undecide between 7200 and 7700

hello everyone,

Should I buy 7700 amp right now 'cause it is on sale for $1829.00( does it ever getting lower than at this price)? or I should wait until Memorial Day to pull trigger to buy 7200 if it's on sale for less than $1849.00. Beside that, how is 7200 compare to 7700? are there any difference between those two? I have a Denon AVR-4308ci for preamp so I don't really need balance for connection.

My HT system is: LSi15, LSiC, 2 pair of LSiFX and a couple Polk Sub.

Thanks for all the Help.

Minh.

If you can get the 7700 for the same price as the 7200 I would go for it. The 7700 balanced amp whereas the 7200 is not. It might not make too much difference unless you want to use XLR connections over long runs. For most people it doesn't matter.

It's taken me alot longer than I expected to get to this point, but my Home Theater will be carpeted this coming weekend so now it's time to start on the components. Just ordered the amp, a Model 7700.
Next step is to order loudspeakers. The work is almost over and the fun begins.

Congrats Strider on the ordering of the 7700. You will not need another amp at all.

Minh..go for the best amp you can afford. The 7700 is the best in 7 channel between it and the 7200. Common mode rejection is only available on the top tier amps(7500/7700/7900). The best hook ups are XLR, especially for longer runs but as XenonMan said you may or may not notice a difference. XLRs are not prone to static charges. Do you live where there are a lot of electrical storms?

I don't know if we have a lot of electrical storms but we have enough.
A good surge protector is on my list of must haves for the Home Theater compoments.

I have all my stuff protected with APC H-15 surge/voltage protection. My houses also have whole house surge protection. I live in South Florida and we regularly get bad storms. I have not had any issues with anything powered from the H-15s although they might not be big enough for a 7700 plus other equipment. My electric company installed whole house protection for $75 and it took less than a hour of downtime.

Thanks everyone for the input. Yes, I did order 7700 amp and will have it by this Friday. I can't wait to try it out 'cause it's a final piece of my HT system.

Congrats Minh. Let us know how it sounds and what you feel after you receive your amp.

Especially let us know how you feel when you pick it up and try to move it around. You made a great choice. For all round use I think the 7500/7700 are the best choices Outlaw has. There is almost nothing that can't be driven by them and they are solidly built.

Hey all,

Just got back home from the local Fed ex hub. I have forgotten what this kind of weight felt like.
After carrying it fifty feet all I could think of was to find a place to set it down, quickly!
Once I have the 7700 in place its not moving!

Thanks for all your thoughts on Outlaw equipment.

Strider,

They should have had Advil included with your purchase. Waiting to hear your critique on your 7700. I totally agree with what XenonMan stated above on the 7500/7700 as performers.

I am considering getting a 7500, but I am intrigued by the 7 channel amps, especially the 7200. I wonder if I should get a 7200 over a 7500? Would the quality be diminished if I went with the unbalanced 7200? Would it be better to go with the 7700 if I decided to go with 7 channels?

Btw, I am not planning on using XLR connections, since I will be using an AVR as a pre/pro. I currently have an Onkyo TX-DS989 receiver and will be upgrading it soon to either a Denon AVR-4520CI, or an Onkyo TX-NR3010.

I am planning on ordering a brand new 7500, or a B-stock 7200 or a B-stock 7700.

What do you think? Thanks for any help.

Unless you are going to have long cable runs between the AVR and the amp the XLR connectors will not provide a higher quality connection except that the XLR connections are mechanically stronger. You can't go wrong with any of the amps as far as I am concerned. I bought my 7500 because it was on sale at the time. I also have a 7125 in case I need more channels but my 5.1 setup is perfect for me.

Thanks for your help. I would have the amp connected a few inches away from the receiver. I currently have a 7.3 setup and am thinking of upgrading to either 9.3 or 11.3, or possibly remaining at 7.3. I plan on having the LCR speakers connected to the amp, along with a pair of either surround, surround back, front wide, or front height speakers. I was thinking of putting 5 or 7 channels on an amp and leaving the rest for the receiver.

So for me the 7700 would not provide much benefit over the 7200? Also, would I get much benefit over having the amp do 7 of the channels, instead of just 5, if the amp was already doing the main LCR channels? I will be doing almost 100% movie watching, btw. Thanks again.

Any Outlaw amp will more than likely have much more power per channel than the receiver. Recievers are not typically rated honestly as "all channels driven". Usually receivers are rated using only one or two channels driven. The 7200 would fit your needs now and if you decide to upgrade later. You can always let the receiver handle the surrounds which don't required much power to run.

I use a Marantz SR6006 as a pre/pro with the 7700. I have used the 6006 without the 7700 just to hear what the receiver had. The results are pleasant, not blow you away great but adequate.
To my ears, with the 7700 my system comes alive.
Played Phil Collins "Live in Berlin" last night and knew I was right there in the audience with this big smile from ear to ear.
You will not be unhappy with the 7700 or 7500 model amp. I purchased a new 7700 but I have heard others on this Forum who purchased B stock and are completely satisfied.

I will probably be getting a new 7500 or a B-stock 7200. I wonder when Outlaw Audio has sales? How much did you get your 7500 for XenonMan? I was searching Google and noticed that the 7900 was going for $2249 during the November 2011 Black Friday Secret Door Super Sale. If the 7700 is seriously discounted, soon, I may get that.

I got mine for $1199 about three years ago during an Amp sale. Outlaw will have a black Friday sale but they also do several amp sales a year. When they bring out the 975 it will likely be available in a combo with an amp. Also look for their free shipping deals. These amps are heavy and the shipping is substantial.

Thanks a lot. I will be watching out for any sales that may occur from now until the holiday season.