There are a number of people with the 1050 and very inefficient speakers (87 or 88 dB). I'd anticipate it being very comparable to the 730's 75W/channel -- I replaced a Yamaha RX-V690 with a 1050 (from 80W to 65W) and found the 1050 was actually seemed more powerful.

I suspect that you can probably find something to provide surround without losing the Snells. You may want to go with a phantom center channel, since getting a well-matched center is more important (and in your case more difficult).

Phono to Toshiba, Toshiba tape out to 1050. 1050 out to Toshiba CD in (or whatever) to patio speakers. I think it'd work without doing anything too odd to the fabric of the universe.

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