The Resurgence of the Pure Stereo Receiver
In a world dominated by ultra-compact smart speakers, complex multi-channel AV receivers, and digital-everything wireless ecosystems, the classic two-channel stereo setup has undergone a fascinating and powerful renaissance. True music lovers and audiophiles have rediscovered a simple truth: if you want a deeply moving, expansive, and authentic musical experience, nothing beats a high-quality two-channel integrated amplifier or stereo receiver. You do not need a dozen speakers around your room to achieve musical bliss; you need clean power, a stellar digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a dedicated phono stage, and the ability to let your speakers perform at their absolute best.
This is where Outlaw Audio steps into the spotlight. Affectionately known as “The Outlaws” in the hi-fi community, this consumer-direct brand has built a cult-like following by cutting out the middleman. By bypassing traditional retail distribution markups, they deliver high-performance, overbuilt audio components directly to your door at prices that cause traditional hi-fi brands to sweat.
The original Outlaw Audio RR 2160 was an absolute legend in its class, praised by reviewers and owners alike for its incredible value and muscular, neutral sound. Now, we have the Outlaw Audio RR 2160 Mk II Retro Stereo Receiver. Priced at $1,149, this updated heavyweight keeps the unique steampunk aesthetic of the original but injects a selection of much-needed modern features, including dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet connectivity, and streamlined access to internet radio.
If you are looking for a powerful hub that can comfortably manage modern digital streaming, physical high-resolution files, a television optical line, and a vintage vinyl turntable, the RR 2160 Mk II promises to do it all. But does it live up to the legendary reputation of its predecessor, and is it worth the $1,149 investment? In this comprehensive, in-depth review, we will explore every nook and cranny of this retro beast to find out.
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Product Overview
The Outlaw Audio RR 2160 Mk II is a Class AB stereo receiver that stands out immediately. The phrase “built like a tank” is thrown around far too often in product reviews, but the Mk II genuinely earns it. Weighing in at a hefty 28.3 pounds and measuring 5.75 inches high, 17.1 inches wide, and 16.5 inches deep, this is a full-sized, deeply robust piece of electronics that demands a dedicated shelf on your audio rack.
Underneath the hood, the RR 2160 Mk II features a custom-designed, high-current power amplifier section powered by a massive toroidal transformer. It utilizes completely separate circuit boards for each channel to minimize crosstalk and preserve stereo separation. The receiver delivers a continuous, conservative 110 watts per channel into 8 ohms and a highly impressive 165 watts per channel into 4 ohms. Crucially, unlike many modern receivers that advertise peak power numbers measured under misleading conditions, Outlaw’s power ratings are full-bandwidth, both channels driven from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with a microscopic total harmonic distortion (THD) of just 0.05%.
The front panel remains a striking homage to art-deco and mid-century radio design, complete with a steampunk-inspired aluminum faceplate and tactile dials. Alongside these retro controls, the rear of the machine is a masterclass in comprehensive modern and analog connectivity:
- Analog Inputs: Four line-level RCA inputs, plus an exceptional phono stage that is selectable for both Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) cartridges.
- Digital Inputs: Two coaxial inputs, two optical inputs, a rear USB-B input (for streaming directly from a PC or Mac), and two USB-A ports (one front, one rear) for playing digital files from thumb drives.
- Radio & Networking: Built-in HD FM/AM tuner, dual-band Wi-Fi, and a physical RJ-45 Ethernet port for stable streaming and TuneIn internet radio.
- Outputs: Two sets of heavy-duty, multi-way speaker binding posts (Speaker A/B), dual subwoofer outputs with switchable analog bass management, physical pre-out/main-in loop jacks, a fixed record-output jack, and an external processor loop.
- Headphone Jack: A front-mounted 1/4-inch jack fed by a dedicated headphone amplifier circuit with its own independent volume dial.
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Pros: Why the RR 2160 Mk II Stands Out
Muscular, Effortless, and Neutral Sound Quality
First and foremost, a receiver is judged by how it sounds, and the Outlaw Audio RR 2160 Mk II is an absolute home run in this department. Its pure Class AB power is incredibly effortless, clean, and dynamic. It does not try to artificially color your music with bloated bass or overly sweet, warm midrange; instead, it presents the recording exactly as it was intended to be heard. Whether you are listening to acoustic jazz, heavy progressive rock, aggressive metal, or sweeping orchestral scores, the Mk II handles transients with absolute authority. The soundstage is remarkably expansive, wide, and deep, offering pinpoint imaging that makes your speakers completely disappear into the room. Upgrade to this unit, and you will hear subtle instrumental details and vocal breaths that cheaper amps simply smear away.
Genuine Analog Bass Management
Most modern stereo amplifiers that feature a subwoofer output do something quite lazy: they simply send a full-range signal to your main speakers and a duplicate full-range signal to the sub output, forcing you to rely entirely on the subwoofer’s built-in low-pass filter. Outlaw Audio, however, implements a true, highly sophisticated two-way analog crossover system. Using a small slide switch on the rear panel, you can choose to cut off the low bass from your main speakers at 60 Hz, 80 Hz, or 100 Hz. By redirecting those power-hungry, ultra-low frequencies to an active subwoofer, you free up massive amounts of headroom for both your main speakers and the receiver’s amplifier. This results in a cleaner, punchier midrange, tighter bass integration, and overall lower distortion at high volumes.
High-End, Selectable MM/MC Phono Stage
Vinyl has enjoyed a massive resurgence, but many receiver manufacturers treat the phono input as a cheap afterthought. Outlaw did the exact opposite. They integrated a genuinely low-noise, high-fidelity phono preamplifier that features a physical switch to toggle between Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) cartridges. This is an incredibly rare feature in a receiver at this price, as high-end MC cartridges usually require expensive external step-up transformers or standalone phono preamps. The background hum is practically nonexistent, allowing the warmth, detail, and dynamic contrast of your records to shine through beautifully.
Premium Burr-Brown PCM1792A DAC
To ensure your digital sources sound as spectacular as your analog ones, the RR 2160 Mk II uses a highly regarded Burr-Brown PCM1792A digital-to-analog converter. This high-performance DAC handles up to 24-bit/192 kHz high-resolution files with ease. When you run an optical cable from your television, stream from a network drive, or connect a PC via the USB-B port, the Burr-Brown DAC delivers a smooth, highly detailed, and pleasingly natural sound signature that lacks the harsh, sterile “digital glare” associated with cheaper DAC implementations.
Seamless WiFi & Internet Radio Integration
While the original RR 2160 required a hardwired Ethernet connection to access network audio, the Mk II introduces built-in dual-band Wi-Fi. This makes it incredibly easy to stream thousands of global internet radio stations via TuneIn without routing cables across your living room. For those who enjoy falling asleep to global jazz broadcasts or waking up to international news, this feature turns the receiver into a self-contained window to the world’s audio.
Front-Panel Tone Controls and Speaker EQ
Audiophile purists sometimes look down on tone controls, but the reality is that not all rooms, speakers, or recordings are perfect. Outlaw equips the RR 2160 Mk II with analog Bass, Treble, and Balance dials right on the front face, allowing you to instantly tame a bright recording or add a bit of warmth to a thin track. If you prefer a pure, unadulterated signal path, you can bypass them entirely with the push of a button. Additionally, a dedicated “Speaker EQ” switch on the front adds a subtle, well-engineered 6 dB boost at 55 Hz—perfect for breathing a bit of extra life and authoritative punch into smaller bookshelf speakers.
Unrivaled Physical Connection Flexibility
From the physical pre-out/main-in jumpers (which let you use the Mk II solely as a preamplifier or a power amplifier) to the external processor loop (perfect for integrating a vintage graphic equalizer or modern DSP room correction), this receiver is built for tweakability. Having the ability to power and switch between two entirely independent pairs of speakers (Speaker A and B) makes it incredibly easy to set up a secondary listening zone, like a kitchen or outdoor patio, using a single receiver.
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Cons: Where the RR 2160 Mk II Falls Short
No Built-In Bluetooth or HDMI Connectivity
For a receiver released in the modern era, the total omission of built-in Bluetooth is a head-scratcher. If a guest wants to quickly pair their phone to play a song, they can’t do it out of the box without you purchasing an external Bluetooth receiver/dongle to plug into one of the auxiliary inputs. Furthermore, the lack of an HDMI ARC or eARC port is a missed opportunity. While you can easily run an optical cable from your TV to the receiver, you won’t be able to control the receiver’s volume using your television’s remote control, slightly complicating a modern living room integration.
Cheap and Non-Ergonomic Remote Control
The supplied remote control is incredibly large and button-heavy, but it feels surprisingly plasticky and cheap when compared to the absolute tank-like construction of the receiver itself. The button layout is not intuitive, making it frustrating to find specific inputs or navigate menus in a dimly lit room. For a product priced at $1,149, we really expected a more premium, backlit, or metal-faced remote control.
Barebones and Clunky Mobile App
While the addition of Wi-Fi and network streaming is highly appreciated, Outlaw’s free iOS and Android companion app is basic and clunky. It does not feature the polished, lightning-fast user interfaces of proprietary ecosystems like Sonos, BluOS, or Yamaha’s MusicCast. It gets the job done for selecting internet radio stations or pulling music files from a local network-attached storage (NAS) drive, but it feels a bit dated and slow.
No Home Theater Bypass (HT Bypass)
If you are someone who wants to combine a high-end stereo setup with a multi-channel home theater system, you might run into roadblocks. The RR 2160 Mk II lacks a dedicated Home Theater Bypass input. This means you cannot easily route the front-channel pre-outs of an AV surround processor through the Outlaw receiver without manually fiddling with the volume knob to find a level match every single time you watch a movie.
Divisive “Steampunk” Faceplate Aesthetics
Aesthetics are entirely subjective, but the design of the RR 2160 Mk II is polarizing. Its busy front panel is packed with buttons, switches, dials, and a retro, two-line dot-matrix screen. While vintage enthusiasts and steampunk fans will absolutely adore this unique, industrial, and tactile look, those who prefer sleek, minimalist, or modern designs might find it a bit cluttered and visually overwhelming for their living spaces.
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Customer Reviews Analysis
The Outlaw Audio RR 2160 Mk II sits at a highly respectable 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, compiled from 21 customer reviews. This high average rating indicates a very high level of customer satisfaction, with the vast majority of buyers feeling that the receiver surpassed their expectations.
Breaking down the ratings, roughly 75% of reviewers awarded it a perfect 5-star rating, while another 17% gave it 4 stars.
The 5-star reviews almost unanimously praise the receiver’s sheer power and musicality. Several customers noted that they replaced expensive, multi-thousand-dollar separate preamplifier and power amplifier stacks with this single Outlaw box and noticed zero loss in soundstage width, clarity, or dynamic punch. Vinyl collectors are particularly thrilled with the phono stage, stating that it runs incredibly quiet and coaxes deep, velvety textures out of their record collections. Multiple users also highlighted the outstanding analog bass management, mentioning how easily they were able to integrate their subwoofers for a seamless “wall of sound”.
On the flip side, the 3-star and 4-star reviews focus heavily on the unit’s modern connectivity quirks. Several buyers expressed frustration with the set-up process for the internet radio over Wi-Fi, noting that entering Wi-Fi passwords using the remote and the tiny two-line screen can be tedious. The lack of built-in Bluetooth is a common complaint among those who wanted an all-in-one convenient family streamer, and a few buyers expressed disappointment with the basic, slightly unpolished nature of the free smartphone app. Despite these minor software and ergonomic complaints, almost every reviewer agreed that when it comes to raw sound reproduction, the Outlaw is an absolute champion in its price class.
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Who Should Buy the Outlaw Audio RR 2160 Mk II?
This receiver is not a generic mass-market product designed to appeal to everyone; instead, it is a highly specialized piece of gear built for specific types of audio lovers.
You should buy this receiver if:
- You are a vinyl enthusiast: The outstanding MM/MC phono stage is easily worth several hundred dollars on its own. If you want to hear your turntable perform to its maximum potential without messy external boxes, this is the perfect solution.
- You run a 2.1 channel system: If you love utilizing a high-quality active subwoofer alongside a pair of premium bookshelf or tower speakers, the true analog bass management built into this receiver is a total game-changer.
- You value raw, clean, Class AB power: If you have demanding, hard-to-drive speakers (like 4-ohm nominal impedance or low-sensitivity speakers) and want an amplifier that can drive them effortlessly to cinema-like volumes without breaking a sweat or distorting, this is a powerhouse.
- You love tactile, physical controls: If you miss the days of physically adjusting bass and treble knobs, switching speaker outputs with a satisfying click, and looking at an industrial, art-deco-inspired faceplate, the Outlaw’s retro design will bring immense joy to your daily listening routine.
You should skip this receiver if:
- You are building a multi-channel home theater: If you want surround sound (5.1, 7.1, Dolby Atmos) or need multiple HDMI inputs to switch between a gaming console, Apple TV, and Blu-ray player, you should buy a dedicated multi-channel AV receiver instead.
- You demand ultra-convenient, modern wireless streaming: If your household relies entirely on quick Bluetooth pairing, AirPlay 2, or slick, multi-room app control, the barebones nature of the Outlaw app and lack of built-in Bluetooth will likely frustrate you.
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Final Verdict
The Outlaw Audio RR 2160 Mk II Retro Stereo Receiver is an absolute triumph of analog engineering updated thoughtfully for the digital age. While it has a few minor modern omissions—most notably the lack of built-in Bluetooth, a dedicated HDMI ARC port, and a rather basic mobile app—it more than makes up for these shortcuts where it matters most: pure, unadulterated sound quality.
For $1,149, Outlaw Audio is delivering an overbuilt, high-current Class AB amplifier that generates a true, full-bandwidth 110 watts per channel of clean, effortless power. When you combine that muscle with a high-fidelity Burr-Brown DAC, a stellar MM/MC phono stage, physical pre-out/main-in loops, and the best analog bass management system you can find on a stereo receiver at any price, you get an absolute bargain.
If you are a music-first listener who values tactile control, pristine audio fidelity, and rugged build quality, the Outlaw Audio RR 2160 Mk II is a phenomenal investment. It honors the golden age of high-fidelity stereo while giving you just enough modern connectivity to keep your digital library alive and kicking. It is highly recommended!
