Outlaw Audio Model 7125 Seven Channel Amplifier Reviewed

Published On: November 23, 2011
Last Updated on: October 31, 2020
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Outlaw Audio Model 7125 Seven Channel Amplifier Reviewed

Outlaw Audio continues to offer a lot of power for a reasonable price with the Model 7125 seven channel amplifier. HomeTheaterReview.com managing editor Andrew Robinson tests out the amp to see how that power sounds.

Outlaw Audio Model 7125 Seven Channel Amplifier Reviewed

By Author: Andrew Robinson

Andrew Robinson began his career as an art director in entertainment advertising in 2003, after graduating from Art Center College of Design. In 2006, he became a creative director at Crew Creative Advertising, and oversaw the agency's Television Division, where he worked for clients such as TNT, TBS, History, FX, and Bravo to name a few. He now has one of the most popular AV-related channels on YouTube.

Outlaw-7125-multichannel-amp-review-angle.jpgOutlaw Audio has been at the forefront of the Internet-direct audiophile and home theater movement; hell, you could make the argument that they were the ones that started it all. While Outlaw Audio may not be the sole player in the Internet-direct space, it doesn't mean they've taken a back seat either. While all Outlaw Audio products embody the phrase "Value for money," one of their biggest successes is their Model 7125 seven channel amplifier reviewed here.

Additional Resources
• Read more multi-channel amp reviews by HomeTheaterReview.com's staff.
• Find an AV preamp to pair with the Model 7125.
• Explore Bookshelf Speakers and Floorstanding Speakers for the Model 7125 to drive.

Retailing for $999, the Model 7125 is a 125-Watt, seven channel amplifier aimed at the home theater enthusiast with either a budget-oriented AV preamp or an AV receiver with pre-amp outputs. The Model 7125 can easily be integrated into either of the before mentioned systems and in the case of AV receivers, give your system more power. The Model 7125 is a good looking piece in the same way a simple black suit or dress will never go out of style. While housing seven channels of amplification, the Model 7125 still manages to be compact and manageable in terms of its overall size and weight; measuring just under six inches tall by 17 inches wide and 16 inches deep and tipping the scales at a hefty 51 pounds. In terms of connectivity, the Model 7125 offers up seven unbalanced RCA style inputs as well as seven five-way binding posts that can accept all types of speaker terminations from bare wire to spade lugs. The Model 7125 comes with a hardwired power cord as standard as well as a single 12-volt trigger.

Under the hood the Model 7125 boasts a new custom designed 1.6 kVA torrodial transformer as well as six discrete output devices per channel. As I said earlier, the Model 7125 churns out a solid 125-Watts into eight Ohms and power increases to 190-Watts into four Ohms. These figures are real world with all channels driven full-range with total harmonic distortion coming in at less than .05 percent.

In terms of sound quality the Model 7125 is an Outlaw Audio product through and through, meaning it possesses a rich, full bodied sound that exhibits solid control throughout the bottom end of the spectrum coupled with smooth highs. The Model 7125 may come off as a touch dark compared to other affordable options, though this is a good thing (at least to me) for it imparts a sense of richness that plays well with a wide variety of material - whether that material is movies or music. The Model 7125's midrange performance is its party piece and among the best you'll find under a grand and a few ticks more. The Model 7125's high frequency performance is nuanced and delicate though not as airy as some, though it's not distracting and again serves a wide variety of material well. Dynamically, the Model 7125 doesn't disappoint, for it has loads of control and the ability to be positively explosive when called upon even for an amp of so-called modest power output. If you have a relatively new AV receiver or are thinking of upgrading your old one in order to get more power, I strongly urge you to check out the Model 7125 for it may be the best upgrade to any AV receiver based system I've seen - especially if money is tight.

Read about the high points and low points of the Model 7125 on Page 2.

Outlaw-7125-multichannel-amp-review-rear.jpgHigh Points
The Model 7125 is attractive but not flashy and is simple and easy to use. It has more in common with a wood-burning stove in terms of reliability than many other affordable, Internet-direct sold suitors.
The Model 7125 is designed and assembled right here in the USA.
For those with lower powered AV receivers, the Model 7125 is a wonderful upgrade and addition towards the creation of a higher end sounding and performing system. Even if your AV receiver is rated to or around the Model 7125's reported power output, you'd be surprised how different your system will sound with a separate power amplifier.
The Model 7125's sonic traits are in line with the rest of the Outlaw lineup of amps including its costlier siblings such as the 7500 and even the 7900.
The Model 7125's sound works well for movies (obviously) though it's surprisingly musical and even manages to take some of the edge off lower resolution recordings making them not only listenable but also enjoyable.

Low Points
The Model 7125's binding posts aren't impressive though they more than get the job done, though those with spade terminated cables may come to loathe their grooved plastic surrounds.
For those with less sensitive loudspeakers, their larger rooms may be underserved by the Model 7125's power output. Thankfully, Outlaw has you covered for the logical next stepup would be their 7200, which retails for $1,849 and churns out 200-Watts per channel into eight Ohms and 300-Watts per into four.

Competition and Comparison
One cannot mention Outlaw Audio or anything Internet-direct without mentioning Emotiva, which is arguably Outlaw's number one competitor. Currently on Emotiva's site there is no 125-Watt multi-channel amp solution though historically that responsibility has fallen to the UPA-7. The UPA-7 boasts largely the same power output as the Model 7125, though it doesn't quite pack the same punch, employing a smaller transformer, fewer output devices - not to mention greater total harmonic distortion. At the time of this review Emotiva no longer offers the UPA-7, though when they did it sold for $699.

Other possible contenders include Parasound's Halo A52 as well as NAD's T-975, both of which cost considerably more than the Model 7125 - a testament to the 7125's performance and value.

For more o
n these multi-channel amplifiers as well as others please visit Home Theater Review's Multi-channel Amplifier page.

Conclusion
Outlaw Audio has managed to pack quite a bit of amplifier into their Model 7125 seven channel amplifier for its modest, sub $1,000 price. While there are numerous 125-Watt multi-channel amps available today, some costing as little or close to the Model 7125's asking price, the simple fact remains that if you're looking to break into the separates game, there are few better options than taking the first step with Outlaw Audio's Model 7125. The 7125's mix of power, finesse and musicality coupled with its modest asking price make it a no-brainer in terms of getting my recommendation.

Additional Resources
Read more multi-channel amp reviews by HomeTheaterReview.com's staff.
Find an AV preamp to pair with the Model 7125.
Explore Bookshelf Speakers and Floorstanding Speakers for the Model 7125 to drive.

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