This thread may be almost worn out, but, my 2 cents: I am a new owner of a used 1050, and I can compare the 1050 to the Yamaha 5250 that I now use in a second system. 90% of my use of both receivers is with movies.

I always seemed to have trouble understanding dialog with the Yamaha--the 1050 seems clearer somehow (even my wife, who thinks a one-speaker AM radio sounds pretty good [please don't share this description with her]) agrees. I also feel there is better channel separation with the 1050. True, the 1050 has only about 1/4 the audio modes of my Yamaha, but I only used a few of the Yamaha modes, and the ones I used are on the 1050. Regarding PL v. PL II, I preferred PL on my Yamaha--less delay, clearer sound. As for power, my Yamaha has 100 wpc, and my typical volume was at about 30% in a fairly large room with 35 foot ceilings. The 1050 does fine at about "65" or less.

We may all be rationalizing our purchase of the 1050, but I am very pleased with what I have. Further, try to find this kind of board and peer help with the other brands you are considering!

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Michael Stano

Outlaw 1050
Klipsch KG 3.2s frt & rr
Klipsch KV 3 center
Klipsch SW 10 sub
Mitsubishi DD 8020 DVD
Mitsubishi HS U70 SVHS
Mitsubishi 46" 16:9 TV

Yamaha HRT 5250
AR PS 2052 frt & rr
AR PSC 25 center
AR PSB S108 sub
Sony DVP-C660 DVD
Sony SLV-N70 VHS
Sony 32" TV