Mike- Wow.

In the past 5 years, I have had A sony TA-E9000ES, the 950, and now a Lexicon MC-8 in my system. The 950 more than held it's own against both of those higher priced (and in the Lexicon's case, much higher priced) pre/pros.

Backside conectors: I disagree. DVD-A/SACD noise level: I disagree. The hiss problem: I actually consider this a win for Outlaw, because not only did they go back *once* and address it, but they went back again, even though at that point in time, only 1 - 2% of customers were complaining about it, and they finally fixed it once and for all. Comparison data point: Rotel is *still* shipping the 1066 with the double bass problem that you cannot not get around except if you open the unit up, voiding the warranty, and cut two resistors. LFE: again a win, because everybody got it fixed for free. *EVEN THOUGH THE 950 WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE SOFTWARE UPGRADEABLE.*

Cheap finish: I disagree. I thought it was very well built. I personally didn't like the green Fisher Price Power button or the rubbery volume knob, but neither of those items had anything to do with how it performed.