I previously had the Sherwood AV-P9080 as my preamp and am currently using the 5 channel AM-9080 as my amplifier with my Outlaw 950.
In pure 5.1 for DTS and DD, and in stereo or pass-through, the Outlaw is sonically equivalent to the Sherwood IMO. (Important note: I had an ICBM with my 9080 between the preamp and the amplifier at all times so Ihad "Triple crossover" functionality that is not part of the Sherwood).
Where the Outlaw shines, at least in a 5.1 system, is with Dolby Prologic II. DPLII is a major upgrade from regular prologic and watching any prologic material is greatly superior on the Outlaw.
Now, if you're upgrading to 6.1 or 7.1 (which are not really doable in my room so I'm not interested), there are going to be sigificant benefits there. If you're sticking with 5 channel I don't think there's any reason to replace your amplifier. The Sherwood Newcastle AM-9080 is an excellent powerhouse of an amp, I really like mine a lot.
The Outlaw uses the same OEM remote, but it is much better implemented than the Sherwood. I never used the Sherwood version of the remote, but I use the Outlaw one as my main remote.
If your Sherwood prepro is working (Mine was not functioning, but that's a long story I don't care to repeat - suffice it to say that I broke it singlehandedly and it was not any fault of Sherwood), I would recommend waiting to see what Sherwood has to offer. If you need an equivalent pre/pro right away as I did, the Outlaw is the only way to go.
That is if they serve you in your country. I don't know if they can. Sherwood definitely can - important!
Of course the Sherwood won't be made by Eastech, Sherwood is the brand name for another OEM company that competes with Eastech!
Take a look at my modest home theater now and pictures of the changes over the years
here. Please save the derogatory comments about my 7 year old NTSC RPTV....
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Philip Hamm
[This message has been edited by Philip Hamm (edited May 23, 2003).]