I am looking for a good / great pre/pro for not alot of money. (who isn't) My system currently consists of:

Polk LSI speakers (Lsi15 fronts, Lsi7 rears, LsiC center)
An amplifier from a company called CinePro. (amp is their 3k6 MkI - 6 channel amp, 500watts/channel at 4 ohms)
SVS 25-31CS+ subwoofer. (run off one channel of my CinePro amp)
An old Onkyo 777 AVR that is currently being used as a pre-amp only. (all speakers are run off the Cinepro)

I had a friend stop by with his Rotel 1066 (old model) and War of the Worlds sounded incredible. Light years better than my Onkyo AVR.

I use my system for 90% movies, 10% concert dvds, cds, and radio listening.


Requirements (or nice to haves):

My amp will accept balanced inputs, so I would like that functionality in a pre-amp. (not needed, but I like to play with things like that just to see if I hear a difference)

A tuner would be nice to be built in.

5 channel is fine (not moving to 7.1 in the next 5 years)

My budget is under $1500 and used is fine. I would be comparing the outlaw against older 5 channel pre/pro's in my budget range.


Considerations:

Right now OutLaw seems to fit the bill perfectly. (to perfectly) I feel like I must be missing something - (it cant be this easy)

Other brands I am considering are:

integra reseach RDC 7(close to my budget used)
Classe SSP-25 or SSP-30.
Lexicon DC-2 (not sure about this one)
Sherwood Newcastle P965 (what the 990 is based on, I can get it about the same price but the Outlaw has more features that I want)
Rotel 1068 - just because the 1066 sounded so good with my system, I don't want to discount Rotel.

Since I am considering purchasing used, I do not have much of an opportunity to compare between different pre/pro's prior to purchasing, so I would love to hear any of your opionions on the matter.

So what do you think? Has anyone heard the 990 with Polk Lsi Speakers? How do you think they went together. (was the combo to laid back, was the bass good, etc?) Can anyone recommend any of the other pre/pro's as comparable (or better than) the outlaw if DD and DTS 5.1 tracks are its main intended usage?

Thanks,

Michael

I gotta admit, the 990 sounds perfect for you.

Check out this thread in this forum:
http://ubb.outlawaudio.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/ubb/get_topic/f/34/t/000170.html

There are a few Polk LSi owners in here that sound very happy with the combination.

If you haven't done so already, a look at my pre/pro chart might help you along. The chart probably needs a little updating (maybe in the next couple months I'll update it to include some newcomers like the Anthems that are due out soon), but it might give you some ideas. The 990 is an excellent fit for you, but that's OK - it really can be that easy. There are a number of LSi owners operating Outlaw gear very successfully.

You will likely get some mixed opinions on the Rotel 1066 and 1068. Personally, I preferred my old Outlaw Model 950 to a co-worker's 1068-based system, but I never heard the 1068 in my system to see what the sonic differences between the two processors might be. After moving from the 950 to the 990, however, I think the 990 will be a better fit for most people (not everyone, perhaps, but that's the nature of all things). The Classe SSP-30 is an older unit with less flexible bass management and no component video switching. When considering the Lexicon, you might find the comments from darthsimon comparing the 990 to a Lexicon MC-1 useful. Between the P-965 and the 990, I'd go with the 990 for the extra features, especially if you want to play with balanced outputs (which the 965 lacks).

As a previous owner of a 777, all I can say is you'll be real happy with the upgrade (Outlaw, Rotel, Lexicon, or classe)!

I ugraded from my Onkyo 777 to a "used" Parasound AVC-2500 preamp (new in 2000 cost $3500) and a HCA-2205 amp and there was no turning back. Eventually the upgrade bug moved me to try Prologic 2 and seven chanel, etc. I now have the 990 / 770 combo.

As far as Outlaw pre-amps go, I'd defintely pick the 990 over the 950! To me the 950 was a step down from the Parasound in 2 channel. The 990 is just a great piece of equipment sonically (stereo / multi channnel everything). It holds value. . . and comes with a 5 year warrantly . . . I sent my AVC-2500 back to Parasound twice for servicing, which came out of my pocket because I bought used . . .

The 990 will fit your budget (assuming you're keeping your amp), has the balanced outs and features you want, is a great piece of gear, and you can audition it for 30 days with your Polks. Seems like a no brainer.

Being new to surround (5.1 etc) I pulled the trigger and bought the 990. Using the same amp for comparison to pre-990 days in stereo, I felt there was an improvement in sonic quality.

You won't be disappointed. The attributes of the 990 including its relatively low price make it the nobrainer as suggested abvoe.

Thanks for all the great replies. Since the Outlaw is the only pre/pro I am considering purchasing new, I have limited opportunites to compare to other equipment.

I can only purchase this once (for the next 5 years or so) so I hate to make a mistake and think - "I wish I would have purchased this instead."

I am sure whatever I get will be light years beyond the AVR that I have now, and I will be totally satisfied with the purchase. The telling time will be when I hear someone elses home theater and decide if I like mine better or theirs....

Michael