Prior to the existence of the internet, audio and video enthusiasts purchased gear from brick-and-mortar stores. For higher-end equipment buyers relied on the small mom-and-pop specialty stores. Mainstream electronics were sold from larger brick-and-mortar stores like BestBuy, both were fun. For some, buying high-end gear from the small specialty shop could be intimidating. These shops were knowledgeable about the gear they sold. The big box stores had less expensive gear and often less knowledge about what they sold. These scenarios made entering the high-end hobby a challenge for novice buyers.
Some industry insiders realized a chunk of potential buyers didn’t have a place to buy AV equipment from. I remember when Outlaw Audio were established and launched the Outlawaudio.com website selling their gear directly to consumers at very reasonable prices in 1998. As a 28-year-old audiophile with very little disposable income for audio, I felt encouraged seeing their high-end gear for a very small fraction of what I was used to. After a few months and positive magazine reviews, I bought my first power amplifier. Prior to this purchase, I was only able to afford small two-channel receivers and figured a dedicated power amplifier was way out of my league. Outlaw Audio was formed from bright industry insiders who saw the potential. Here’s a statement from the founders of Outlaw Audio: “We bitch about the state of the audio industry, its mark-ups and corporate interference. Quickly we realized that those of us sitting around the table could be some of the first to use this platform to offer the best values in the industry.” Outlaw Audio paved the way for many direct-to-consumer companies. They are still selling high-end gear in a very competitive direct-seller market.
I believe there are still buyers out there unaware of this avenue of purchasing high-end electronics, so I thought I’d construct a list of direct-to-consumer manufacturers we recommend. These companies are currently selling their branded gear and have a robust website and strong customer support and great sounding gear. Here we go….
Emotiva | Emotiva.com
Emotiva was created as an OEM/ODM manufacturer making products for other brands. In 2003, Emotiva became a stand-alone brand missioned to domesticate audio. Emotiva reminded me of Outlaw because they offered big power and very high value. Emotiva quickly established their brand as an alternate way to purchase real high-end audio at real world prices. They are a model for customer service and support which is evident on their robust website. The passionate team at Emotiva continued to grow the company using the same model into a giant in 2026. Their products are readily available and they never stop innovating. I’ve been attending Axpona and Capital Audio Fest audio shows since 2002 and love them for the gear and to be around other gear-nuts. As with other hobbies, audiophiles praise and bash manufacturers they know nothing about. It’s normal and we all love to toss our opinions around, don’t judge. In all my years, I’ve never heard a bad thing about Emotiva, only praise. Emotiva’s Story from their website: “Emotiva began with a bold vision to democratize high-fidelity audio, making premium sound accessible to enthusiasts without the exorbitant price tags that had become synonymous with the industry. Frustrated by the escalating costs and shrinking accessibility of top-tier audio equipment, founder Dan Laufman set out to redefine the market. Emotiva has been committed to pushing boundaries in audio technology. By leveraging direct-to-consumer sales models and cutting-edge engineering, Emotiva has consistently delivered products that surpass expectations at competitive prices.” Here are some standouts from their product lines:
Emotiva XDA-3 Differential Reference DAC / Preamplifier | $799
- Balanced analog input and output
- For digital inputs plus and HDMI ARC for TV listening
- Can be used as a stand-alone DAC or as the central command center for your system
- The XDA-3 can beat up most DACs under $2,500. Overall, very difficult to beat regardless of price
Emotiva Differential Reference Design Series Stack | $2,599
- Recently launched
- Consists of four separate components:
- Power Amplifier
- Pre Amplifier
- Music Streamer
- D/A Digital Converter
- All separates with their own power supplies
- Gorgeus to look at
- Great build quality
- Can buy one at a time
SVS | SVSOUND.com
SVS started their journey as a direct-to-consumer company selling high performing and value subwoofers. Right of the jump, the website lets you know they will serve and support your purchases. Their customer service is excellent before and after purchases. The company continues to innovate and expand their product line to include high-end loudspeakers. They have a wide range of subwoofers including wireless technology and in-wall subwoofers. SVS is a go-to resource for consumers and other manufacturers looking to add subwoofers to their rooms. Volti Audio pairs their remarkable $25,000 horn speaker systems with SVS subwoofers, how is that for credibility. Like Emotiva, you can’t go wrong adding SVS subwoofers to your two-channel rig or home theater. Today, SVS sells their products online and from brick-and-mortar stores expanding their reach even further.
SVS PB17-Ultra R|Evolution ubwoofer | $2,999
- Top of the line 17” subwoofer
- Ported enclosure
- SVS app for setup and auto EQ room correction
- Arrives at your home on a pallet
SVS Single 3000 In-Wall Subwoofer System | $1,999
- Dual 9-inch long throw woofers
- Sealed MDF cabinet fits between your wall studs
- Separate 800-watt amplifier
- SVS app for setup and auto EQ room correction
- Two would be better for a large room $2,999
Schiit Audio | Schiit.com
Based in Texas, Schiit Audio manufactures electronic components in their home state. The company was started in 2010 by two industry veterans tapping into the headphone amplifier market. Schiit has a wide variety of products ranging from inexpensive headphone amplifiers to $3,200 mono speaker amplifiers. They recently launched Forkbeard which basically gives you access inside the machine to tweak, equalize, volume, and component status. Forkbeard uses Bluetooth between your phone and the component and requires no login or personal information. It’s a $50 upcharge for most of their products. Schiit sets themselves apart from other manufacturers by being transparent, very comforting with the high prices demanded by hi-fi companies. They regularly introduce new products and update existing gear. They offer modules so the consumer can easily perform the upgrade themselves. Schiit is known for audiophile sound and very high value. Here are some products worth mentioning:
Schiit Audio Mimar DAC | $299
- Mesh DAC
- Balanced inputs and outputs
- Four digital inputs
- Unison 384 USB
- Made in U.S.A
- Preamplifier and equalizer using Schiit’s Forkbeard app
Schiit Audio Valhalla Headphone Amplifier and Preamplifier | $499
- Tube design with two preamplifier tubes and two output tubes
- Three gain settings, one with no feedback
- Built in U.S.A.
Schiit Audio Jotunheim Headphone Amplifier and Preamplifier | $499
- Truly discrete and balanced design
- Forkbeard control
- Unison 384 USB
- Mesh DAC
Schiit Audio Tyr Mono Power Amplifier | $3,400 a pair
- 200-watts per amplifier
- Custom made choke-input power supply
- Balanced inputs
- 55 pounds each
- Made in U.S.A
- Stereophile recommended component
Outlaw Audio | outlawaudio.com
Launched in 1998 specializing in high-valve power amplifiers by industry insiders looking to tap into this segment. They are a buttoned-up firm clearly focused on the consumer. They took calls and emails answering various questions and helping buyers set up their system. Dealing with Outlaw Audio was a different experience because it felt welcoming and folks were more comfortable asking novice questions they wouldn’t ask at the small high-end shop. These bright minds used what they learned after years in the industry and figured out a way to incorporate those learnings into an actual product. For the budget-strained audiophile this was groundbreaking. I was able to buy my first high-end power amplifier for $750 and had it for years. Here are two current products revered by music lovers:
- 110 watts x 2
- Phono inputs for MM and MC cartridges
- Four digital inputs
- Bass management
- Vintage design
- Robust power
- Audiophile sonics
Outlaw Audio 7000x 7-Channel Power Amplifier | $1,099
- 130 watts x 7 with all channels driven simultaneously. Most competing multi-channel receivers or amplifiers provide the rated power when only two channels are driven simultaneously.
- Great build and big-warm sound
- Excellent for home theater sounds and very good for two-channel listening
- Remarkable value
Our recommendations reflect our personal experience with the equipment reviewed and should be considered alongside your own listening preferences and room acoustics. We encourage readers to audition audio equipment whenever possible. Great sound is personal, and the best component is the one that brings you closer to your music.
