Venturing outside my usual review territory, I recently found myself evaluating the Outlaw Audio RR2160MkII integrated amplifier. While I don’t frequently delve into high-end audio equipment, I can certainly recognize quality when I hear it and notice when music sounds better. This amplifier proved to be a pleasant surprise, offering both impressive features and solid performance.
The Outlaw Audio RR2160MkII makes a strong impression in the integrated amplifier arena with its impressive suite of features and solid performance, all priced at a reasonable $999.
Hailing from Massachusetts and established in 1999, I’ve found that Outlaw Audio has a reputation for crafting audiophile-grade products. From my time with it, the RR2160MkII continues this legacy by offering a versatile solution for modern audio enthusiasts.
Why Consider Owning a Receiver for Your Audio Setup
Before diving into the review, it’s important to consider why a product like the Outlaw Audio RR2160MkII remains relevant in today’s digital age. While streaming and wireless connections are widespread, many consumers still appreciate the traditional ways of connecting and enjoying music.
Just as vinyl records have experienced a resurgence, there’s a significant audience that values the tactile and reliable nature of wired connections. Additionally, enthusiasts often prefer accessing their music from a variety of sources, making an integrated amplifier a versatile and essential component in their audio setup.
A receiver serves as the heart of a dedicated audio system, offering centralized control for all your music sources. Whether you’re connecting a turntable, CD player, streaming device, or smartphone, a receiver simplifies switching between inputs, reducing cable clutter and enhancing organization. It not only amplifies your audio signals with clarity and power but also supports high-resolution audio formats, ensuring that every detail in your favorite tracks is vividly reproduced.
Modern receivers come equipped with versatile connectivity options, including analog, digital, and USB ports, allowing you to connect a wide range of devices effortlessly. Many also feature built-in streaming capabilities, giving you easy access to services like Spotify and Qobuz directly from the receiver. Additionally, customizable sound settings such as equalizers and room correction help tailor the audio output to your personal preferences and room acoustics. Investing in a high-quality receiver ensures superior sound quality, future-proofs your setup against evolving audio technologies, and enhances your overall listening experience.
Design
The RR2160MkII is a hefty unit, measuring 5.75 inches high, 17.1 inches wide, and 16.5 inches deep. Its industrial design, inspired by art-deco-era radios, sports a steampunk front panel that might not win any beauty contests but certainly stands its ground. The front face is quite busy, housing numerous buttons, dials for volume, bass, treble, and balance, along with multiple USB inputs. This design choice mirrors the amplifier’s feature-rich nature but does mean you’ll need a dedicated spot to display this bulky performer.
I find it would like right at home in today’s modern rooms but yet it still feels like something you’d see in your uncle’s setup from back in the day- whether that was the 80’s, 90’s, or early 2000’s.
Features
Outlaw Audio didn’t hold back with the RR2160MkII’s features. It boasts four analog inputs, a phono preamplifier, two digital coaxial inputs, two optical inputs, three USB-A ports, and a USB-B port. Additionally, it includes two subwoofer outputs and built-in Wi-Fi for internet radio streaming.
The accompanying app allows users to stream from platforms like Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz, making it easier than ever to access your favorite tunes. For those into nitty gritty details, the Burr Brown chipset DAC and an amplifier that delivers up to 100 watts per channel into eight ohms and 165 watts into four ohms ensure that this amplifier is not just feature-packed but also powerful.
Setup
Setting up the RR2160MkII involves connecting various audio sources, including turntables, CD players, and streaming devices. The amplifier supports both wired Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections, though entering network credentials via the front-panel interface can feel a bit like solving a puzzle.
The Outlaw Audio app simplifies streaming setup, providing access to multiple streaming services and allowing control from your smartphone or tablet. While the absence of an HDMI input aligns with its audio-focused design, you might be forgiven for looking for one on the back.
General Performance
The amplifier delivers a neutral sound profile, maintaining clarity and accuracy across different volume levels. Testing it with my most high-end speakers revealed no noticeable distortion, even at higher volumes. Its power delivery ensures that it can drive demanding speakers effectively, making it suitable for both entry-level and, I’d easily assume more seasoned audiophile setups.
Audio Quality
The RR2160MkII shines in audio reproduction, handling a variety of music genres with precision. Tracks like Jimi Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower” and Pink Floyd’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” showcased the amplifier’s ability to deliver detailed instrument separation and maintain audio integrity at high volumes. Sprinkling in Daft Punk, Kishi Bashi, and Max Richter proved to be an enjoyable experience. There’s something so cozy and comfortable when hearing music that was engineered with love through quality speakers, headphones, and receiver.
The built-in DAC performed admirably, uncovering subtle nuances in recordings and ensuring high-resolution audio playback. Additionally, the phono preamplifier supports both MM and MC cartridges, catering to vinyl enthusiasts with diverse cartridge preferences.
Remote Control
While the RR2160MkII boasts an impressive array of features, the remote control leaves a bit to be desired. The supplied remote is a standard universal model—fully functional and key-lit—but its ergonomics are less than stellar.
The volume up/down buttons are buried amidst a sea of similarly sized and shaped buttons, making it a bit of a treasure hunt to find the right one when you need it. Navigating through numerous functions can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, detracting slightly from the overall user experience. However, once you get the hang of it, the remote still serves its purpose without major hiccups.
Value
At $999, the RR2160MkII offers significant value by integrating multiple high-end features into a single unit. I had to do a bit of investigating but found that when compared to competitors (PS Audio Sprout 100, NAD C 3050, and Cambridge Audio CXA81), the Outlaw Audio provides more input options and higher power output without a hefty price tag. This comprehensive feature set makes the RR2160MkII an attractive option for those seeking an all-in-one audiophile solution without breaking the bank.
Warranty
Outlaw Audio backs the RR2160MkII with a two-year warranty, providing peace of mind regarding the product’s longevity and reliability. This warranty coverage enhances the overall value proposition, ensuring that users can invest confidently in the amplifier.
Setup and Listening Experience
During extensive listening sessions, the RR2160MkII demonstrated its ability to handle various audio sources seamlessly. Whether streaming high-resolution files from USB or accessing streaming services, the amplifier maintained consistent audio quality. The inclusion of bass management features allows for effective integration with subwoofers, enhancing the overall soundstage without overworking the main speakers.
Pros
- Extensive input options, including MM and MC phono preamplifiers
- High power output of up to 165 watts per channel into four ohms
- Built-in Wi-Fi and comprehensive streaming capabilities via the Outlaw Audio app
- Robust audio performance with a neutral sound profile and detailed reproduction
- Two-year warranty providing added value and reliability
Cons
- Industrial and large design may not suit all aesthetics or spaces
- Somewhat cluttered front panel with numerous buttons and dials
- Outlaw Audio app interface feels a bit outdated
- Lacks HDMI input and on-board Bluetooth connectivity
- Remote control ergonomics could use improvement
Awarded to products with an average rating of 3.75 stars or higher, the AndroidGuys Smart Pick recognizes a balance of quality, performance, and value.
Products with this distinction deserve to be on your short list of purchase candidates.
Verdict
The Outlaw Audio RR2160MkII integrated amplifier delivers a compelling package for audiophiles seeking a feature-rich and high-performing amplifier without exceeding a $1,000 budget.
Its robust design accommodates a wide range of inputs and streaming options, while its powerful amplification ensures compatibility with high-end speakers. Despite some design and interface drawbacks, the RR2160MkII offers exceptional audio quality and value, making it a strong contender in the integrated amplifier market.
Whether you’re building an entry-level audiophile system or upgrading an existing setup, the RR2160MkII deserves serious consideration—and maybe a little shelf space. As someone who has a handful of products spaced around the home, I look forward to consolidating things and putting them in a central location, giving them a new lease on life.
