ZDNET’s crucial takeaways
- The Outlaw Audio RR 2160 Mk II stereo receiver is readily available on the business’s online shop for $949.
- It’s a high-end receiver that provides fantastic noise, has lots of inputs and outputs, and has bass management that will flooring you.
- It’s likewise far much heavier than you ‘d anticipate.
“If music be the food of love, use; Give me excess of it,” Duke Orsino stated in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” The soundtrack of my life is filled with music that covers categories, so when I hear audio from top quality devices, I desire those noises in excess (or INXS, as it were).
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It’s typically a stretch to associate the term “budget plan” with audiophile-level devices, however the truth is that items efficient in producing genuinely wonderful audio featured a cost. Even my relied on individual amp, a NAD D 3020 V2would not be thought about near audiophile level, however it still costs $500 (and deserves every cent).
How does the Criminal Audio RR 2160 Mk 11 Stereo receiver fare for its $950 asking rate? Here’s my decision.
My interest was ignited for Outlaw’s “spending plan” amp (we’re discussing a $1,000 price), so I accepted have a look. It ends up that the co-founder of Criminal AudioPeter Tribeman, is likewise among the co-founders of NADthe makers of my individual amp and a highly regarded brand name of high-fidelity audio devices.
The visual and style viewpoint of the RR 2160 Mk II is everything about drawing motivation from the classical styles of old art deco radios with a smooth, practical visual. Let me inform you, they was successful.
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When I unpacked the receiver/amp, my very first idea was, “this looks traditional.” My doubt had to do with how huge and heavy the amp is. It’s a monster; be prepared to utilize some muscle to get this infant established. Here’s what the specifications appear like:
My experience
It took me a while to get this beast all set up, once it remained in location and linked, I positioned Rush’s “Signals” on my Rega P8 turntable, and dropped the needle.
The sound floored me.
I had not ever heard my KEF speakers come to life like that. Every note, every articulation, every beat was clear. I might hear a separation in between the instruments in manner ins which I had not experienced before.
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Yeah, it took me all of 2 tunes to forget my NAD amp (which is sort of unfortunate, since I like that little guy). This Outlaw Audio amp is simply on another level. I can crank this amp up well beyond 11, and the noise still shines. It might not be the most effective receiver/amp on the marketplace, however for a 20′ X 20′ space, this child is more than efficient in threatening the stability of my ear drums.
No matter what category I tossed at the amp, it provided. Metal, classical, prog rock, shoegaze, you call it, the RR 2160 Mk II has what it requires to make you smile, dance, headbang, or simply look at the ceiling, lost in the waterfall of noise.
This amp’s bass management specifically protruded to me. My SVS subwoofer has an integrated crossover that does a pretty good task, however I wished to experiment. If you’re unsure what a crossover is, it permits you to specify what frequency of bass is sent out to the sub. You can choose if you just desire 60Hz for a kick drum punch, or you can improve it to 80Hz or 100Hz to offer the music a beefier bottom.
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In the beginning, I enabled my sub to deal with the cross-over and felt the bottom end doing not have (which was a surprise, offered how substantial this sub is). In the future, I chose to let the amp handle the job, and wow, what a distinction. The bass management in the RR 2160 Mk II is excellent.
After I ‘d offered the amp lots of time to “burn in” (which actually isn’t needed with contemporary devices), I place on among my preferred albums of the year, the “Godzilla Minus One” initial rating by Naoki SatōI’m a huge Godzilla fan, and having this album on vinyl is a genuine reward. Unlike listening to ball game through the NAD amp, the RR 2160 Mk II actually provided the music a kaiju-like size it had not formerly taken pleasure in.
I cranked the noise as much as -30 dB and seemed like I was back at the movie theater, seeing the movie for the very first time. It was a wall-rattling, giant, gorgeous experience.
ZDNET’s purchasing guidance
I actually can’t state enough advantages about this amp. TheCriminal Audio RR 2160 Mk II has all the connections and outputs you require, outstanding bass management, bass and treble changes, and a large remote, however more significantly, the noise is actually unique. From the bottom to the top, this amp shines with expanding depths and gleaming highs.
The probability of discovering a much better receiver/amp for $1,000 is quite slim. If you wish to get real, audiophile-quality noise from your devices, you finest get your hands on among these charms.
Criminal Audio RR 2160 Mk II tech specifications
- 110 watts per channel, 20Hz – 20kHz, 0.05%
- 7 analog inputs (consisting of a high-end phono preamp for MM and MC cartridges), an external processor loop (such as for an EQ), and numerous digital inputs for high-resolution audio
- Web radio and streaming: Access to TuneIn web radio and dual-band Wi-Fi for streaming services
- Integrated bass management with a real crossover system
- Preamp outputs and primary amplifier Inputs
- Main and secondary speaker outputs
- 2 sub outputs (with switchable crossover)
- Weight: 36 pounds
- App readily available for streaming
This post was initially released on July 23, 2024, and was upgraded on May 7, 2025.
