Review:

Outlaw has also built a reputation ( well deserved by the way ) for excellent customer service for exchange or service of any problem units. Outlaw has several amplifiers in their lineup as well as a Preamp processor, subwoofer, bass management solution, and more. You can find them online at www.outlawaudio.com.

The subject of this review, the Model 770 amplifier, is Outlaw’s flagship unit. It offers 7 channels of amplification each outputting 200 watts into 8 ohm speaker loads and retails for $1800. The unit features gold plated RCA connector inputs, and speaker binding posts which are capable of accepting bare wire, Banana plugs, or spade type connectors. It has a 12vdc trigger input which allows the unit to be powered on/off by a preamp which has the corresponding 12vdc trigger output. A rocker type on/off power switch and a grounded IEC power cord input rounds out the remainder of the 770’s back panel. The front of the 770 has only a bright green power button which ( when pressed to “ on “ ) always casts a dim glow when the unit is plugged in and the rocker switch on the back is set to “ On “. Overall the Model 770 is not overly handsome, however it is not what I would call unattractive either. It has it’s own sense of style. In terms of build quality I would have to rate the unit as above average. It features solid construction and quality parts throughout. It’s two large Toroidal transformers and seven rows of heat sinks are directly responsible for it’s 90 plus pound weight. The unit comes packed very securely from Outlaw. Inside the box is the amp, the detached 6 foot heavy duty power cord, owners manual, and a six foot mono cable with 3.5mm mini plug connectors at each end ( for use with the units 12vdc trigger connection ).

I unpacked the unit and connected it to my B&K Reference 50 A/V controller. I have a seven channel suite of Paradigm speakers which I connected to the 770 via Banana plug connectors. I used the supplied 3.5mm mono cable and connected one end to one of the 12vdc trigger outs on my A/V controller and the other end to the model 770. Once I was sure everything was properly connected I powered up. The first thing I noticed about the Model 770 is that it runs dead quiet. Pressing my ear right up against the speaker’s high frequency drivers yielded only the slightest bit of that audible familiar amplifier “ ssshhh “ sound. I was very happy with the unit’s noise levels ( there basically were none ! ). The 770 never got any more than slightly warm to the touch, even during high sound pressure levels. I found the owner’s manual to be thorough and well laid out. Overall the unit came well packed, brand new, and with everything you would need.

I broke the amp in for roughly 50 hours or so prior to doing any critical listening. I can say that right out of the box the unit sounded neutral and warm. I started my listening sessions off with two channel standard CD music. Listening to Enya’s “ Only Time “ I could immediately tell that the 770 was not going to have any trouble in the bass department. Her music is bass synth heavy and the 770 reproduced the lower bass notes with aplomb. The Bee Gees “ Still Waters “ sounded fantastic, with great sound staging and plenty of detail. I did notice that the lead vocals were not as up front as I am used to, and sounded slightly duller than with my Parasound amps. Listening to the Yellow jackets “ Blue Hats “ CD was total enjoyment from beginning to end. This is one of my favorite jazz CD’s and the 770 took everything I love about this disc and made it better. Jimmy Haslip’s bass was rich, full, and dynamic while Bob Mintzer Alto sax sang ( literally ) with every note held out in fine detail. Keyboards, drums, and the aforementioned bass and horns were clearly discernible with sound staging that was excellent.

High resolution audio was up next and essentially the results were the same as with standard CD. Diana Krall’s “ While you were sleeping “ SACD sounded airy and natural. Her superb vocals came across with plenty of detail while still retaining the earlier mentioned reticence in the mid highs region. Again this made the lead vocals appear to be just slightly duller than I am accustomed to. For the record this is not a complaint, but rather an observation. My Paradigm Reference speakers along with my Parasound amplifiers tend to sound kind of “ in your face “ with lead vocals. The 770 has more of a laid back approach, which is not a bad thing especially if you have bright sounding speakers. David Diggs “ E-klek-trik “ offers a nice mix of jazz fused with blues. This DVD Audio disc sounded simply awesome through the Model 770. The surround mix is a bit on the aggressive side at times which the 770 was certainly ready for. Rachel Diggs’ vocals were rendered with excellent detail and texture. I have always found her vocals on track 2 “ Why “ to have just the slightest edge to them at times. That edge all but disappeared when played back though the Outlaw.

I think the Model 770’s true strength is it’s ability to handle digital movie soundtracks. The amplifier uses absolute brute force to bring forth superb dynamics with 5.1 or 6.1 channel encoded DVD. I turned off the subwoofer out on my A/V controller and set my speakers to full range. I wanted to see how the 770 could handle having to dole out bass to all of the speakers ( rather than having low frequency effects sent to the subwoofer ). I started off with chapter 10 from The Haunting DTS ES DVD. This scene contains plenty of rich low level bass as well as wide dynamic range. The 770 took all it had and kept on going back for more. The room shook with every knock ( or should I say pound ) on the doors as “ Nell “ and “ Theo “ quivered in their rooms. Chapter 1 from Star Wars Episode II was absolutely breath taking as the Star Cruiser flies overhead from back to front. The explosion which occurs on the landing platform presents a challenge for every speaker in the system. The Model 770 reproduced this with excellent details, and downright full throttle dynamics. Moving to a film like “Underworld “ is great as it presents differing challenges to an audio system. At times the film is driven strictly by dialog, and at other times can require loads of power for music, explosions, gunshots etc. The Outlaw handled this film with pure class and delivered the goods on each level. Dialog was extremely intelligible, front and rear sound staging was superb, and dynamics was once again simply awesome.

Conclusion :

• B&K Reference 50 A/V Controller
• Denon DVD2900 DVD Audio/Video/SACD player
• C.E.C CD3300 CD player Paradigm Reference Speakers ( 7 Channel ) SVS 2039 PC Plus subwoofer
• Audio Quest interconnects Esoteric speaker cable ( 10 gauge ) with Belden/Canare Banana Terminations
  
  Features:
  
  • Power output: 200 watts RMS x 7 (all channels driven simultaneously into 8 ohms from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with less than 0.05% total harmonic distortion). 300 watts RMS x 7 @ 4 ohms
  • S/N: 119 dB
  • Power Bandwidth: 5 Hz - over 100 kHz (+0/-3 dB)
  • Damping factor: 850 (10 Hz - 400 Hz)
  • Input sensitivity/Impedance: 1.43 volts for full output/28 k ohms
  • Crosstalk: Greater than -90 dB from 20 Hz to 20 KHz
  • Gain: Voltage gain of 28 dB
  • Slew rate: 50 Volts/microsecond
  • Remote Trigger voltage: 3 - 32 volts DC
  • Power requirements: 115 V 50-60 Hz
  • Power consumption: 1,800 watts (maximum)
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 17.2 x 7.75 with feet x 18 (inches)
  • Weight: 90 (lbs)

  Rating: