Outlaw Audio 750 Amplifier.

Manufacturer: Outlaw Audio; 800/392-1393; www.outlawaudio.com

Price: $1,099 plus $55 shipping and handling

Source: Manufacturer loan

Reviewer: David M. Doll

One has only to reflect on the 13 original colonies to realize that small states can produce big noise. The Outlaw Audio 750 power amplifier is rated at 165 watts per channel with five channels. I've been running one for six weeks day and night (we don't run it at full volume through the night). This amplifier is a big beast and you'll want to place it carefully so you will not need to move it about. I perched it on a massive subwoofer and it is the only furniture combination in the living room that doesn't need dusting (I jest).

It is sold exclusively on the Internet at www.outlawaudio.com. I confess to being reluctant to audition the Outlaw 750 because I feared the 750 referred to its gross weight. It is heavy, but I worked out for a few weeks before taking it out of the box. I fell in love with it immediately after getting it out of the box. It is a foolproof amplifier with five inputs and five speaker outputs. I have reviewed power amplifiers that take weeks to sort out with strange combinations of inputs and outputs making home theater setups a frustrating adventure.

The Outlaw 750 Amplifier is foolproof. I connected it in moments and have been rewarded with marvelously restrained power. My primary care physician reminded me that the temptation of 825 watts of available power could be destructive of my hearing. I assured him that my wife, my daughter, and both dogs are quick to remind me if I push the threshold. And the inevitable ravages of time have served to make me more careful about stopping well before the threshold of pain.

I have listened to some lovely music, vocals, and cinematic thumpers at half power for brief mad interludes but find 7/16th power fills my listening room with solid power and won't make my ears bleed. It grieves me to be a wet blanket but the whole rationale for an amplifier like the Outlaw 750 is that one wants more than ample power to drive one's speakers and then resists the temptation to use it at full power. It's like having a 500 pound pet gorilla. You want it to hug you affectionately but not at full strength.

In summary, this amplifier from Durham, New Hampshire, offers superb performance, ease of installation, reliability, and a relatively modest price (roughly 40% under comparable products sold through retail outlets). It may not have the THX designation but it performs beautifully with a THX speakers and preamplifier. I think I'm going to tell them I've gotten out of shape and suggest they send a courier to collect it. -- DMD