Manufacturer's Response

As you might expect, the Outlaws are quite pleased with Joel Brinkley's review of the 990. In particular, we are flattered that he chose to compare our unit to the Lexicon MC-12, a "reference standard" preamplifier processor that is nine times the price of the 990. We find his analysis thoughtful, measured, balanced, and of course—Joel being Joel—occasionally "nitpicky." By way of response, please permit us to pick a few nits of our own.

1. We chose DVI as our digital video connection because we wanted to make certain that the Model 990 was compatible with existing high-performance video sources and display products as well as with newer units just entering the market. With DVI switching, our customers will not be penalized in the future with an inability to connect and switch digital video devices.

Even if we had chosen HDMI switching, we would not have attempted to include audio in the circuitry. Unfortunately, "audio enabled" HDMI is still a moving target; the HDMI 1.2 standard is still not ratified as this is written, and the rumored 1.3 standard is far off in the distance. There is some speculation that the "final" HDMI standard might require not only software but also hardware upgrades. In our opinion, any company currently offering "audio enabled" HDMI is, at best, gambling on the forward compatibility of their products to any final standard. Outlaw has chosen not to risk future compatibility for current bragging rights.

We do agree that "solid block" HDMI-to-DVI converters may be a bit problematic, due to their bulk and weight. For that reason, Outlaw now offers cables with a DVI connector on one end and an HDMI connector on the other. This completely eliminates the physical connection problems others have encountered.

2. Joel mentions that he perceived a "slight loss of bass definition" when he directly compared the Model 990 to the MC-12 on the soundtrack of U-571. We are a bit puzzled by this observation. The Cirrus Logic 49400 DSP used in the Model 990 is one of the most accurate processor chips in the industry. There should be no detectable difference in bass unless there was either a slight misadjustment in the level of the signal sent to the subwoofer or, perhaps, the MC-12 was inadvertently set for Logic 7 enhancement during the comparison. Those conditions notwithstanding, the bass should be identical in both units.

3. The issue of bass management for the 7.1-channel input is a difficult one. As Joel comments, in true bypass, the 990 remains perfectly transparent, enabling the use of internal bass management in the source player. Joel states that the Model 990 does not offer bass management, which is incorrect. The Model 990, as well as his MC-12, allow for full digital bass management on the 7.1 input, including speaker delay timing. It is possible, though unlikely, that the extra encode and decode stages might be audible when compared to the original signal. However, if that is a problem, Outlaw offers the ICBM (Integrated Controlled Bass Manager), which delivers a flexible, virtually transparent bass-management solution.

No one can reasonably argue that the bass-management issues for both SACD and DVD-A were poorly thought out. (Indeed, that is why the ICBM exists.) While Outlaw and other preamplifier manufacturers do they best we can, there will always be compromises. At the end of the day, unless you were to purchase a dedicated player and receiver (or processor) from the same manufacturer with a proprietary digital interface, you will always "pay your money and take your choice"—a real pact with the audiophile devil.

4. Joel mentions that an RF remote is required to send signals from the second zone remote. While RF is certainly an option, if the user simply runs a wire for an IR sensor along with the speaker cables to the remote room, a remote IR sensor can easily be added and connected to the Model 990. (To be completely fair, if the speaker wires are already in place, say in the walls of the house, then running a remote wire after the fact is not so convenient or simple.—SW)

These minor quibbles aside, we are pleased that Joel views the Model 990 as we intended it—a great value in a high-performance preamplifier/processor.

Thank you,

The Outlaws