If you have visited the Outlaw Saloon in the past few days you have probably noticed a new section under “Preamplifiers, Processors and Receivers” titled Model 990. Since that post was started on April 1, it was natural for some of you to suspect that it was an April Fool’s gag, but as many of you have guessed from the additional images that have since been posted, the Model 990 is our new Preamp/Processor/Tuner. (For those who have not yet seen the images, you may access them through their own thread in the Model 990 section of the Outlaw Saloon. http://ubb.outlawaudio.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=34;t=000002 )

This is a very real product that goes to the heart of our theme for this month: “It may be April, but we ain't fool'n!”

In service to that theme, we want to make this statement right up front: the pictures in the Saloon are not mock-ups, prototypes or samples. They are photos of the first units off the production line that were sent to the Hideout via air freight for incoming quality inspection. “WE AIN’T FOOL’N!” This is not something off in the distance. Rather, it has gone through an eighteen month development and alpha and beta test processes. The first production run has been completed and a shipment is on the water to us as you read this.

Within the next week to ten days you will receive a more complete Newsletter with full details and specifications on the Model 990. But now that the cat is out of the bag, it is appropriate that we let you in on what we are confident will be a worthy successor to the Model 950 as the best value in home theater. (As a side note, the Model 950 continues to be available for those with strict budgets.)

By way of top-line bullets, here are the Model 990’s key features:

- Full-featured surround processor/tuner with Dolby Digital EX, ProLogicIIx, Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby Headphone, DTS, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6 and Stereo Bypass modes.
- Unmatched range of audio, video and digital inputs including two-input DVI switching (video-compatible with HDMI), three high-bandwidth (over 100 MHz) component video inputs, high-quality phono input, five optical digital inputs, two coaxial digital inputs, USB input for computer audio playback, “direct” inputs with bass management for use with DVD-A, SACD and future high-def DVD players and multiple analog audio, video and S-Video inputs. (Yes, we know you would have preferred that HDMI be included in this list of inputs. We would have loved to include HDMI, but it is still a technology in transition and it is possible that the currently available implementations may not be upgradeable. The combination of DVI and “direct” analog inputs insures compatibility with future formats and players.)
- High performance 192/24 DACs on all output channels feeding both balanced audio outputs and standard line level audio outputs. Stereo subwoofer outputs.
- Powerful configuration system with quadruple crossover bass-management, renameable inputs, automated setup for speaker size, delay and output levels.
- Lip sync delay individually adjustable for each video input up 250 mS for perfect image-to-sound alignment with digital video displays, processors and sources.
- Stereo up-sampling of all PCM and analog input signals to 192 kHz.
- Upgradeable software and firmware via either RS-232 or USB connection.
- High quality video cross-conversion from composite or S-Video to component, with menus visible on the component output.
- Full multi-room system, complete with remote for second zone.

We’ll save the complete details for our next Newsletter, but there is one more item to reveal at this time. Taking a look at the preliminary feature list shown above you might wonder what the price is. After the beta testers looked at the Model 990’s features and build quality, and most importantly compared its sonic quality to some very expensive competitors, they guessed that even when considering Outlaw’s tradition of value priced products the Model 990’s price could be north of $2,000.

The Outlaws have always promised that “The best values in home theater are only a mouse click away”™, and the Model 990 more than meets that pledge.

The introductory price, guaranteed for the next 90 days, is $1,099. We could say more about the price, but we think it speaks for itself.

At this point, only one big question is left: “When?” Although the first shipment is on the water and we have a reasonable idea of the transit time, increased port security and other inland transportation issues beyond our control make it difficult to tell when the units will hit the warehouse. Thus, rather than set too optimistic a date and risk disappointment, we will simply estimate availability within the next 30 to 45 days. We should have a better handle on the ship date within the next two weeks, and at that time we will start a reservation list. Although reservations and initial shipments will be on a “first come-first served” basis, we want to be fair and make certain that everyone has equal notice as to when the list will open.

The Model 990 has been a stealth project for us for well over two years, and we know that you are anxious to have more details and to see and hear it for yourself. In addition to what will come in our next Newsletter, the Model 990 will be part of our expanded demo room at the Home Entertainment Show in New York at the end of the month, along with pre-production samples of the Model 1070 receiver, RR 2150 RetroReceiver and perhaps some other surprises. Plan your trip now!

And we AIN'T FOOL’N AROUND!

Regards,

The Outlaws