General Asylum: REVIEW: Outlaw 2150 Integrated Amplifier (SS) by MannyE

Model:	2150
Category:	Integrated Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$6.99
Description:	100 Watt Beast
Manufacturer URL:	Outlaw

Review by MannyE on September 21, 2015 at 20:53:02
IP Address: 108.235.157.25 Add Your Review
for the 2150

After many years of rigging my old B&K preamps (first the Ref 50 until that died, then the Ref 20) and an Outlaw 750 5 channel amp, I really wanted to both clean up the audio corner and just simplify everything. When I spotted a 2150 locally for $300 I figured it was a no-lose situation and I was right.

I already liked the Outlaw amp sound after may years of owning the monster 750 and I knew it (the 2150) would like my DefTech BP2002 towers.

What I didn't know was how nice the phono section was! Dead silent. It makes my MMF-5 sound great! Not as good as the Hagerman Cornet, but the Cornet alone costs more than this whole integrated amp. Even at full retail this thing is a bargain.

The radio tuner is like going back 30/40 years when radio mattered. It locks in stations better than anything I've heard in ages. They must have paid close attention to the tuner section.

It's a great melding of classic 70's receivers and the modern digital world. It has everything you need and nothing you don't. The USB connector is the only thing I haven't explored yet.

My first critical listening session consisted of Upstairs at Eric's by Yaz (mofi), Peter Gabriel 3 (the melty cover 180 gram) and Little Hatch's Rock With Me Baby 45RPM. I won't go into the general descriptors except to say that on Yaz's I Before E I could understand what everyone was saying and that Little Hatch's ghost was singing in my house.

The only gripes I have are that the faceplate design isn't my cup of tea, but I can see the appeal, if you like those old radios and the remote is meh. Adjusting the volume via the remote is annoying. It goes too high or too low, seemingly knowing where I wish it would stop, but avoiding that spot.

Product Weakness:	Faceplate design is polarizing, remote is weak.
Product Strengths:	Ease of use, great value for money especially for vinyl, sounds like something costing a LOT more.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Integrated Amp
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None
Sources (CDP/Turntable): MMF-5
Speakers: BP-2002 Definitive Technology
Cables/Interconnects: DIY
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Yazoo, Little Hatch, Peter Gabriel 3
Room Size (LxWxH): 22 x 10 x 12
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Integrated Amp
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	MMF-5
Speakers:	BP-2002 Definitive Technology
Cables/Interconnects:	DIY
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Yazoo, Little Hatch, Peter Gabriel 3
Room Size (LxWxH):	22 x 10 x 12
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner