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Is Outlaw Audio going to make a new low cost surround sound processor?

I have been looking at Outlaw Audio low cost surround sound processors for a couple of years now, and just when I get to the point where I think I can talk my wife into letting me buy one, they don't make them anymore. Cheapest I can find a new surround sound receiver is over a thousand dollars. Surround sound processors start at about $2500 or more. Now I look for a used Outlaw model 975 used and there are none available. If this keeps up the 975 will be selling for more used than they cost new. You look for news and there is nothing at all from Outlaw or anyone else. I can not find any processor that is worth the money, unless I want to spend over $4000. I am very frustrated with Outlaw right now for stopping production of the 975, and not saying anything about new products. Basically I am venting, so feel free to ignore. Probably have to get my Aragon Stage One (does not process digital inputs anymore) refurbished.
ronlunday
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Outlaw likely discontinued its processors because of lack of sales.  I had a 976 in my system for testing (it's like 975 but with balanced XLR outputs).  It actually performed very well for what it cost ($950 retail).  It was voiced almost exactly the same as the Marantz processors, but it was just a little light on bass (analog power supply is not the largest).  The setup menu is very cumbersome to use because it blacks out the current video source and switches (it's like the menu is a different audio/video source all together).

I have seen the 975 and 976 come up on ebay from time to time.

I would recommend trying to find a used Marantz AV770x processor (AV7702mkii / AV7703 / AV7704 / AV7705).  You can find these from $800-1200 used on ebay.  These are a lot better than the Outlaw processor.
ronlunday OP
4 posts
 
Thanks for the info, I will look around.
gp4jesus
36 posts
 

I’ve had and still have a 975 for sale @ $300 shipped east of the Mississippi. West of, slightly higher. 

 

I have prospective buyer haggling. I stumbled across your Post while surfing to learn what other 975s were priced at.   
 

let me know if you’re still “shopping.” I have a Rotel Rb-985 THX certified 5 X 100 WPC I can package together for add’l $

auxinput
2,920 posts
 

There was a 975 that just bid up and sold for $268 on ebay.  Last fall, there was a 975 on usaudiomart for $200 and the guy finally had to lower his price to $150 to sell it.  The pricing market is unpredictable.

gp4jesus
36 posts
 

Important differences/improvements I forgot to mention…

the 976 is 4K ready - it’s far more than a 975 w/ balanced outputs.
Comes w/two sub outs both XLR & SE though they really just save the user from having to buy/use a splitter

More HDMI inputs, TWO HDMI outputs, and for a few $s more Bluetooth connectivity. 
 

Finally the most important diff - better sound quality!

 

tony 

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