Soundstage, Imaging

None that I can find

As I stated in my review of the Velodyne HGS-10 subwoofer, I've got a large open plan family room/house that eats power. I've always been skeptical of the high end/high power amplifier scene, since my Denon AVR-2700 always sounded very good to me. However, it became rather obvious that with my room size I was really going to need more than 80W to get good sound with adequate volume. So, time for a high power amplifier.

I did some research and listened to some amps at shops, but the Outlaw 750 seemed like the best bet. I don't need the amplifier to drive the bass line, because I have the HGS-10 to do that.

The amplifier showed up before the new Straightwire interconnects I purchased for it, so I grabbed some old "one step up" interconnects and patched it in to my AVR-2700, meaning that only the L/C/R channels go through the Outlaw 750. I put in one of my favorite concert DVDs and was amazed at what happened. The size of the soundstage and the imaging improved tremendously. I have finally reached the "wall of sound" effect I've experienced in good demo rooms. I didn't think my NHT SuperOnes and SuperCenter could do what they were doing when driven by the Outlaw 750. Oh yeah, it was also obvious I didn't need to "spin the dial" as much to get to my desired listening level. I had to crank up the surround channels by 6dB to get them up to where the 750 put the L/C/R channels.

More than once, I've thought I was in Dolby Digital 5.1 mode with music and discovered I was actually in stereo mode. My CD collection never sounded better, too. This is a great product at a great price. I hope they get their B&K Reference 30 pre/pro competitor out soon, since that's the next item on my list.

Similar Products Used:

None

It was everything I had read about and less money than everything else with similar specs and reviews.

None that I can hear. I'm sure it will look better when I replace the Pioneer receiver with the Outlaw pre-pro. (or at least they'll match :-)

I had a Pioneer VXSD906-S which just didn't sound right with music. Movies were OK, but I wanted more...more dynamics, better soundstage with stereo music, etc. When I hooked up the Outlaw, it sounded like a blanket had been removed from in front of the speakers. Music was much more lifelike, and movies were clearer and cleaner. I'll just sum up Outlaw's product and service by saying that as soon as they start taking orders for the audiophile pre/pro, I'll be the first one in line.

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First multichannel amp.

Best amp for the money!

None

This review is posted under reviews for ATI and Outlaw for more information on both amps!

As a speaker manufacturer, I have auditioned many amps over the years. I find that different amps have certain qualities and attributes. Because audio equipment varies so much from owner to owner, each may find a certain amp sounds better in their system than others. That is why personal choices are subjective! But, are there audible differences in some amps that perhaps make one worth more than another? YES! How much more is up to the buyer to decide. As an ATI amp owner and dealer along with my speakers, I'd like to address the issue regarding the differences between the ATI and another popular amp, the Outlaw.

Many opinions have been written as to the ATI 1505 and the Outlaw 750 amplifiers. It is a known fact that the Outlaw amp is built by ATI for Outlaw! Because of that fact, many believe the Outlaw 750 is an ATI 1505 cloaked in a different dress. Let me be clear, IT IS NOT! Because of manufacturing costs and tooling, ATI uses a similar design and construction format, but the two amps have several differences that make the ATI superior to the Outlaw. That is not to say the Outlaw is not a good amp, because it is!

ATI is well aware of the fact that some believe they are buying a ATI 1505 at wholesale cost when buying an Outlaw 750. They believe they are skipping the mark-up of the retail dealers by buying an Outlaw amp factory direct. What they are buying is a good amp for $1100! Because it is built by ATI, it is probably the best 5 channel amp available for $1100! Step up a few hundred dollars more to the ATI 1505 or even the 1506, and you are not only buying the best amp for that price range, but I dare say for two to three times that price range! Thats not an opinion but a proven fact!

I challenge ANY magazine or independent person(s) to an honest comparison between the ATI and any other multi-channel amp on the market costing up to $5000! Why do I sound confident? Because several comparisons have already been performed and we continue to compare ATI with other amps. At the $2000 range, I just haven't found anything comparable! ATI has set the new standard and other amplifier companies are striving to come up to it. I hope many do, it will only be a benefit to the consumer!

For those who have wondered what the differences are between the ATI 1505 and Outlaw 750, here are a few.

(1) More transistors on the output stage. 8 per module for the ATI vs. 6 for the Outlaw.

(2) A larger power transformer. 2kva for the ATI vs. 1.6kva for the Outlaw.

(3) Advanced circuitry design in the ATI. Because of proprietary design I can't discuss the differences.

(4) Detachable AC power cord on the ATI. This allows upgrading the AC line for those who believe in that tweek.
Its main function is to make it simpler to remove the amp if necessary and change if ever damaged.

(5) A heavier gage metal used for the ATI cabinet.

SUMMATION:
What are the main reason to buy the ATI over the Outlaw? A better built, tougher amp with much better capabilities of running heavy loads and low efficiency speakers! With all 5 channels driven to max, the Outlaw CANNOT meet the demands that the ATI does! So, is the few hundred dollars difference worth it? Absolutely! But, on the other hand. For the person that can't afford the extra few hundred bucks, he still can buy an amp that has much of ATI's quality and will also out-perform any amps in it's class!
Considering that a buyer will only need to purchase this amp one time for many many years, I say go for the best and don't look back! ATI meets that requirement!
Ed Frias
EFE TECHNOLOGY Speakers

Similar Products Used:

ATI

Built like a brick sh*t house, surprisingly detailed, precise sound, plenty of power and dynamic headroom.

The logo looks like a tattoo on the bouncer in a seedy Country-Western bar.

It may be an oxymoron, but I like to think of myself as a value-conscious audio enthusiast. I believe there are components that offer great bang for the buck. After reading the reviews of the Outlaw 750, I figured if I didn’t like it, I would send it back and eat the shipping costs.

Nevertheless, when a product is available only on the Internet, I have nagging doubts. What if everyone who worked at Outlaw had a relative write a glowing review for audioreview.com? What if Outlaw cherry-picked the units sent to magazines for review, but their typical production unit was very sloppy? In short, what if all of this was a vast conspiracy to defraud me? (Not that I’m paranoid or anything…)

Ordered it on a Friday night, and it arrived the following Wednesday, as promised. Shipping weight was 68 pounds. The transformer weighs as much as a small motorcycle. I made the mistake of having it shipped to my office. I borrowed a hand truck from our warehouse to schlep it from my car to my 4th floor apartment.

The Outlaw was replacing a Harman Kardon PA5800, which I still believe represents great bang for the buck. What prompted my interest in the Outlaw was the purchase of a pair of Maggie MMGs. Planars like LOTS of power, especially when the preamp is passive (Creek Audio OBH-12). The Outlaw is rated at 250 watts per channel on a 4-ohm load. Take THAT, Maggies!

Plunk a disc in the Cambridge Audio D500 CD player, sit back, and….

The first thing I noticed was the depth of the soundstage. The sweet spot for the Maggies extended at least 3 feet. Ironically, when describing this hulking amp named Outlaw, the sound is delicate. There was more detail and clarity on both the high and low end.

For the next 2 days before I went to work I put in a CD, selected random play, and left the amp to burn in a bit. I also wanted to see how the finned aluminum heat sinks handled heat without a cooling fan. When I returned home 12 hours later, the amp was slightly warm to the touch, but nothing alarming. (My Denon receiver, on during the same period, was noticeably warmer). The heat sinks do their job without a fan, which means quieter operation and greater reliability. (I’ve never heard of bearings failing on a heat sink!)

So why does a self-described ‘value-conscious audio enthusiast’ buy a 5-channel amp to drive a stereo system? Because the remaining 3 channels are used to drive the front and center channels of my home theater. (Toshiba 3109 into a Denon AVR-1800, with I preamp out to the Outlaw, powering Sound Dynamics RTS-P100 fronts and a SD C-2 center channel.). The Outlaw is more than capable to handle home theatre duties.

Swapping the Planar speakers for Sound Dynamics RTS P100s in stereo mode let the Outlaw shine with box speakers as well. In Ricki Lee Jones’ recording of “Danny’s All-Star Joint”, the bass was full and controlled, the percussive brass shone with the dynamic response of the Outlaw. Some power amps are not refined, you hear loudness more than music when you push them hard. The Outlaw only sounds out of breath when pushed to volume levels that are ridiculously uncomfortable.

Do the math. 5 channels @ $1100 = $220 per channel. If anyone wants to tell me where I can buy five channels that sound this good and have this much power for $1100, I’m all ears.

In short, the Outlaw 750 is one of those rate commodities: a product that would sell for much more through traditional retail channels, from a company that offers excellent response time and customer service. You will have to spend over $1800 to get a demonstrably superior amplifier. If you have

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Harman Kardon PA-5800

Power, high quality parts,and value.

Have not found any yet.

This is probably the single best audio product I have ever bought. What you get for what you pay for is just unbeatable in its price catagory. I looked at the B&K amp, which was nice, but it ran really hot because the the transformers are too big for the box they are in.So I ordered the Outlaw and I must say I am pleased with the product but also the company(very efficient). The amp has a great sound, very warm and colorful, sound best after about 15 minutes of warming up. I have it paired up with the B&K reference20, and it is the first system I can honestly say I am totally content with. I had five receivers this past year, kept trading up until I had found what I wanted to hear. Well I found it. This is one great amp, and I have not found any quirks with it.

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First power amp. Checked out the B&K 5000 II

Well build, massive toroidal transformer, very natural sound, no harshness, bass is tight, price of course

logo is huge and not so nice....
heavy

Well, I would just like to say that I am impresed with the Outlaw's customer service. I am stunned by the amp itself!
Build quality is on par with the best stuff out there. Sound is very natural with no signs of brightness (I can't say the same thing for the Adcom I was using to do blind tests!). Actualy I feel it does only one thing: amplifies the sound without adding anything to it. My understanding is that's what an amp is expected to do and the 750 lives up to it. I am using it to drive Maggies 1.6 and there hasn't been anything to dissturb me in the sound so far. Midds are smooth, hights are clean, detailed but not bright...Bass is tight and clean. Tons of power, doesn't seem to be bothered by the low impendance of the planars. Vocals and acoustic instruments are almost alive in my living room!
I used to work with rock groups for about 3 years on the road and I have designed and built lots of amps in my life.
I can honestly say that for the money this is the best I have seen...Actualy it is fair to say that one can pay at least twice as much for an amp and end up with worst sound compared to the outlaw(stay away from the Adcoms with FETs).

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Adcom, Carver AV705ax,Yamaha natural sounding amps, Quad, HH pro amps, Marantz.....

Clean, powerful, solid

Ugly face plate logo

I bought this amp based on its glowing reviews and it did not disappoint. I am using the outlaw to bi-amp a pair of Paradigm Reference Studio 100's, and using the 5th channel for the Paradigm Studio-CC center. I have never heard the amp strain with any material, and the sound is clean and detailed.

I've also used one of the channels to drive a passive sub, and it handled the chore with ease. I've only used the passive sub as a "slave" in the past, but giving it its own amp really made a difference -- especially with the power of the Outlaw.


5 stars for value, 4 for overall since there are surely better amps for more money.

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Acurus, Denon

Outlaw Audio customer service, build quality, sound

Um ... it only comes in black? :-)

I've only been listening to my new Outlaw Audio 750 amp for few days, so I'll hold off with an complete review until thisunit, and all the other new pieces in my HT, have had a reasonable chance to break in. But I want to take a moment to write about something that I can authoritatively speak on at this point, and that is the kind of customer service you can expect from Outlaw Audio.

In a word: fantastic. I am completely thrilled with the responsiveness shown by Outlaw Audio. My unit arrived and one of the channels was out. Outlaw promptly shipped out another one (OK, I waited a few days over the Thanksgiving holiday, but I pick nits here ...). They are sending me a FedEx tag so that the original can be picked up. I wasn't hassled, I didn't need to pack up and send the original unit in for "inspection" before they would ship out a replacement, and in fact I wasn't questioned at all. All I got was a prompt reply that a new unit was on the way.

You can read all the other reviews here and in publications such as Home Theater Magazine, and you will get the idea that this is one sweet sounding amp and a great value as well. But you might be a bit scared off of buying over the Internet. Well, with this type of committment to customer service, you have nothing to worry about.

For service, build quality, and initial listening impression, I say five stars and two thumbs up, Outlaw!

reasonable cost,lots of power,excellent sound characteristics.

none that i have found so far.

i first noticed the "outlaw audio" equipment in "stereophile" and was quite skeptical at first.after doing
some research in print and on sites like this i decided to
order a model 750 for my home theatre.this amp does everything the ads and the previous reviews say it does.it has a great deal of low end punch and it's depth and detail on quiet passages of acoustic music let me know that this amp is a quality product.for anyone looking to start building your next or first home theatre give this model 750
some consideration before you buy anything else.you won't
be sorry!

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none.

Cheap! Wonderful sound. Cool running. Quiet!

Committedly ugly logo. Wierd looking power button.

Did a bunch of research, and like others here, discovered the visual similarity of the guts with the ATI 1505.

I grilled (in a good way :) someone on the phone enough to find out:

- They design the Outlaw and have it made in CA, USA.
- The ATI is indeed similar.
- The ATI uses 8 output transformers per stage instead of the Outlaw's 6.
- The ATI uses a different protection circuit.
- They do not perform component matching when assembling the unit.
- They do not test every single unit.
- Outlaw is selling a nice B&W preamp in a bundle w/the 750 for under 2900 bucks, which should place the preamp at around dealer cost. This is until their preamp is shipping.

Not much more difference that I could tell or find out.

The unit is well constructed, and as others have told, sounds articulated and present. Not harsh though. Bass, even low balooning bass, is well controlled, surprising so. I listen at "moderate" :) levels, and this unit has a real "wow" factor. And yes, it runs *much* cooler than the preamp I am using.

Considering the consistent performance of the units mentioned here, the lack of component matching and individual testing is not any big deal.

Short of a 400 watt/channel Bryston-style setup (would require a major upgrade of everything else as well), this is alot of machinery, *and* alot of machinery for the money.

Associated gear:

- Pioneer PDF1007 301 CD changer
- BL1 interconnects
- Sony TAE-900ES preamp
- Radio Shack monster cable clone (6 ft to mains)
- Wharfedale Modus 8 mains
- Wharfedale Music Series centre
- KEF Coda7 rears

The only downsides:

- Would have been neat to have XLR inputs, even as an option
- MAN is that logo ugly! I am going to have to tape it over.
- MAN is that power button wierd looking. May have to tape that thing over as well, or something.

Seriously, this is an outstanding value. And thanks to the warm and friendly Jamen @ Outlaw for putting up with me :)