Schiit Vidar Outlaw RR2160

Hi John -

I have owned the Outlaw RR2150 for the last 12 years and it has been running all this time without a problem.  Superb product.  

This month's Stereophile has an excellent, in depth review of the RR2160 and its capabilities.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/outlaw-audio-rr2160-stereo-receiver

The Outlaw comes with a built in phono preamp, so I don't know why you feel the need to invest in a preamp.

Your new Pro-ject Espirit will work out just fine with the Outlaw..  What cartridge do you have ... Ortofon Red M?  If you ever wish to upgrade, consider swapping out the stylus with the stylus from the Ortofon Blue M.    

As for the speakers, the Outlaw is powerful enough and good enough to drive many different speakers.  It benefits from using better cables (i.e.:  Audioquest interconnects, Audience OHNO speaker cables).  

There are 3 combinations that I have used over the years that I have especially liked:

Omega Super 7 MKII (https://omegaloudspeakers.com/collections/monitor-speakers/products/super-7-monitor-speaker?variant=...) @$1000

Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 (http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM1/srm1.html) @ $850

Wharfedale Denton Anniversary (https://www.musicdirect.com/speakers/wharfedale-denton-80th-anniversary-bookshelf-speakers-pr) @500 (marked down from $1000)

Outlaw RR 2150 has received mixed feedback on this site and mostly from people who have not owned it any appreciable length of time.  No matter.  It is a good receiver.  If you decide that it is not right for you, consider the updated Rega BRIO R integrated amp.  It also has a built in phono preamp.


Rich  

Hi John -

I am a bit out of my depths when it comes to streaming devices. I am strictly LPs and CDs. What Ethos is saying sounds ok. You may also what to check out Outlaw’s Saloon to see if there are any relevant discussions.

http://saloon.outlawaudio.com/ubbthreads/

I don’t have any experience with the Tekton speakers, outside of the posts here on Audiogon, which can get somewhat polarizing when the discussions get going.

Something I might consider though is taking the budgeted $500 for a preamp and putting in towards speakers. Speakers in the $1500 to $2000 range would elevate this system up a real level or two, sound wise. And granted I get the possibilities of adding streaming to the mix.

At $2K, the Watkins Generation Four have really caught my eye. No experience with them, but from what I read they have me thinking about pulling the trigger.

http://www.watkinsstereo.com

I have always been a fan of single driver speakers and have had Omega speakers in my systems for the last 15 years. I like the looks of these a lot (Omega Junior XRS) and what I have found with Omega speakers is that the driver size adds an incredible amount of oomph to the sound. Also, the Omegas are heaven with solo vocals, both male and female.

https://omegaloudspeakers.com/collections/tower-speakers/products/junior-8xrs?variant=38555245196

Obviously, there are many more to consider at $1500 to $2000.

As for interconnects, I have the following in my systems and I am happy with them. They also don’t cost a tremendous amount of money and are good value.

Audioquest Diamondbacks

Audioquest King Cobra

Audioquest Black Mamba II

Kimber Kable PBJ

https://www.musicdirect.com/cables/audioquest-diamondback-interconnects

https://www.musicdirect.com/cables/audioquest-king-cobra-interconnects-pr

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AQBMII

https://www.musicdirect.com/cables/kimber-pbj-interconnects-pr

With speaker cable, I splurged a bit and went with the Audience OHNO product.

https://www.needledoctor.com/Audience-OHNO-Speaker-Cable?quantity=1&custcol115=7&custcol120=...

I do a fair amount of scouring the reviews and message boards and then purchasing on-line. I attend shows and audition when I can, but that is hit or miss in NYC, especially since I work long hours and travel for business.

I have 3 systems that all see a lot of use and fundamentally have remained in place for a long time.

#1 -

Prima Luna PL5 tube power amp (12 years)
Musical Fidelity CD PRE24 cd player & preamp (12 years)
SONY SCD555 ES SACD player (16 years)
Parasound Zphono preamp (1 year)
Pro-ject Classic Anniversary Turntable (1 year)
Opera Platea Floorstander Speakers (9 years)

#2 -

Rega Brio R integrated amp (3 years)
Unico CD player (1 year)
Technics 1200GR turntable (new)
Parasound Zphono preamp (1 year)
Omega Super 7 MKII monitors ( 3 years)

#3

Outlaw RR2150 receiver (12 years)
Wharfedale Denton Anniversary monitors (1 year)
Panasonic 500P blu ray player (4 years)
Rega Apollo CD player (12 years)

Rich

@guscaldas

In his original review of the Outlaw 2150 receiver (2006), Mike Fremer noted that the USB port was not all that great.  You may wish to check his review in Stereophile

https://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/306outlaw/index.html

Rich