UltimateAVmag.com: Buyer's Guide: Surround Preamps/Processors: Budget Choice

	Ultimate Bang for the Buck. These components establish the Ultimate in price/performance ratio, challenging the performance of the Ultimate and Premier Choice components at a fraction of the price.


	Outlaw Model 990 $1,099 Output channels: 7.1-channels, single-ended and balanced Decoding: DD, DD EX, ProLogic IIx, DTS, DTS-ES Discrete/Matrix/Neo:6/DTS 24/96 Ins and outs: Two coax and five toslink digital audio, two DVI and three component video, one 7.1-channel analog, one USB, RS-232 Highlights: DVI and component video switching, 24/192 A-D and D-A conversion, CD upsampling to 24/192, auto setup and calibration with included microphone, AV sync delay, multi-source/multi-zone, backlit programmable remote The Skinny: The self-proclaimed Outlaws of audio have done it again with the Model 990, offering a stunning package of meaningful features and pure performance at a price that's nothing short of ridiculous. In addition to balanced outputs, CD upsampling to 24/192, and component switching it offers DVI switching (which is compatible with HDMI video via a simple breakout cable), and auto setup and calibration, which are seldom found on even more expensive components. The Model 990 is an astounding component at $1099, competing with products that cost much, much more.
	Rotel RSP-1068 $1,699 Output channels: 7.1-channels (seven main channels, two subwoofers); single-ended Decoding: DD, DD EX, ProLogic IIx, DTS, DTS-ES Discrete/Matrix/Neo:6/DTS 24/96 Ins and outs: Three coax and two toslink digital audio, three component video, one 7.1-channel analog, RS-232, two 12V triggers Highlights: 24/96 A-D and 24/192 D-A conversion, component video switching with 100MHz bandwidth, AV sync delay, multi-source/multi-zone, backlit programmable remote The Skinny: Rotel's RSP-1068 is one of the rare bargain-priced components with performance that simply shatters "good for the money" expectations. The suite of features here is fat, and the overall clarity, transparency and dynamics of this controller wowed us from start to finish. The surrounds are expansive, and yet effects are very precisely and convincingly located in space. The RSP-1068 more than holds its own with very best, and far more expensive pre/pros that RD has heard, and ergonomically it's a treat to use on a day-to-day basis. This is a rock solid, "above and beyond" effort from Rotel.