Newcastle Separates

[okiepolkie]

Does anyone happen to know much about Newcastle equipment. I know they are basically Sherwood, but beyond that, I don't know much about them. I do know that Sherwood is generally lower priced stuff with decent features and performance. As far as I know, they don't rate as high as Denon or HK, but might be a little better than the entry Sony lines.

Anyway, here are their current offerings for separates: Sherwood/Newcastle

They have a few Newcastle brand receivers as well that look a little better than the Sherwood offerings,but I don't know much about performance.

What do they compare to? I'm thinking they are about the same class as Outlaw, Atlantic Technology, and Sherbourn, but I really don't know.

Thanks,

Zach

[audiobliss]

I don't know how they compare to anything, but if they're not better than HK or Denon, I'd say they're not as good as Outlaw, 'cause I thought Outlaw was better than HK and Denon.

[Danny Tse]

I can't prove it, but I suspect Sherwood is the OEM manufacturer of Atlantic Technology, Outlaw, Boston Acoustics, and Denon components.

Wasn't there a thread somewhere that compared the new pre/pro's of AT and Outlaw to Sherwood Newcastle's?

[okiepolkie]

Maybe I should rephrase that a little bit. The Sherwood receivers are about a half step below at least Denon. They don't have a lot of features, but they seem to perform well with what they have.

From what I've gathered so far, the Newcastle line is supposed to be a step or two above the Sherwood items. They seem to have a lot more features than the entry level Sherwoods, and the specifications give power for all channel driven and one channel given(looking at the A965).

The amplifier looks to be in about the same power range as the Outlaw 7100, but I don't know how it compares sonically.

I have found a little more about them than that, but as a comparison, I wanted people to know that it was affiliated with Sherwood.

[okiepolkie]

can't prove it, but I suspect Sherwood is the OEM manufacturer of Atlantic Technology, Outlaw, Boston Acoustics, and Denon components.

The Outlaw 950, Atlantic Tech pre/pro(don't remember model #), and the Sherbourn pre/pros are essentially the same pre/pro, with some modifications done to distinguish them, but I don't think the Newcastle is in that same lineup.

You might be right that they are an OEM for those companies. That is why I'm asking about this stuff here, because I don't know.

[2+2]

IIRC, the NEW Outlaw pre/pro is a modified Newcastle with a different facia....look at the back and innereds are similar, with Outlaw adding balanced outputs...Newcastle is considered much better than Sherwood line and people like them for value and HT...as to music, some like, some dont...

[aaharvel]

I've heard that Sherwood's Newcastle performs well. Performs well against what I don't know. My primary concern would be with the company that makes it in general.
Bottom line, I'm thinking there's better stuff out there for the same amount of $.

[wingnut4772]

I have the Sherwood Newcastle P965 and it sounds amazing. I have owned an Onkyo 701 receiver and an Outlaw( 950) and the P-965 blows them away. I also have friends with Sony, Yamaha, Denon and Pioneer receivers and they all want my pre/pro.
I have heard that the new Outlaw 990 sounds similar. If so, that is an incredible bargain as it offers a few more features than the Sherwood and retails for less but I highly recommend the 965.

[okiepolkie]

The main reason I asked is because I can get these from my distributor for my home theater business. I don't have the money to invest in a set for myself at this point, so I was just checking to see if they might be worth recommending to clients. I'm going to try to find a close dealer for my own listen, but I'm not very optimistic about it. Thanks for the input so far guys.

Zach

[Dennis Gardner]

The P965/A965 would be a great option IMO for the owner that wanted separates performance with great asthetic appeal in a theater rack. The Outlaw 990 is a reconfigured 965. The room EQ on the pre is pretty cool too, but a little quirkey in the first firmware releases.

Worth checking into, from what I know.

Zach, your comments about Denon, HK, rating higher is true for the receiver lines, but the 965 line can't be touched by HK or Denon receivers. Truely a cut above the mainstream BB, CC offerings.