950/7100 Combo vs. Pioneer Elite

Just curious if someone could give me an opinion on this:
I just placed an order for the 950/7100 combo w/ 6 1.2m PCA but I am not sure if this would be a much sound improvement over my existing system that consists of:
* Pioneer Elite VSX-07TX (no analog 5.1 input)
* Toshiba SD-5700 (DVD-Audio)
* Paradigm Studio 60 front, CC-170 center (Studio CC-450 is collecting dust in the closet - too big to fit under the TV), ADP-170 surrounds and Def Tech PF-15TL Power sub.
* Pioneer PDP-5030HD TV.
* Cable HDTV

Main reasons for getting the 950/7100 combo are for DVD-Audio/SACD, great 950 reviews and I did not want to spend over $2K at this time for the pre/pro & amp.

Thanks in advance for the input.

As I understand it, the Pioneer Elite VSX-07TX came out in 1997. Let us know what you think, but I would expect the Outlaw to totally blow the 5 year old Pioneer Elite receiver out of water. For a comparison of the Outlaw to a current Pioneer Elite receiver however, you may wish to peruse this thread: http://ubb.outlawaudio.com/ubb/Forum15/HTML/000766.html

Enjoy!

Will

JkFruit..I have a Elite VSX-26TX(going on 4 years old), and the new 47TX. A friend is buying my 47TX, and in turn I'm buying the 950/755 combo.

Just this past Friday, I received my 2 Outlaw 200 amps and wow! I used both receivers as preamps to compare and couldnt dicern any differences as far as that goes.

Granted, the 47TX is a beast for a receiver. Its amps, from the torture tests I have ran it thru the last 3 months, are of good quality. If any receiver gets my recommendations, its the 47 and 49TX Elites

BUT, as you can tell, I am now going the "seperates" route. The 200's are amazing. My DefTechs love the power, The 47 has tons of it but the 200's definitely have more for reserves.

Get the 950/770 combo. YOu simply cant go wrong. Up to date technology, and the Outlaw amps are killer!

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Play it LoUd!!

While getting the 200 wpc Outlaw should be an improvement compared to the Outlaw 7100 amp (especially if the speakers can accept the additional power), if as in JK's case, $2k is the limit for pre/pro plus amp combo at this time, the 950 plus 9100 combo should still have more real amplification power than most receivers except for the more expensive "super receivers." Also the 950 should sound better than the pre/pro section in most receivers.

However receivers may have three things in their favor compared to the 950+7100 combo, namely: more bells and whistles, less space (which is important if space is an issue), and no pre/pro to amplifier interconnects.

Enjoy the music!

Will

[This message has been edited by Will (edited March 03, 2003).]

Sounds like 950/7100 would be better in many ways than the OLD Elite. I also plan to hook up for 6.1 setting.
The only surround field on the Elite that I use is Dolby Digital (it doesn't even have DTS). Most of other bells and whistles are just a waste...
If not, I'll have 30 days to think hard about the 770...

Go with the 950/770 combo my friend. Even at 100 watts per channel @ 8 ohms..I bet the 7100 has more beef then the new receivers.

Amps in receivers can't match a seperate amp, well thats my opinion. And you wont be dissapointed with your combo.

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Play it LoUd!!

[This message has been edited by SpOoNmAn (edited March 03, 2003).]

Yes definitely. The ambiance surround modes available for your 2 channel inputs (FM, regular CD's, etc.) are much improved. The 950 has ambiance modes like DPL 2 and DTS NEO which are major improvements to the "stadium" and "hall" and "church" ambiance modes from the past. Those modes from the dark past are not even available on the 950. Personally though I still prefer regular stereo without ambiance most (but not all) the time.


[This message has been edited by Will (edited March 03, 2003).]

DHL showed up with a complete 950/7100 & PCA package today at 11:07am and Outlaw notice of shipping email came in at 11:30am. How about that...DHL's delivery is faster than Outlaw's email...

Unfortunately I was not home to receive the package, the DHL note said they'll be back tomorrow. Already feel like getting sick tomorrow...

I read the on ine manuals for both 950 & 7100, neither has shown a trigger is included. However, I recall reading from a prior post that the 770 amp comes with a trigger? Does all the amp comes with a trigger? Wonder if I need to purchase one in advance.

Advice for future...

Depending on your neighborhood ofcourse...

Leave a note or sign on a door, or another place the delivery people can readily see..saying they have permission to leave it somewhere..and sign your name.

I have a breezeway so this works perfectly...and have never been home to receive packages. I have done this for the past 15 years and not once has anything negative happened Time to knock on wood?

The 200's dont come with triggers, but I also remember someone saying the 770 and 755 come with them. Why the 7100 didn't, I have no idea. You'd think it would include it. Especially seeing as how you ordered a combo...wierd huh?

Well, take a sick day and get ready to be blown away! And get back to us ASAP with your impression!

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Play it LoUd!!

I was waiting for the email from Outlaw to give me the tracking number so I can plan to be home...so much for that.
Looks like I'll be busy for the rest of the week...

Busy indeed..but a good busy

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Play it LoUd!!

Yes, they do. The 950 has a main and zone dc trigger jack. Best wishes- and--play it loud!

[This message has been edited by steves (edited March 05, 2003).]

Shipments of the 755, 770 and 7100 all include a trigger cable. Shipments of the Model 200's do not include a trigger cable because these units also have a signal-sensing circuit for auto turn-on.

Scott

[This message has been edited by Scott (edited March 05, 2003).]

My Sunfire Cinema Grand amp has a signal-sensing trigger for auto turn-on, but only on some channels not all. If a channel without auto-sense gets a signal, but the channel with auto-sense does not, my amplifier won't auto turn on.

Does anyone know if the Outlaw 200's signal-sensing circuit works for each channel?

Thanks!

I may not be understanding the question (brain is currently fried from ongoing review meeting at work), but the 200 only has one channel -- so each 200 auto-senses for it's own single channel. Right?

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

gonk's right. Since the M200 is a monoblock, it only has one channel to autosense.