I have Totem Staff fronts and Totem Rokk rear speakers and looking at upgrading from my Yamaha AV receiver. 8ohm speakers and I think they rate at 125 watts. Very nice speakers but I have never heard them the way they should have been heard - I have $3500 CDN in speakers on a $800 receiver and am fairly happy but the receiver is old and Pro Logic. Looking at the PRE/PRO from Outlaw for 30% movies/ 70% audio. Wondering if 770 is worth the extra cash. I hate pro logic and usually listen to movies in 4-speaker mode. Was looking at Denon 3805. Any advice... thanks in advance

I am new to HT and just upgraded my Nakamichi 2 channel to the 950/7100 combination...I think 100 watts per channel is just fine but if you have the bux...many will say "more is better!"
I am happy with mine so far through Klipsch speakers...Good Luck with your decision.
Bill

It really depends on the size of your room and the efficiency of your speakers. Because your speakers are 8 ohms and rated at 125 watts per-channel, which generally 8 ohm speakers are relatively efficient, I would think that the 7100 should be more than enough power. If it is a large open area, you may need to step up to the 770.

I went with the 770 because my speakers’ sensitivity is in the mid-eighties for one watt of power versus the average speaker, which hovers around ninety decibels for one watt. If you've read this forum widely, you’ve discovered that some of soundhound’s speakers are very efficient, in the mid-100’s per watt. That means that whatever sound pressure level soundhound can produce at about 1 watt in some frequencies, I need to pump about 100 watts into my speakers to listen to those frequencies at the same level.

In any case, because in general the Outlaw’s power ratings are solid and conservative, the 7100 is likely a great match for your speakers. Even if the 770 could easily pump a clean, continuous 200 watts to your speakers, would that be a good idea?

Usually the reason to lean in the direction of having amplifier power above that of the speakers’ ratings is to delivery sudden, sharp demands for power very cleanly, even if the power momentarily exceeds a speaker’s rating. I wouldn’t want to push a 50 watt per channel amplifier really hard trying to get thunderous volume out of 125 watt rated speakers because potential clipping and distortion can harm a loudspeaker and/or a passive crossover more quickly than momentary but cleanly delivered power exceeding your speakers rating from a large amp.

If you have money to spare, or a bad case of “watt lust fever,” the 770 is not likely to hurt your speakers unless you push the amp and speakers really hard for a sustained time. Otherwise, I doubt you’ll be disappointed with the 7100.

If you try the 7100 and feel that doubling the watts would help, you can always trade up to the 770 within the 30 day trial period. The 7100’s shipping would be your only trade-up cost that is lost in the long run. Check your speakers’ sensitivity before you make up your mind. I’m guessing that they are very near or above 90 db per watt.

Thanks everyone for your input. I really want the 770 but money is a consideration...especially since I want the new Outlaw sub. My room is 13 X 22 with an 8' ceiling, carpet, etc. The Staff speakers are very effecient, the Rokks seem to be somewhat less effecient.

Anyone have any thoughts on on whether the technology of the 950 pre will be obsolete in the near term?

I was in the same boat...I got the 7100...I hate to admit it but I do have a bit of 755/770 envy but I think this will be fine for my needs...
Bill

I just purchased a 950/755/LFM-1...

I had been going back and forth between 100W and 200W senario... I was leaning towards the 7100 because I know I eventually wanted a 7.1 setup and even though I only had the speakers for a 5.1 setup.

After sitting down with my wife, yes my wife, we talked about what I really wanted long term and what $$$ I had to spend now... I explained to her that I really wanted 200W but also wanted a 7.1 system. I then proceded to explain to her the 7100/770/and 755+(2)M200 scenarios... After the conversation she thought I should go with the 755 for my current setup and down the road when some money free's up I can then add the M200 for the remaining channels...

So, there is how I decided my delima... My wife... Gotta love her...

So, to make a long story short I ended up going with a 950/755/LFM-1 combo now and will later upgrade to a 7.1 system by purchasing the (2) M200 amplifiers...

But the biggest thing out of all this is I will never had to sit back and say... SHOULD I HAVE BOUGHT the 200W amplifier... And for me and knowing how I am, that is what I would have done...

Plus it also give me choices should I ever wanted to change my speakers...

Note: My theater is 14x24 and my Paradigm speakers have an efficiency of 90dB...

I always believed you couldn't have too much clean power, but since the amp wouldn't be driving full range speakers in my HT, I opted to give the 7100 a try, figuring I could trade up if that rich uncle I don't know about kicked the bucket and left everything to me. Well the 7100 proved to be more than capable for my 7.1 setup, in a 19x13 room. Very clean and silent.
As for the 950 being obsolete, I find it does everything I need, and does it well. It may not have the latest bells and whistles or connectivity options, but it is a high quality piece of equipment, and a steal at the price.