Hello all:

As the subject of this post states, I'm thinking of replacing my Outlaw 950 / Harman Kardon PA-5800 combination with an Outlaw 1070. The main reason is to simplify my setup - to replace two components with one. The additional inputs and capabilities are also nice too. In general, what do most of you think? I already know I'll be giving something up by going to an integrated component from the separates, and I'm sure there are other questions to be asked before an opinion can be drawn properly, but I'll also take any short answers as well. Thanks!

Hi eliu01,

I just got a 1070 two weeks ago...
so my opinion might be slightly biased...
(I still get a little woody when I see it !!!)

It looks good...
only 16 knobs and buttons on the face plate !!!
it sounds great in my small\medium living room
My mirage speakers never sang like that...
(and my sub is still in the shop...I can only imagine...I haven't really touched the bass management yet))
the video switching and up-conversion to component out is great...

It clearly lives up to all the Outlaw claims...

Most of the beefs and quirks...I've had or seen in the saloon seem to be user related...
You just gotta know your machine...

In your case...you have to figure out your needs...
DVI ? HDMI ?
How many video\audio in ? Multi-room ?
power ? room size or speaker size ?
you can always had power to 1070...
Do you want a gazillion buttons on your faceplate ?
Can you wait more than a week for a toy you just bought ?(that was the hardest from me, it took only 5 working days to get it in canada and customs hung on to it for 36 hours)

Lastly... My business partner/friend owns an Anthem AVM 30+ PVA7 + mirage speaker set-up wich costs several thousands more...
Altough it has all the fluff (multi room, THX ultra2, Balanced in/out, bass management)
it has no video conversion what so ever....
It sounds amazing...and LOUD !!!
But the 1070 is a very nice ride compared to it...you do the math...

Good luck !!!
Have fun with your quest...

I've got a question - have you considered keeping the amp and getting a 970? I'm not familiar with the HK amp to know how it would compare to the 1070's internal amps, which is why I ask. Granted, it doesn't simplify the setup, but it would get you the extra inputs and capabilities of the 1070 without giving up the benefits (such as larger amp power supply) of separates.

I did consider the 970, after checking it out immediately after I made my original post. But my main motivation is to reclaim rack space by replacing two components with one, and I am hoping that the 1070 would not be a disappointment compared to the 950/PA-5800 combination I've been enjoying for the last ~4 years. I figure that going with the 1070 would be the best way to match (or come close to) the performance of the 950/PA-5800 with a receiver.

Well, if I do make the switch, does anyone know someone in the market for a pre/pro and amplifier?

It depends on the sensitivity of your speakers, but the 65 watt amp might not be enough for you, if you're used to more power. Also, I'm not sure how much you can get for your preamp and amp, but it might be more cost efficient to just get the 970 and keep your amp.

Personally though, my speakers are very sensitive, so I have absolutely no complaints about the 1070.

JHoff80 raises a good point. What's the power rating of the PA-5800? If it's in the vicinity of the 1070's 65 watts, then you could potentially make the change and come out fine. If it's 200W, then the question becomes: what speakers do you have? That can help determine if those speakers need the extra power or not.

As for clearing out the used gear, Audiogon is a good place to sell stuff like the 950 and the PA-5800.

According to the HK web site, the PA 5800 is 5x80@8 ohms. Given that it is about then years old, it is probably a classic HK amp design that would mate very well with a 970 if you are only going with a 5.1 system.

With so much in transition, a 970/5800 combo isn't such a bad idea -- you give up the smaller space of going to a 1070, but you retain the flexibility to switch to something newer in a year or two. On the other hand, though it has a bit less power (albeit with 7 channels instead of 5), the 1070 should be very close, if not equal to the 5800 in almost any situation since it is rare that you'll have something in all seven channels at the same time.

Either way, you get the same basic feature set, and that's a winner.

5x80W? Thanks for doing the research, PodBoy. I'm always leery of suggesting folks move away from separates (it's been such a good approach for me), which is why I initially suggested the 970 as an option. If eliu01 could stand to keep the PA-5800 in the equipment rack, that would definitely be a good approach to take. On the other hand, the 1070's amp section is likely to perform comparably to the 5800 so long as the speakers being used aren't a low-impedance (4 ohm) load. I'm still partial to staying with separates, but at least in this case you aren't really sacrificing power by going to a receiver. And if rack space clears up in a few years, the 1070 could still be used with an amp like the 7075 or 7125 (assuming the 5800's going to end up up Audiogon to help finance the 1070).

Thanks to everyone who have contributed thus far. To answer some of the questions posed, I have an Atlantic Technology System T90, which is a 5.1 system. The LR and surround speakers are rated at 85dB and the center is rated at 88dB, all with 6 ohm impedance. They sound great with the 950/PA-5800, and I would hope that the 1070 would drive them just as well.

Thanks again guys!