RR 2160 Mk II Retro Stereo Receiver | Class AB | Internet Radio Now with WiFi | HD FM Tuner | Coax, Optical, RCA Inputs | Selectable Bass Management | Remote Control | Tone Controls

I am writing this review after my first 3 hour listening session with this receiver. My current goals were to downsize from a very powerful 2 channel high end system. My reference system has a reference preamplifier, dual monoblock class A amplifiers with a dedicated dac. All fully balanced connections and retailing in the $3000 range, probably equivalent several times that price as this brand is also direct to consumer.On to the Outlaw 2160. I was originally looking for an integrated amplifier, perhaps with built in DAC to "size down" my system in my man roon. A hi-fi enthusiast for some 30 years it's been an incredable journey. From the likes of NAD to Denon to Marantz to Krell to B & K to Sunfire and finally to Emotiva (as well as others).I've had enough, and my search for a multipurpose Integrated led me to in fact a receiver, the Outlaw 2160. I look at it as an Integrated with a bonus tuner. Why, because it harkens to the days of the solid, well powered, all in one chassis, jack of all trades, integrated amplifier.The Outlaw is ample powered, rated at around 165 watts into 4 ohms. The DAC offers resolution to harness its home networking and optical, usb, and coaxial inputs. The aluminum remote control, functions as it should, barring the awful, non differentiated homogenized volume buttons. I use a harmony remote anyway so no problem here.What you do get: Generous analog inputs, a network tuner, multuple digital inputs, a processing loop, a tape loop for analog inputs, an ANALOG bass management system, a phono input, a display somewhat readable from across the room and finally the most important feature, THE SOUND.My first listen was from a B & O turntable fitted witha SMMC mm cartridge through my Definitive 7002 towers with built in subs. The onbourd base management made setting up the built in subs easy. Crossover set to 80 hz with the Outlaw, matching the 7002's. The soung was detailed, revealing, but not forward or aggressive. It was ultra high definition, and detailed.This wasn't supposed to sound this good out of the box, reportedly needed adequate burn-in. I was startled and moved on from the Trace Chapman vinyl demo and preceeded to the squeezbox network player and fired up my computer stored cd collection.That's when more pleasant surprises occurred. The digital glare, edge and forward sound I have for so many years put up with for the convenience of accessing 5000 tracks at will from my music server was absent. It didn't seem digital, sounded more analog than digital. Classify the sound as focused, detailed and delicate, but with the 7002's filled with pleny of bass slam. But, the bass notes followed their intended path with ease and grace and accuracy; clearly the Outlaw was not getting in the way of the execution. This is not a easy task for a receiver in this price range.The unit construction seems solid, with solid connectors and binding posts. All the buttons seem quality. A look under the hood reveals a solid transformer, being well layed out including quality heat sinks. It's a look of a $1500-$2000 integrated, not an $800 receiver. Direct to consumer logistics certainly helps accomplish this.There are a handful of reviews that cover the network features, and some of the points here, I urge you to enjoy them. The general consensus is very positive for this unit, so I ordered one. My first impression is one of astonishment, or amazement on how good it sounds. One thing I have learned is you can't throw money at audio aequipment to acheive good sound. Sometimes it's more art than science, or some kind of pure genious of allocating limited resources and engineering, along with a goal of bringing as much musical enjoyment to as many people as possible. That's not high end, that's just a company who cares about you the consumer, and the ability to pull it off.A few hours of research and 3 hours of listening and I'm proud to own a very well designed multipurposed product. Not so much for what it will do for me, but for what it will bring to so many people. After over 3 decades in audio, you blew me away Outlaw. Congrats.Update: After another few listening sessions my initial observations are confirmed. I did some SACD listening with my OPPO player via analog outputs. I also played some more vinyl. The vinyl sounds very sweet and detailed through the MM input. I'm not noticing any issues at high volumn or complex loud classical. Rock sound very punchy and the bass can be taylored from the remote with either tone control or the bass boost function. Very handy as recordings vary in bass content. The sound seems to be opening up with added presence but not much different from "out of the box", which is great because seems like it's voiced perfectly at this point. I just completed ebay listings for $2500.00 sold of equipment I replaced with this unit. My rack is clean, uncluttered, and finding that simpler sounds better...Update: I hooked up my Sony sacd player (BDPS 6200) and routed the hdmi hi rez 192khz stereo signal through the Kanex pro de-embedder and sent 192 khz digital into the coaxial input of the Outlaw 2160. I was pleased to see 192khz scrolling along the display verifying the Outlaw was handling the hi-rez digital. The sound was awsome. It's time to dig my sacd collection out. Very pleased this works.

I recently purchased Outlaw Audio’s RR2160 to dip my foot back into the 2 channel waters. I made a total conversion to surround sound several years ago, but found I wasn’t enjoying my music as much as I used to.A search of the internet pointed to Outaw’s upgraded retro receiver, the 2160, which seemed to fit the bill, so I took a shot and ordered it from Amazon. Am I glad I did! The 2160 is a beautifully built two-channel, analog receiver that mixes in some digital chops as well. On back are analog inputs that include phono and four, line level inputs, so those with analog sources are well covered.But, the 2160 also has a built in 192/24 capable DAC. So digital sources are also well served. There are two coaxial and two optical inputs. But the fun doesn’t stop there. The 2160 also includes three USB inputs, so you can connect a computer or a USB stick directly to the unit and play files. And the icing on cake: DLNA. If you have a NAS or PC (Windows or Mac) that stores your files, you can connect the 2160 directly to your network via the built in Ethernet jack, and stream files from the NAS or PC directly to the 2160. And it works flawlessly.All of this analog and digital capability would mean nothing if the 2160 didn’t sound good. It does, in spades. Inside the hefty chassis is a two-channel amplifier rated at 110 watts into 8 ohms and 165 into 4. My 85 db speakers were hitting 100+ db on musical peaks, with no harshness, lack of composure or collapsing of the image. The 2160 sounded wonderful, with excellent imaging, smooth frequency response, and an iron fist on the low end. I also tried the built-in crossover and a subwoofer and I was able to blend my satellites and subwoofer with ease. And if you have smaller satellites (and no sub) and need to coax a little more low end out of them, the built in three frequency EQ settings centered at 55hz, 65hz and 80hz will give an anemic satellite a little more body, enhancing the listening experience.I played some classical fare (some Shostakovich and Mahler Symphonies, solo piano, and choral works), some Jazz vocals (Tony Bennett) and some pop (Lana Del Rey’s “Lust for Life”), among others and the 2160 always delivered the goods. Powerful, musical sound that could also bring out the subtlety in softer pieces. And operationally, it was glitch free. The volume control works in DB steps and the 2160 immediately responds to the beautifully built remote (which seems like a solid billet of aluminum, with lighted buttons) with no delay. And access to all of the features of the 2160 are available right from the remote.If you are looking for a reasonably priced (given the performance) “retro” receiver that sounds and looks great, look no further. Hopefully, you will rediscover the joy of 2 channel music like I did. Highly recommended.