No problem, drcruz. If you still have questions, toss 'em out and the crew around here can take a stab at answering them. Outlaw's support team is also very knowledgeable.

Mono:

1. Outlaw 970 is in the same class as the Emo LMC-1. The MMC-1 is in a higher class. There should be no comparison between the two...

2. Don't forget to factor in the fact that with the MMC-1, you can get 40% off Emotiva's next gen processor.

Analog Bypass is the way to go with the 970, I have had excellent results with the 5.1 inputs and using a squeezebox with analog bypass. However, you will need another bass management solution, as the analog bass management crossover is much to high to be useful with anything but small bookshelf speakers.

I don't know that I agree with that entirely. I would agree that big floorstanding towers can work well with a lower crossover point, but 80Hz is the crossover point recommended by THX for a reason, and it's likely to be a good match with most surrounds and centers as well as almost any bookshelf.

Wow my ears must be burning. I just dropped in to post an opinion on the very "analog bypass" and "run the speakers in large" subject.

A co-worker(Craig) and myself(Daniel) helped a 3rd co-worker(Paul) set up a Blu-Ray HT system.

Setup:
- Used VMPS RM-2's (for mains)
- Outlaw 970 in External 7.1 mode (for 5.1 Analog volume control and no processing)
- Emotiva LPA-1
- Sony BDP-300 Blu-Ray player (source for movies + CD's, in 5.1 analog out)
- Mix of Blue Jean and generic cables (IC's and Speaker)

My co-worker purchased the Outlaw 970 and Emotiva LPA-1 per my suggestion and the RM-2's were Craig's suggestion.

I personally like to run the pre-amp in full analog bypass, having the DVD player do all the processing (or in my friend's case, have the Blu-ray player do the processing) and run everything in Large. Since I've never heard the Outlaw 970 before, we experimented between "analog bypass and speakers in LARGE" and the more traditional "digital, bass managed signal, w/ crossover set to 80Hz". The digital, bass managed signal had more detail, but it sounded tinny and harsh. We both agreed that "analog bypass" sounded better and more natural.

This was all in 2-channel music, and I didn't have time to play any movies. I do have a hard time believing the idea that there are systems that sound better for music and systems that sound better for movies. What matters though is Paul is VERY happy w/ the setup.

Anyway just stopping by. Thanks for all the 970 help, it is a VERY nice pre-amp.

Cheers

Glad to hear that it has worked out well!

I haven't SPL'd it, but the bypass seems to be much higher than 80Hz. There was a review stating similar, but I can't find it anymore as all the review links are dead. But there is no doubt that the 80Hz bypass, doesn't sound good with my speakers anyway. Pickup/borrow a 970 and give it a try sometime.

Interesting - didn't remember hearing that. I vaguely recall my 950's crossover landing pretty well on target for 80Hz...