I just received my updated 950 also. Sent them an email on Tuesday and here it is. I will give my impressions of it when I have time to hook it up but this weekend is looking pretty busy (with football and all ). I know, poor me.

I hooked up the red dot version last night. The hiss is reduced but not completly eliminated. (It is at a very exceptable level). The volume is lower for the same dB setting. For me the old unit at -25db is about the same as the new unit at -19db. To me it seems like a calibration of the knob.

Oh, well then I guess I can't trade my 950 in for the new one, after all. I use and heavily depend on the 3-second delay.

------------------
Matthew J. Hill
matt@idsi.net

Let's see, that's 6db less gain - I wonder if the noise reduction is also about 6db...that would seem to indicate that they got the noise down by simply reducing the gain of the preamp by 6db......naaah....that would be too simple (-;

Would you mind letting me know where you were on the original list? I was 17th but haven't been contacted yet. Thanks

Also received mine today. The hiss/noise is way way way reduced. So far reduced, I'm gettin nutin. Help, my new 950 won't power up. Checked the wall outlet (other equipment is workin from it), on/off switch is on in back, even tried "reset" (remove volume knob/toothpick at hole at 9:00 from manual), and nothing. Damn, wish I would of plugged in first/before unhooking/hooking everything up. Ideas anyone??

I received my "red dot" replacement 950 on 9/6. The unit looked as new as my original when it was received. My initial listening to the replacement 950 on a few of my favorite DVDs indicated a better signal to noise level that translated into cleaner sound and more intelligible dialog at low volume levels. Hiss level appears lower, but hiss was not entirely eliminated.

On the "Diana Krall Live in Paris" a side comment directed to another band member was more audible. On "Lord of the Rings" some of the dialog was easier to discern over the music and LFE.

Unlike some of the posts, I did not notice any significant difference in the volume relative to my original 950. There may be a 1 or 2 db difference on the volume control to achieve a given sound level.

In all, I am happy with my decision to seek a replacement and am pleased with Outlaw Audio's efforts to address the problem. Many companies would have discounted the problem publicly and continued shipments, while quietly offering those who were most persistent in their complaints a discount on a repair or replacement. As a former owner of the Panasonic A310 DVD player, I have first hand experience with such practices.

For those still awaiting their 950, my recommendation is to hang in there a little longer. It appears Outlaw Audio now has the bugs out, is ready to ship in volume and the 950 will at last realize its potential.

Mike

Matthew, what is so important in your setup that you "heavily depend on the 3-second delay" ?

"Let's see, that's 6db less gain - I wonder if the noise reduction is also about 6db...that would seem to indicate that they got the noise down by simply reducing the gain of the preamp by 6db......naaah....that would be too simple "

I don't think so since the hiss was volume independent.

TPS

If the final gain stage had 6db less gain than before, the noise floor would be also 6db lower, independent of the volume control. I really don't think they would take this 'easy out' though - would they........would they?

Isn't it ironic that in the era of digital, many units fall flat on the one spec where digital is supposed to be superior to analog: noise level. The Outlaw 950 isn't the only unit by a long shot to be noisier than it should be.



[This message has been edited by soundhound (edited September 07, 2002).]