Let me start by saying that I currently own a 990/770 combo. I feel that the 990 is just about as good as it currently gets and to me is a big step up from the old 950!

In addition, I have owned many power amps in the past and the Outlaw amp are a fantastic value! However, I think that when you look at the new options given the XLR outputs on the 990, it opens up the door to higher end amps than outlaw curretnly offers.

My thoughts are a good 5 channel amp for centers & surrounds (say the new Outlaw 7500), plus high end 2 channel for main L/R is a worthy move at this time.

The question is simply, "if price weren't and object, what amp would you buy?" OK let's put a maximum of $5000 for the 2 channel amp option . . . What would you recommend?

i've been partial to b & k for some time,heck,i even own one now.it's a older 6-ch.rotel & classe are a couple other brands i'm impressed with but out of my range.

For five grand you might even consider Krell, although I have never heard one of their amps and don't know how much benefit they'd offer over a Rotel or Classe or even an Outlaw for that matter. Others around here may have more experience with amps in that price range.

My father-in-law's two-channel system (BAT pre, Audio Research CD player, Spendor speakers) uses a pair of bridged two-channel Classe amps.

I've owned a B&K 2 channel amp since 1987. Still sounds great to me! Jim

One other option would be the Macintosh MC402 amp (400wpc at 8/4/2 ohms). Although the list Price is $5,100, you can probably get it for less. See the Mac web site (www.mcintoshlabs.com) for more info and a review.

Bryston or Parasound.

My biases so far:

I have owned a Parasound HCA-2205A 5 channel amp (225 watts per) and I feel that the regular Parasound line is in the same league, or marginally better than the top channel Outlaws. No notable inprovement.

I have also owned in B&K 4330 (220 watts per) gear I feel that it too was on par with Outlaw higher end amps. No improvement!

The only amp I have previously owned that was significantly better than my 770 was The Parasound HCA-2200II. To me this was in a different league. As far as I understand, the new Halo A21 is the decendant of this amp. So far I am leaning in this direction.

Krell and Byston are top on the list too, but I do have not hands on experience here.

if i compare my 1050 to my b&k,the difference is 'small' but a definite improvement.the 1050 is maybe louder so to speak,but lacks the depth and warmth and dynamics on demanding material.1050 =65wpc///b&k=60wpc

i love my outlaw 1050 but overall i think i like my b&k vmr-654 a bit more.

The 1050 is a receiver, not a separate amp - a separate amp (such as the 7125 or upcoming 7500/7700) is intended to perform at a different level than a receiver.

It sounds like you've already made your mind up. Good luck. Jim

For "money is no worry" type applications, the higher end Krell amps are tough to beat.

For money is somewhat of an issue, I've lately been cozying up to the Lyngdorf (formerly TACT) digital stereo amp, the SA2175. That's about $1500 for a stereo amp that puts out 200wpc into 8ohms and 375wpc into 4 ohms. Cheap compared to Krell, but definitely not inexpensive by most people's standards.

I've often wondered why Outlaw didn't do a nice stereo amp, but I just figured they were focusing primarily on the multichannel theater market. I guess they assume someone after stereo separates will just buy a pair of 2200's.

Cheers,