Outlaw vs. Arcam
Arcam AVR300 receiver - $1999.00
Outlaw 990 pre / 7125 power amp – separates $1898.00
After first spending a few days auditioning the Arcam AVR300 a few weeks ago, I ordered the Outlaw 990 Preamp Processor / 7125 7x125w Power Amp. Both the Outlaw and Arcam have been highly praised in reviews. For me, one of the most important issues was the audio quality for 2 channel listening.
Outlaws arrived a little over one week ago and I have been breaking them in since then with the intent of bringing the Arcam back to do the shoot out this past weekend.
After picking up the Arcam and setting the system up, I used an RS DB meter to set the output signals as close as possible.
BUILD QUALITY
AVR300: Very well built, compact unit. Simple functional front panel controls.
OUTLAW 990/7125 – both very well built. The 990 is HUGE – based on Sherwood’s P965 and is the same size but completely different in appearance and programming. The 7125 is more compact at 5.75” tall – but still wide/deep and VERY heavy for its size (51lbs). A massive 1.6kv toroidal transformer and 7 amp modules with massive heat sinks keep the amp running cool and quiet.
I refer you to the websites for all the specs for all units. Outlaw:
www.outlaw.com. Arcam:
http://www.arcam.co.uk/prod_diva_AVR300_intro.cfm REMOTES: Both Arcam and Outlaw use the same Universal Electronics Catalyst 48 customized for each product. A simple but effective remote. Outlaw also supplies a 2nd smaller remote for a second Zone that you can feed from the 990 if desired.
OVERVIEW:
Arcam did some market research that indicated most people prefer an integrated receiver over separate components for Home Theater. Being an audio company first, Arcam set about designing a receiver that offered outstanding audio quality for 2 channel listening AND 7 channel Home Theater capabilities, well built with a target price under $2000.00.
Outlaw’s goal for the 990 ($1099.00) was to provide an outstanding Preamp processor with balanced and non balanced outputs and the latest Dolby, DTS, Pro Logic, etc processing, including DVI video – intentional chosen since HDMI is still a moving target. The 7125 was design to offer the best sounding 125 watt per channel amplifier for under a $1000.00. In addition they offer bundled pricing which reduces the price to 1898.00 for the 990/7125 combo.
TEST RESULTS:
ARCAM AVR300: Arcam engineering has done a great job of meeting the design objective. The receiver is lighter than I expected, but still has a good bit of heft to its weight. Setup is straight forward and the HT sound processing is outstanding. Again, I refer you to the website for details. The AVR300 offers an analog bypass for 2 channel that turns off all the video processing to minimize interference. Home Theater sound was outstanding. Details in Master and Commander were stunning. Same is true for the opera scene in the 5th Element.
2 channel audio: VERY detailed sound. Soundstage was quite good as was instrument placement. Bass was tight, mids were detailed and highs were accurate but never harsh unless the recording itself was harsh. This is a VERY “musical sounding” HT receiver and I think many people would find it provides a very satisfying music listening experience.
OUTLAW 990/7125: Outlaw has also done an outstanding job with the 990 features and performance offering a large number of features including being able to convert PCM to 192/24. The 990 also has a 7.1 pure direct analog input path that bypasses ALL video processing to provide the most direct signal path. The 7125 is a real steal offering 125x7 at 8ohms and 190x7 at 4ohms – ALL channels driven. The amp does what a great amp should do: it amplifies the signal and does it without coloring the sound in the process. I would describe it as quite neutral – not harsh. These 2 units come in at about 80lbs so a good rack is required.
Home Theater sound on the 990 was also excellent. Master and Commander had deck creaks and other small sounds that made one think you were below deck with others walking above you. Dynamic range was stunning. The 5th Element soundstage was also excellent. Bass remained tight never sloppy. The 990 more than met my needs for great sound processing for movies.
2 channel audio: VERY detailed sound. Soundstage was quite good as was instrument placement. Bass was tight, mids detailed and highs accurate not harsh. Instrument placement was focused creating a very wide and tall sound stage.
ARCAM vs. OUTLAW
On the OUTLAW 990/7125 - live recordings sounded like the band was in the room - the “system” just disappeared. Details such as finger noise as the guitarist slid up and down the neck of a Nylon string guitar made it sound like he was right there – just to the left of the singer and slightly behind – with the acoustic bass centered and behind the singer and slight further back than the guitarist.
On the Arcam AVR300 – detail was also quite good, but by contrast (and ONLY by contrast) to the 990, live recordings sounded less like a live band and more like a recording of a live band. I did the shootout with another friend present and we both noted that the Arcam sounded more compressed – a little less dynamic than the Outlaw combo. It was still one of the BEST sounding receivers we’ve ever heard – and clearly BETTER than his Denon 3802 receiver – but the Outlaw sounded better. The two companies products share a similar sonic quality, but the Outlaw seemed to have more – more detail, more refinement to the sound stage – better depth front to back and side to side. Echo decay was excellent on both - with the Outlaw sounding “faster” (God, I hate to use over blown audiophile terms – but in this case it’s the best I can do) as though the dynamic range from something loud to something soft was more lifelike in decay. Snare drums had a 3 dimensional quality – like it was a 5.5” deep snare vs. a 6.5”deep snare – you could hear the snare decay within the drum itself, just like a real drum.
I focused on two tracks that had a great mix and a variety of acoustic instruments with vocals. There were pronounced differences in the echo decay on an instrument, the position of the instrument within the mix, and the overall dynamic changes within the song.
Arcam - Nylon string guitar's echo was heard as a distinct echo in the right speaker - Outlaw had the echo eminating FROM the guitar to the right speaker as though the guitar was in a large room when recorded. It was more direct. Instruments that were back in the mix on the Arcam were more forward and distinct on the Outlaws - sounding like there was less smearing of the individual instrument parts - easier to hear each instrument within the mix.
Bottom line: Arcam is an outstanding receiver.....but - Outlaw's 990/7125 is better to MY ears. The Arcam goes back - Outlaws are here for the long haul.
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