I didn’t expect a retro amp to sound so perfect in every style – but it makes it better

Outlaw Audio RR2160 MK II

ZDNET Highlights

• The Outlaw Audio RR2160 MK II Stereo Receiver is available online for $949.
• This is a high-end receiver that delivers amazing sound, has plenty of inputs and outputs, and has bass management that will impress you.
• It’s much heavier than you expect.

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Duke Orsino in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” said, “If music be the food of love, play on; give me plenty of it.” The soundtrack of my life is full of music that spans a variety of genres, so when I listen to audio from high-quality equipment, I want those sounds in abundance (or, as it were, INXS).

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It’s often a stretch to associate the word “budget” with audiophile-level devices, but the reality is that products capable of producing truly great audio come with a price tag. Even my trusty personal amp, a NAD D3020 V2wouldn’t be considered anywhere close to audiophile level, but it still costs $500 (and is worth every penny).

So, how does it happen? Outlaw Audio RR2160 MK11 Stereo Receiver Fare its $950 asking price? This is my decision.

My curiosity was piqued for Outlaw’s “budget” amp (we’re talking about a $1,000 price tag), so I agreed to take a look. It turns out that the co-founder of Outlaw AudioPeter Triebman is also one of the co-founders NADManufacturer of my personal amp and a respected brand of high-fidelity audio equipment.

The aesthetic and design philosophy of the RR2160 MK II is all about taking inspiration from the classical designs of old Art Deco radios with a sleek, functional aesthetic. Let me tell you, they succeeded.

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When I unboxed the receiver/amp, my first thought was, “It looks old-fashioned.” My second thought was how big and heavy the amp is. It is an animal; Be prepared to use some muscle to get this baby settled. Here’s what the details look like:

my experience

It took me a while to fully set up this monster, but once it was in place and connected, I placed Rush’s “Signal” on my Rega P8 turntable, and dropped the needle.

The sound overwhelmed me.

I had never heard my KEF speakers come to life like this. Every note, every note, every beat was crystal clear. I could hear separation between instruments in a way I had never experienced before.

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Yep, it took me two songs to forget my NAD amp (which is a bit sad, because I love that little guy). This Outlaw Audio amp is on a whole other level. I can even crank this amp past 11, and the sound still shines. It may not be the most powerful receiver/amp on the market, but for a 20′ X 20′ room, this baby is capable of threatening the integrity of my eardrums.

It didn’t matter what style of amp I used, it delivered results. Metal, classical, prog rock, shoegaze, you name it, the RR 2160 MK II has it all to make you smile, dance, headbang or stare at the ceiling lost in a waterfall of sound.

I particularly like the bass management of this amp. My SVS subwoofer has a built-in crossover that works quite well, but I wanted to experiment. If you’re not sure what crossover is, it allows you to define which frequency of bass is sent to the sub. You can decide if you only want 60Hz for the kick drum punch, or you can boost it to 80Hz or 100Hz to give the music better bottom.

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At first, I let the crossover handle it all and felt a lack of bottom end (which was a surprise, considering how heavy this sub is). Later, I decided to let the amp do the work, and what a difference it made. The bass management in the RR2160 MK II is fantastic.

After I’d given the amp enough time to “burn in” (which isn’t really necessary with modern equipment), I put on the original “Godzilla Minus One” score, from one of my favorite albums of the year. naoki satoI’m a huge Godzilla fan, and having this album on vinyl is a real treat, Unlike listening to the score through a NAD amp, the RR2160 MK II really gave the music a kaiju-like shape I hadn’t enjoyed before,

I turned the sound up to -30dB and it felt like I was back in the cinema, watching a movie for the first time. It was a wonderful, gorgeous, beautiful experience.

ZDNET’s shopping advice

I really can’t say enough good things about this amp. Outlaw Audio RR2160 MK II It includes all the necessary connections and outputs, stellar bass management, adjustable bass and treble settings, and a large remote. More importantly, the sound is truly extraordinary. From bottom to top, this amp shines with soaring depth and bright highs.

The chances of finding a better receiver/amp for $1,000 are very slim. If you want to get true, audiophile-quality sound from your equipment, you would be best off adopting one of these beauties.

Outlaw Audio RR2160 MK II Technical Specifications

• 110 watts per channel, 20Hz – 20kHz, 0.05%
• Seven analog inputs (including a high-end phono preamp for MM and MC cartridges), an external processor loop (such as for EQ), and multiple digital inputs for high-resolution audio
• Internet Radio and Streaming: Access to TuneIn Internet Radio and dual-band Wi-Fi for streaming services
• Built-in bass management with a true crossover system
• Preamp output and main amplifier input
• Primary and secondary speaker outputs
• Two sub outputs (with switchable crossover)
• Weight: 36 pounds
• App available for streaming

update log

• This article was originally published on July 23, 2024 and was fully fact-checked and updated on December 19, 2025.