Outlaw 2220 Review (Monoblock Amplifier)

[peng]

The multi-tone @ 5 watts tells us nothing because the artifact occurs at a higher power level.

During our listening sessions we compared the M200 and Parasound A21 level matched but without quick switching. At low levels, there water no issues but at moderate to loud the M200 was not as pleasant as the A21. Different tech may require additional tests.

Do we really know that at switching into low impedance loads that audible artifacts do not occur.

- Rich

Electrically speaking, for lower impedance load, the required voltage is lower so switching to high voltage will occur at higher power output.

 

[RichB]

Electrically speaking, for lower impedance load, the required voltage is lower so switching to high voltage will occur at higher power output.

I am not an EE, so I'll defer.

Do you agree that the 5 watt multi-tone test is not going to expose the harmonic distortions that may be occurring when the amp switches rails?

- Rich

 

[peanuts]

what i dont like about monoblocks, you pay a bit more per channel and it takes up alot more space.

 

[levimax]

what i dont like about monoblocks, you pay a bit more per channel and it takes up alot more space.

Yes but no cross talk, better cooling @ high power, can be located closer to the speakers, and they look cool.

 

[Xulonn]

Just a wild guess here but I think we've seen class D amps with toroidal linear type power supply

Even vacuum tube amplifiers can use toroidal transformers, but the only one I can remember seeing is this AricAudio "Transcend" EL34 PP amplifier (from Aric Kimball). He states that he uses "Toroid power transformer for low EMI".

 

[Newman]

@amirm your power graphs say “both channels driven”.

 

[jimroge]

Good results here. I would love to see the Outlaw RR2160 stereo reciever tested. I've been looking at one for a long time now. Good review on Stereophile, I'd like to see what the test here show.

 

[iraweiss]

Thanks for another great review, @amirm. Regarding your concern about the ON/OFF switch been on the back, there is a Standby button on the front and the amp has auto-ON sense function as well.

http://outlawaudio.com/outlaw/docs/2220OM.pdf

I looked at the front of my 2220 and could not find anything but the indicator light. And I know what it says in the manual...

 

[ShiZo]

why do some amps have problems having the bass extend all the way to zero (this is even better than normal)? Whereas for SS dacs and preamps it doesn't seem to be an issue

 

[iraweiss]

FWIW if you haven't done so compare the 2220 with the previous generation 2200.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...s/outlaw-2200-m-block-amplifier-review.11403/

It's striking how similar the performance is with the major difference being the improved frequency response in the 2220 as Amir pointed out. You could almost chalk it up to variations off the production line.

My only regret, and I have been kicking myself for over a year, is that I didn't buy my three 2220 amps when Outlaw briefly had a 2020 holiday sale that offered the bundle price plus an additional discount for $270 for each amp, plus shipping. Oh well... He who hesitates is lost.

 

[amirm]

@amirm your power graphs say “both channels driven”.

Yeh, I noticed that but was too lazy to override the default title for graphs.

 

[amirm]

why do some amps have problems having the bass extend all the way to zero (this is even better than normal)? Whereas for SS dacs and preamps it doesn't seem to be an issue

I have to check but it may be because I have put a DC filter in the measurement. DC can confuse AP sometimes and hence for the filter (> 10 Hz).

 

[iraweiss]

I have to check but it may be because I have put a DC filter in the measurement. DC can confuse AP sometimes and hence for the filter (> 10 Hz).

Amir, did you test the amp through the balanced or unbalanced input?

 

[amirm]

Amir, did you test the amp through the balanced or unbalanced input?

All my testing was balanced as noted with "XLR" designation on the graphs.

 

[amirm]

Someone asked about the gain. It is always in the dashboard:

As you see, it is 27.6 dB which is a bit lower than nominal 29 dB.

 

[iraweiss]

All my testing was balanced as noted with "XLR" designation on the graphs.

I guess it's my vision as well as my hearing that is an issue. Sorry I missed it.

 

[dfuller]

As you see, it is 27.6 dB which is a bit lower than nominal 29 dB.

Still, 27.6dB should be plenty sufficient - given roughly 0.2V input for 5W output, this amp should be driven to full power by any DAC that can do 2V output.

 

[Thomas_A]

Very nice. Wonder how hot it gets.

 

[iraweiss]

Very nice. Wonder how hot it gets.

The 2220 doesn't get hot at all. After playing music all day the amps are barely warm to the touch on top. I'm giving them two inches of space to the shelf above, one amp per shelf.

 

[amirm]

I left it on overnight by accident and it was barely warm on top. So idle current is low. If it is class G, that is the reason for low idle dissipation.