OUTLAW AUDIO’S RR2160 MkII Receiver is PACKED w⧸ FEATURES! But Did They Go TOO FAR？
United States of Analog | November 2, 2024
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
This video is a review of the Outlaw Audio RR2160 Mark II stereo receiver, priced at $1,000. The host Bob is examining this “retro receiver” and discussing whether Outlaw Audio went too far with their design choices. He’s covering the form factor, extensive features, performance, and pros/cons of this full-size stereo component.
What gear, products, or brands are discussed?
- Outlaw Audio RR2160 Mark II: $1,000 stereo receiver with 110W/channel (8Ω), 165W/channel (4Ω), Class AB amplification, built-in streaming, HD radio, headphone amp, phono preamp for MM/MC cartridges
- Technics SUG 700: Host’s favorite amp that he owns, mentioned for comparison of build quality and dimensions
- Outlaw Audio (company): Direct-to-consumer company formed in late 1990s by former NAD and Atlantic Research employees
- Emotiva: Mentioned as a competitor that Outlaw beat to the direct-to-consumer space
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- [00:00:14-00:00:20] Poses the central question: what’s more important – how a component looks or sounds, suggesting Outlaw forces you to decide
- [00:04:00-00:04:58] Critical of the Art Deco styling, saying nobody has ever asked for a receiver with “30s tabletop radio style” and finds it counterintuitive to the Outlaw brand
- [00:05:23-00:05:27] Believes $1,000 is “about the right price” for this feature set
- [00:05:28] Calls it a “connectivity powerhouse”
- [00:06:41-00:06:44] Says there are “so many other devices that you can connect to this, it’s almost ridiculous”
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- Appreciates the extensive connectivity and features for the price point
- Critical of the Art Deco front panel design, viewing it as potentially divisive
- Impressed by the build quality, comparing it favorably to his beloved Technics amp
- Values the direct-to-consumer approach for delivering features at a lower price
Were there any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?
- [00:06:46-00:07:07] Humorous subscription request: “punch that notification bell really hard until it hurts. Punch it real good” and asking viewers to “hype me like there’s no tomorrow, like you’re some kind of hype machine”
- [00:04:22-00:04:28] “I don’t think anybody has ever asked me, hey Bob, do you know of a receiver that has kind of an Art Deco 30s tabletop radio style?”
- [00:05:07] Teases getting input from “10 of my friends” about the design later in the video
Summary
In this opening portion of his review, host Bob from United States of Analog introduces the Outlaw Audio RR2160 Mark II, a $1,000 stereo receiver that he describes as both impressive and challenging. He immediately establishes the central tension of the review: whether the unit’s extensive features can overcome what he sees as questionable aesthetic choices. The receiver boasts serious specifications with 110 watts per channel into 8 ohms, Class AB amplification, and an almost overwhelming array of connectivity options.
Bob provides helpful context about Outlaw Audio as a direct-to-consumer company founded by industry veterans in the late 1990s, positioning them as pioneers in the space. He’s clearly impressed by the build quality, comparing it favorably to his own Technics SUG 700, and appreciates the robust 30-pound, full-width construction that harkens back to classic receiver designs. The connectivity options are genuinely extensive, including seven analog inputs, multiple digital inputs, phono preamp capabilities for both moving coil and moving magnet cartridges, dual subwoofer outputs, and even provisions for powering external devices.
However, Bob’s main critique centers on the Art Deco-inspired front panel styling, which he finds incongruous with the “Outlaw” branding and potentially off-putting to potential buyers. He suggests this design choice forces consumers to prioritize either aesthetics or functionality, rather than getting both in harmony. Despite this reservation, he acknowledges that the $1,000 price point represents solid value for the feature set offered, particularly given the direct-to-consumer model that eliminates traditional retail markups.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
Gear, Products, or Brands Discussed
[00:07:55-00:15:54] Outlaw Audio RR2160 MkII receiver; Weem and Bluesound apps (streaming comparison); Andover Songbird app; Tidal, Amazon, Spotify streaming services; Marantz 2245 receiver; Technics SUG700; ZOO DWX speakers; Klipsch Forte 4s; Klipsch RP600M First Generation speakers
Host’s Key Findings, Verdicts, or Opinions
[00:08:08-00:08:14] Remote control is well-built (backlit, heavy duty, solid) but has too many buttons and volume buttons should be larger
[00:08:25-00:08:29] The amount of features “blows my mind” – they packed an incredible amount into this unit
[00:08:55-00:09:02] Outlaw’s streaming app is simple but not as user-friendly or complex as Weem or Bluesound apps
[00:11:53-00:12:28] Sound quality is “good” and “great” but you’re not buying this for optimum audiophile sound – that would require separate components costing thousands more
[00:12:31-00:12:44] This is for people wanting an all-in-one unit prioritizing convenience alongside good sound
[00:13:12-00:13:28] No HDMI due to licensing costs that would add $100-200 to the price – they stayed in the “retro receiver lane”
[00:14:52-00:15:08] Klipsch RP600M speakers weren’t the right scale for this unit – “big unit deserves big speakers” to fit the retro vibe
[00:15:23-00:15:28] Built-in phono preamp is comparable to a $100-150 outboard phono preamp
[00:15:31-00:15:47] Headphone amp “gets the job done” but isn’t spectacular – convenience-focused rather than premium
Listening Tests or Sound Quality Observations
[00:09:32-00:09:36] Streaming sounded very good
[00:10:25-00:10:31] Loudness feature recommended by Outlaw’s Brian – adds punch and character to the neutral sound
[00:10:40-00:11:07] Sound is neutral (AB-class neutral vs. digital neutral of Technics SUG700) – characterizes it as neutral rather than harsh or warm, which is ideal for a foundation to tailor with built-in sound-shaping features
[00:14:17-00:14:30] Sound is “very pleasing,” “exciting,” “dynamic,” “non-threatening,” and “not harsh” – 110 watts per channel handles speaker demands well
[00:15:51-00:15:54] Vinyl playback had “great soundstage, great imaging” but maybe not as much depth
Price/Value Assessments
[00:12:14-00:12:28] For optimum audiophile sound, separate components (amp, DAC, phono preamp, headphone amp) would cost “thousands of dollars”
[00:13:21-00:13:28] HDMI licensing would add $100-200 to the base price
[00:15:39-00:15:42] Reference to this being a “$1,000 system” when explaining they wouldn’t include a “$2,000 headphone amp”
Comparisons to Other Gear
[00:08:58-00:09:09] Outlaw app compared to Weem/Bluesound (more complex) and Andover Songbird (similar simplicity with rotating disc)
[00:10:17-00:10:25] Loudness feature compared to 1970s receivers like Marantz 2245 but “a little more refined”
[00:10:44-00:10:51] Sound neutrality compared to Technics SUG700 – “very small difference” between AB-class neutral and digital neutral
[00:15:00-00:15:08] Klipsch RP600M performance compared unfavorably to Forte 4s and ZOO speakers when used with this receiver
Vinyl Records, Albums, or Music Discussed
[00:15:16-00:15:18] Host mentions “some of the vinyl I was listening to” and shows records but doesn’t specify particular albums or artists
Audiophile Tips, Advice, or How-To Content
[00:10:28-00:10:31] Outlaw’s Brian recommended leaving the loudness feature on all the time
[00:11:07-00:11:24] Advises starting with neutral sound as foundation for tailoring with built-in sound-shaping features
[00:15:08-00:15:16] Suggests “big unit deserves big speakers” – recommends larger speakers to match the scale and retro vibe of the receiver
Memorable Quotes or Strong Takes
[00:08:25-00:08:29] “I don’t even really know where to start because this thing kind of blows my mind with the amount of stuff that they packed in here”
[00:10:36-00:10:40] “It takes a very neutral-sounding device like this receiver and just gives it a little more punch and a little more character”
[00:11:53-00:11:56] “I’m gonna sound like a knucklehead here and say the sound is good”
[00:12:36-00:12:44] “The type of person…wants a unit that’s kind of all-in-one. You’re looking for not just good sound, but convenience”
[00:13:34-00:13:38] “This is big. Like the receivers of yesteryear, you’re gonna have to have space for this”
[00:14:51-00:15:08] “I will say right off the bat, I don’t believe that the 600Ms were the right scale for this unit…I think big unit deserves big speakers”
[00:15:47-00:15:49] “This unit’s all about convenience”
Summary
This portion of the review focuses heavily on the Outlaw Audio RR2160 MkII’s extensive feature set and overall philosophy as a convenience-oriented all-in-one receiver. The host is genuinely impressed by the sheer number of features packed into the unit, including FM/HD radio, built-in streaming with its own app, bass management, speaker EQ, and a refined loudness function that he recommends keeping engaged. He positions this receiver as targeting users who prioritize convenience alongside good sound quality, rather than those seeking the absolute best audiophile performance that would require expensive separate components.
The sound quality assessment reveals a neutral, non-threatening character that the host views as an ideal foundation for using the receiver’s various sound-shaping features. He notes the streaming capabilities sound very good, and the built-in phono preamp performs comparably to a standalone unit in the $100-150 range. However, he emphasizes that while the sound is pleasing and dynamic, buyers shouldn’t expect ultimate high-fidelity performance from this all-in-one approach. The 110 watts per channel proved adequate for driving his reference speakers without issue.
The host also addresses some practical considerations, noting the unit’s large size reminiscent of vintage receivers and the deliberate omission of HDMI to keep costs down and maintain the retro aesthetic. His speaker matching experiments revealed that larger speakers like the Klipsch Forte 4s and ZOO DWX paired better with the receiver’s scale and character than smaller bookshelf speakers. Throughout this section, he reinforces that this receiver excels as a feature-rich, convenient solution rather than an ultimate audiophile statement piece, making it ideal for users who want good sound with maximum functionality in a single chassis.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion?
- [15:57-18:37] Outlaw Audio RR2160 MkII receiver (main product being reviewed)
- [16:30-18:14] Vinyl records tested: Bruce Springsteen Soul record, Rollins Way Out West (Contemporary pressing), Earth Wind and Fire (Impex pressing), Shelby Lynn album, War Greatest Hits (Rhino), Van Halen self-titled album
- [17:18-17:29] Impex Records (pressing company – “some of the best pressings you can buy”)
- [17:51-17:55] Kevin Gray mastering, Rhino Records
- [22:04-22:07] Technics (mentioned as comparison for branding/engraving)
What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion?
[18:27-18:32] The host believes Outlaw did “a really good job balancing all the components and all the power into that big silver box.”
[22:13-22:33] Final positive assessment: “You’re bridging the gap here between that fun-fi stuff, sometimes unreliable, and the systems that have all kinds of separate components that cost thousands and thousands of dollars. You’ve made audio accessible and easy for someone that doesn’t want a lot of different boxes.”
Were there any final recommendations — buy, skip, or consider?
[18:24-18:32] Implied positive recommendation based on his praise of Outlaw’s component balancing and power management in the unit.
Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers?
[18:22-18:27] Phono preamp caveat: “Is a $500 level good? Probably not but it gets the job done.”
[21:28-21:34] Philosophical question posed to viewers: “What’s really more important to you in an audio component? Form or function? Or is it both?”
[21:55-22:11] Design advice to Outlaw: “I would simplify the faceplate, take out some of that Art Deco styling. I would take the cowboy off of your logo and actually badge the front panel of this, or engrave it like the Technics did, and just make your brand seem more permanent.”
How did the video wrap up?
[22:37-23:16] The host thanked viewers for watching “United States of Analog” and apologized to Outlaw if he “got a little carried away.” He encouraged Outlaw to “keep being the outlaws in the space, the disruptors” and ended with a standard YouTube call-to-action asking viewers to click on the next recommended video.
Any memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions?
[22:40-22:43] “Thanks to listening to the ramblings of a madman.”
[22:47-22:50] “Keep being the outlaws in the space, the disruptors.”
[20:10-20:21] Regarding the design criticism: “I went a little nuts at the beginning. I get it. I’m sorry, Outlaw… it did kind of grow on me. After a while, it wasn’t such a big concern.”
Summary
In this final portion, the host conducts listening tests with various vinyl records including Bruce Springsteen, jazz albums, and classic rock, praising the Outlaw RR2160 MkII’s soundstage and performance across different genres. He particularly highlights the unit’s phono preamp capabilities, noting it handles both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges well, though he acknowledges it’s not quite at a $500 dedicated phono preamp level.
The host then provides a comprehensive pros and cons analysis, praising the receiver’s 110-watt power, extensive connectivity options, built-in streaming, radio capabilities, and integrated headphone amp and phono stage. He notes downsides including a simplified streaming app, lack of Bluetooth and HDMI inputs, and limited display information. Interestingly, he admits his initial harsh criticism of the unit’s design was overblown, sharing feedback from friends and colleagues who used words like “sleek,” “industrial,” and “retro-futuristic” to describe the faceplate.
The video concludes with the host positioning this receiver as successfully bridging the gap between unreliable “fun-fi” equipment and expensive separate component systems. He offers unsolicited marketing advice to Outlaw about simplifying the design and improving branding, while ultimately praising them for making quality audio accessible in a single, feature-packed box. His final verdict is positive, appreciating Outlaw’s role as disruptors in the audio space who have created a practical solution for listeners who want quality sound without multiple components.
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
