Outlaw Audio 5000x Power Amp Review

[@ginob9157]

I am running a 7.1.4 set up. Using the Yamaha avantage a6a. And Parasound a21+ to drive my two mains. Which are Martin Logan XT F200. For home theater I found I wasn't getting the good Dynamics in my surround sound allowing the Yamaha to drive those nine channels including the height channels. I added the outlaw to drive my center channel and four surrounds. What a difference it made for home theater. the Dynamics really opened up. I 0nly use two-channel for music and the parasound takes care of those two speakers. Perhaps some people are disappointed using this amp for two-channel music but to power surround sound it is the best deal in town in my opinion. I almost purchased a 5-channel ATI amp. Which I know is an awesome amp but another 2K$. I rolled the dice with the outlaw and I could not be happier. Keep the reviews coming.

[@percybedford6266]

@ginp9157 Outlaws are rebadged ATI. ATI designs their amps. I do have a question about the A6A, I am considering it for my home theater. I am considering getting it and running it in pre out mode and using it as processor. How is the sound and separation? Thanks for your help.

[@cgm246]

great to see a "old" unit still holding it's own in the Amp world!

[@scottwrezenski2356]

I love my 2 outlaws power amps I have two 7 channels amps. I run 13 channels

[@danemoreno88]

This amp is the best bang for your buck there is. There isn’t anything that comes close for what you pay

[@markstewart3501]

I have the 7000x nothing but quality best $999.00 you'll ever spend. It's hooked up to my onkyo Tz50

[@StevetheTechBro]

How is it? I too have the rz 50 and currently running an 5.2.4 and want to upgrade to 7.2.4. It’s either I’m getting this on an emotiva but that has less watts only 95 with all channels driven.

[@markstewart3501]

Its been doing good. I thought About buying emotive but when I Saw that outlaw was designed by ATI it was pertty much a no brainer. I do wish the the Rz50 had legacy hook ups. But my ol Denon Avr is still running good. The Rz50 runs a little hot. But that outlaw barely gets warm. All Klipsch speakers in the system.

[@michaelreilly4920]

I own the 7000x I purchased it after upgrading my system to an Anthem AVM 70. I was expecting to use the Outlaw for a few months until I was able to purchase a more expensive amp. I had an opportunity to purchase an Anthem MCA 525, which is a perfect match to the AVM 70..I also had a Parasound A23 for my height channels. Excited to have the 525 in my system, I swapped out the Outlaw with the Anthem. As soon as I turned on my system with the new amp I was extremely disappointed. The Anthem caused a pop in my speakers during power on and power off. Very annoying. I reached out to my dealer as well as Anthem to see if this was a normal situation with this Amp. I received very different opinions on wether this was normal or not. I was able to test both Amps in my space for a couple of months and my conclusion was the Outlaw 7000x totally held its own up against the Anthem. With the Outlaw I have no pops no hiss, just silent. The Anthem is a beast of an amp, but for cost to performance the Outlaw is still in my system and will be for a long time..

[@jamiejohnson5507]

Thanks for sharing your comparison. Very helpful for those looking to make a purchase. I found what you shared very interesting.

[@mth101261]

I don't wish to trash Outlaw. I like what they do. I purchased the 5000 about 2 years ago to work with my Onkyo TX-NR1009. I have 5 power hungry Martin Logan 20 year old Clarity series speakers and I just never have been satisfied with their performance . They sound awesome but every now and then I like to rock the house. After a short while my Onkyo would overheat and shut down. So I thought I would help it out with the Outlaw 5000. The Outlaw is a passive amp and relies solely on the signal your preamp sends it from the main source. Honestly, I could not tell one bit of difference with or without the Outlaw. It did stop the Onkyo from shutting down. I eventually unhooked the Outlaw from my system and it is now a 60 pound paperweight.

[@jamiejohnson5507]

This might not be an "Outlaw" issue as much as it might be getting the right amp for the speakers and/or room you have. If your speakers are not very sensitive they simply might just need more power than the 120watts into 8 Ohms that the 5000 provides. I would bet the Outlaw Model 7900 (300watts per channel, but considerably more expensive) would show a significant difference. If your speakers are dipping below 4Ohms at times, your listening position is farther than average from your speakers or your room is relatively large, then the number of watts have to go up to a fair amount to get the type of volume you may be seeking.

[@mth101261]

Jamie...thanks for the response. This past Saturday, I ordered the Sony STR-AZ3000ES. It has not arrived yet. I dont think the Outlaw will be much help in this case. I would like it sell the Outlaw now. It hasn't been hurt.

[@michaelreilly4920]

@@mth101261 if the Sony has pre-outs, I would totally use the Outlaw it’s just cheap insurance to keep your Sony humming a long for a long time to come. External amp may not have a sonic difference that you can hear, and honestly that’s a good thing, but if you like loud the outlaw will ease the load off the Sony.

[@BrianGarside]

@@mth101261 I don't think this Sony has Pre-Outs. 5000 and up does. so yeah not much use right now. But I would keep it you never know.

[@mth101261]

@@BrianGarside hey Brian...since that post; I changed my mind and went on and got the 5000. I am now contemplating using the Outlaw after all.

[@batman.darthmaul]

People with 4 ohm speakers should know, Outlaw amps handle 4 ohm loads waaaaay better than Emotiva, even Emotiva's XPA series. Compare their THD specs.

[@jamiejohnson5507]

Interesting information. I had not looked at that before.

[@batman.darthmaul]

@@jamiejohnson5507 Outlaw's THD numbers are way, way better than most. I have a $3000 Yamaha amp and Outlaw's THD specs walk all over it. On top of that, Outlaw lists their specs very conservatively, so the actual performance you get is probably going to be better than what's listed. Most manufacturers are the opposite.

[@danemoreno88]

@@batman.darthmaulyup audioholics measured it about 180 or so rms per channel way higher than the listed 120

[@michaelharness3258]

Anemic

[@scottlowell493]

I found upon examination, that in side an outlaw product is a collection of lowest bidder parts. Low end caps, basic opamps. The CEO's policy is to use cheap parts because in his opinion, "Customers can't tell the difference". I no longer own outlaw products as I could hear the shortcomings.

[@jamiejohnson5507]

I say go with what your ear tells you. Not every product is for every person.

[@BrianGarside]

So what amp brand do you go with or recommend thats not triple the costs?

[@scottlowell493]

@@jamiejohnson5507 especially if they are shitty, like outlaw. I have higher standards than mediocre sound. Outlaw is sonic bliss for those with poor hearing or poor listening skills. Or really poor speakers. Outlaw is to clear music like mud is to distilled water. Pretty cruel to fidelity.

[@scottlowell493]

@@BrianGarside google is your friend.

[@BrianGarside]

@@scottlowell493 haha nice non answer, I know what they are. I own a Parasound. Was curious what you consider quality.