Make sure that if there is a separate switch, or input, to turn the trigger on, that it is activated as well. I give Outlaw high marks for this, for the UMC-1, the Model 975's existing would-be competitor, has not fared so well in the reliability category. They've certainly cut costs by eliminating any sort of balanced input or output. With my sub situated and EQ'ed via the Behringer, I was able to set its volume, along with the rest of my speakers, within the Model 975's menu, using a SPL meter. Regardless, as special as the Model 997 would've been, I believe the Model 975 to be the better product, for it's the right preamp, sold at the right price and at the right time. With the introduction of Outlaw Audio's new Model 975 (Model 975), I believe someone has finally stepped up to the proverbial microphone and offered an answer. The AV preamp, in my opinion, has become needlessly complicated in its efforts to stay ahead of the curve and, in doing so, is now rife with redundancy that many enthusiasts don't even realize they have elsewhere in their system and therefore are paying twice or three times for the same functionality. This may or may not be a deal-breaker. I read through the owner's manual and four things caught my eye (everything else is pretty much what you'd expect.) The high frequencies were smooth, grain-free and delicately extended, not at all digital-sounding; instead, they possessed a palpable sense of dimension and air. It also allows you greater freedom to incorporate multiple subs from an AV preamp - such as the Model 975 - that may only have a single subwoofer output, which is something I've also done in the past. While it might float a bit off the target to be aimed squarely at legacy gear owners, it certainly hits squarely at those on a budget who want to experience the latest surround formats and experience the world of separates. ... it truly delivers the features that matter most. Dynamics were not at all compressed; instead, they felt as if they had greater volume, like a full-fisted punch as opposed to a slap across the face. Outlaw Audio Model 975 5.1 channel Preaamplifier for sale. The Outlaw sends a ping to the TV and sits there like a tard if it does not see a return ping. The key is to make the manual intuitive to both use the first time and when you need to go back and look for information when you are having issues. Believe it or not, on this track, Mraz's vocal performance via the Model 975 had more in common with a much higher-end AV preamp that I recently had on hand than that of my Integra, which was shocking, to say the least. The Model 975 has neither auto nor manual EQ, meaning you will be reliant upon proper speaker placement techniques and analog room acoustics for best results. This is a very good thing, as my Oppo BDP-103 is a far better scalar than almost any AV preamp, including the Model 975. If the manual is as good as it looks, and the unit works as well as it looks on paper, it could be the entry-level processor for the masses. There was a noticeable lack of sibilance present with the Model 975 in the mix versus with it out, evident in several scenes aboard the battleship, the USS Missouri. I began my evaluation of the Model 975 with Moby's album Play (V2) and my go-to track "Everloving." In summary, the Outlaw not only had the most detail, but was also the most fun to listen to. I connected my Integra DPS-7.2 DVD-A/CD player to the RR2160's coaxial input, and for an entire day, CDs sounded smaller, thinner, weaker, more canned and mechanical. They start with a description of the the processor, move on to how to make connections, how to navigate and control the setup menus, how to operate the unit, setting up and using the tuner (I love that they put this here because it is always the last thing I set up and it is usually buried elsewhere in the manual), and how to use the remote. Only time will tell how well they've succeeded. Moving onto another Blu-ray favorite, I cued up Burlesque (Screen Gems) and chaptered ahead to the musical number "Express." Both Harman and Meridian possess an analog-like sound, which despite the Meridian being largely digital in nature, is very pleasing, natural and inviting, qualities I also associate with the Model 975. On top of that the company has managed to keep it supremely affordable, with the Model 975 selling direct to the consumer for $549. The soundstage was very nicely composed and appropriate to the material, as it didn't try to bowl me over with excessive width or depth. It might be a size of motorcycle, the horsepower in your car, the time you can complete a certain distance, or any number of other things. Seriously, I jumped from my chair. - these are all features that either a) are found elsewhere in my system or b) are done better by other components and thus are merely superfluous add-ons in my Integra. As Associate Editor at Audioholics, Tom promises to the best of his ability to give each review the same amount of attention, consideration, and thoughtfulness as possible and keep his writings free from undue bias and preconceptions. Even if some don't flock to the Model 975 out of a perceived lack of something, its presence (and price) will no doubt open the door for real conversation to be had and, let's hope, out that conversation, we'll begin to see change. The level of inflection the Model 975 captured was incredible, as were the air and decay that seemed to precede and follow every note and syllable. With it's feature set and price point, the company believe this product could be a revolution. Transformative and Outlaw paired up to release an Outlaw edition of the HDS-42AVR that works with the Model 975 only to allow four 4K/UHD inputs! Outlaw Audio a known name in audio, and the company has become fairly famous for making high quality, low cost audio products that it then sells only from its website. Since the inputs themselves cannot be renamed, the only other thing I adjusted from the Model 975's stock configuration was its stereo subwoofer setting, which I set at -2dB, as I wanted a little less bass when listening to two-channel content. Outlaw Audio has begun taking orders for the company's Model 975 AV surround sound processor. When you get into a new hobby, you are usually happy just to participate. Think of it as having less cowbell. Now that the Model 975 exists, the UMC-200 is supposedly ready for primetime. For those worried about audio, Outlaw Audio has used 192 kHz 24-bit DAC's for all channels. Thankfully, Outlaw is aware that a better control experience is necessary and will be sending all early adopters the final remote when it is ready in January at no charge. Roku Ultra, DIRECTV 4K Genie HR-54 DVR, C61K-700, OPPO Sonica DAC, Amazon Fire TV. The Hookup Outlaw has thought long and hard about what is important to their customers and has striven to bring them everything they can for the most reasonable price possible. Outlaw Audio states that they wanted to serve customers that have legacy gear while keeping costs down. While it might float a bit off the target to be aimed squarely at legacy gear owners, it certainly hits squarely at those on a budget who want to experience the latest surround formats and experience the world of separates. Setting its stereo subwoofer interaction to less 2dB in my room brought the performance to a neutral footing and allowed for one of the more convincing two-channel performances I've heard from an AV preamp. I use quotation marks in this instance, because the UMC-200, prior to the Model 975's announcement, was something of rumor and shown only in prototype form at this year's Emofest. Around back, the simplicity theme continues, as all of the Model 975's input/output options are neatly laid out. From there, I connected it to my Crown XLS 2000 DriveCore amplifiers via one-meter runs of Transparent Ultra interconnects (RCA). Outlaw Audio Model 975 7.1 AV Surround Sound Processor Reviewed. In my tests, I found the Model 975 to produce a different but equally pleasing surround sound and two-channel performance when compared to my Integra DHC 80.2. With all those non-HD inputs, on-board video scaling is a necessity. Is the Model 975 better? When the Missouri took the fight to the alien craft in the final battle, the resulting gunshots were scary good in their scale, texture and impact. Bass was again strong and tuneful, mixing brilliantly with the midrange, which was again largely natural in its tone. I ended my evaluation of the Model 975 with Iron Man 2 (Paramount) on Blu-ray and the scene featuring the Monaco Grand Prix. Each of these inputs are assignable from the front display or on screen display. The rest of my system consisted of my reference Tekton Design Pendragon loudspeakers and a single f110 subwoofer from JL Audio. While surpassing expectations for price is nothing new for Outlaw Audio, they wanted to also shatter one more myth - that user manuals have to be confusing. Outlaw Audio suspected that people on the market for a budget processor might also have legacy gear. I employed a Behringer Feedback Destroyer, which possesses a very robust parametric EQ that, when used in conjunction with a free program such as Room EQ Wizard, allows you to better dial in your subwoofer's performance. To start, the 990 has all of the current Dolby Digital and DTS codecs, including Dolby Headphone. You may have noticed that I left something out when describing the Model 975: its price. Once everything was connected and the Model 975 fully integrated into the signal chain, it was time to configure the piece to my needs, beginning with speaker setup. It isn't even heavy at a hair over eight pounds. The Outlaw Audio Model 975 is a targeted processor. Over the years, AV preamps have gone from being simple analog multi-channel versions of their two-channel counterparts to big, full-featured testaments to our ever-changing technology. In other words, there is nothing about the Model 975's visual appearance that screams AV preamp. Get the Audioholics AV Gear Guide Ebook FREE! Your support is greatly appreciated! Maybe it's too barren for some, but I argue that minus the addition of an HDMI input or two and perhaps parametric EQ, the Model 975 is all the AV preamp one truly needs if you're honest with yourself. To the right of the component inputs, you'll find a pair of composite and S-Video inputs, again mated to a single pair of composite and S-Video outs; why these are needed is beyond me, but nevertheless, they're present. Furthermore, it has been my experience that if you can effectively take your subwoofer out of the equation, i.e., EQ it and cross it over at the appropriate frequency, you will immediately notice an increase in midrange and treble fidelity that may not require further adjustment, provided of course that you've set up your speakers properly. There are no additional outputs for switching configurations on the fly. It would also make a great solution for those with extra amps lying around that want a decent second (or third or fourth) system. This includes Dolby's entire suite with Pro Logic IIz and their height channels, and all but Neo:X from DTS. It is my opinion that the Model 975 is largely neutral in comparison, with maybe a slight emphasis on the lower mid-bass, something I was able to adjust ever so slightly with the Stereo+Sub Trim feature in its menu. For more on these AV preamps and others like them, please visit Home Theater Review's AV Preamp page. Running across the center of the Model 975's back panel rest its analog input and output options. Although the internal scaler is not named, it can be defeated -more on that in a moment. All Rights Reserved. I don't need my AV preamp to scale my video to HD, though the Model Model 975 does, nor do I need it to connect to Internet streaming services, such as Pandora or Netflix, for my Oppo does both and a makes a better job of it to boot, though an Ethernet port for firmware updates would be nice. Digital decoding*; DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD Join our Exclusive Audioholics E-Book Membership Program! It has four HDMI inputs and one output with ARC (Audio Return Channel). Dynamics were appropriately bombastic, if not a little seductive, as dictated by the track; it was all wholly involving and enjoyable. Going through the PDF (you can find it at the Outlaw Audio site), they've used a mix of text and graphics to make it as easy as possible. It was truly incredible. They do, in their manual, include a tutorial for how to use an SPL meter. First, as it is but a single rack space (1U) tall, integrating it into my Sanus Component Series rack was a cinch. More on subwoofers in a moment. While we won't know until people unfamiliar with processors get their hands on it, the Model 975 manual seems to be remarkably well organized. You'll automatically be entered in the HTR Sweepstakes, and get the hottest audio deals directly in your inbox. Outlaw Model 975 7.1 Surround Preamp Processor Visit the Outlaw Store. Let's find out. I think it has something to do with the ARC. Confused about what AV Gear to buy or how to set it up? While initial units will ship with a temporary basic remote, Outlaw says that a more complete model will be offered when it is ready (estimated in January 2013). In all truthfulness, I found the Model 975's sound to have sonic traits not unlike what can be heard from some Harman and Meridian products. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Outlaw Audio Model 975 Pre-amp / Processor at the best online prices at eBay! The Outlaw Audio Model 975 A/V processor leaves out tons of technological features to concentrate on one thing: great audio for movies and music. Think about it. Right now I have the optical running to the 975. So when they announced that they were working on a new surround sound processor, the Internet was abuzz with speculation. The idea of separating out the processor and the amplifiers (all in one box in a receiver) seems like madness. Setting up the Model 975 in my system was an exercise in simplicity from start to finish. It was a fun but exhausting comparison of a Marantz AV9000, B&K Reference 30, Rotel 1068, Denon 2805 (ya, I know), and this Outlaw 975, all paired with an older Carver AV-705x and Focal 826v (listening to mostly 96/24 HDTracks). Take Two The RR2160 is Outlaw’s second-generation stereo receiver. Instead, it is a svelte piece of kit, one that measures just under three inches tall by 16.9 inches wide and nine-and-a-half inches deep. Since I needed, and really wanted a simple A/V processor for my Blu-ray collection, I decided to jump on the Outlaw Audio wagon and take the Model 975 for a ride. No, it just felt more or less right, as opposed to some other AV preamps' renditions of the same recording and soundstage. I initially went analog out from my Oppo 103 to the 976, then analog out to my amps. For output to your amplifier they have utilized 7.1 channel RCA connections. stands for, it's Keep It Simple Stupid, and that is precisely what the Model 975 and Outlaw have done. Sony Ps3 Alon 2 Mk2 Loudspeakers HSU VTF-2 Mk2 sub x2 VAC PA100/100 Tube Amp ARC SP16-L tube Preamp Audio Note Dac 2.1 "B" signature Furutech E-TP80, Ascend HTM-200, 340C Sony KDS-55A2020 Begin by having your amplifier ON and your Model 975 turned OFF. Midrange was nicely textured and very natural in its tone, though it did seem a touch warm at times, but nothing that was either distracting or fatiguing. They route all your video and audio inputs to your various speakers and displays. At first blush, coming off of, say, a mass-market AV preamp or receiver, you may jump to conclusions and classify the Model 975 as lush or maybe even dark. Maybe it is my current crop of components, my new room or simply a change in my personal tastes, but I do believe I prefer the Model 975's sound to that of my Integra, though I still believe the Integra to be a phenomenal piece in its own right. The whole process, from un-boxing to pushing play on my first CD, took less than 30 minutes. And it's not as if the cracks were one-dimensional, either. Other Outlaw products include seven-channel, five-channel, and monoblock amps. Most consumers are familiar with receivers. The company’s surround pre/pro is five years old, but the Outlaw retail site carries a more up-to-date Marantz for one-stop separates shopping. The 975 also includes a surprising array of “legacy” connections for older gear: pairs of component, S-Video, and composite inputs, along with one output of each type. Before I go any further, let's talk about subwoofers for a moment. So, I received my 976 and hooked it up. Believe it or not, most automated EQs do little more than try to match a target curve or curves, based on a room that obviously isn't anything like your room by averaging what it hears and creating a filter set that at best adjusts your speakers to those curves. Model 975 offers all the latest Dolby and DTS formats including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-Master Audio along with Pro Logic IIz and DTS Neo:6 post-processing. Under the hood, the Model 975 boasts the ability to upscale all legacy sources to 1080p via its HDMI output. So I'm using outlaw 975, with 60xt speakers and the audioengine b1. Outlaw Audio's Model 976 is a quality piece of gear with impressive build characteristics, high-quality internal electronics, capable firmware with flexible parametric EQ, and amazing sound. I know it isn't for me, but it is still worth mentioning. I'm merely suggesting that in terms of overall sound, there are more similarities than I would've believed possible, given the preamps' different markets and pedigrees. Other notable features include what Outlaw refers to as a Quadruple Crossover Control, whereby the user can implement different crossover points for one set of loudspeakers independently from the others, meaning you can cross your mains over at, say, 50Hz while your center and rears can be crossed over at 80 or 100Hz respectively. However, unlike its predecessors, the Model 975 isn't a massive slab of matte plastic. Also, I do wish the Model 975 had a USB input for computer audio or portable devices. Across the top of the Model 975 rest four HDMI inputs, as well as a single HDMI out, complete with ARC (Audio Return Channel). For the new enthusiast, they are a badge of honor. The temporary remote is rather basic but functional, though it is also rather small and cluttered.