I am planning to upgrade my receiver. I currently have a Pro-Logic Pioneer VSX-504S that puts out 110 watts/channel (probably inflated rating). My front speakers are Original (Large) Advents, the center channel is a Cambridge Soundworks Centerstage. the surrounds are CSW Surrounds, and I have a CSW Basscube 12. My goals are to have Dolby Digital/DTS and stronger, clean power - especially for the Advents and music. I am also looking at a B stock Onkyo 797 for $699. I would appreciate any advice. thanks in advance.

I just purchased the 1050 and love it, it sound like alot more power than 65 watts, it is built like a tank, very heavy. The sound is great, I would compare close to Carver equipment. You have 30 days to return it so how can you go wrong. My bet is that you will keep it after you hear the sound and see the receiver!

Back in college, I had a Pioneer VSX-401 stereo receiver. It was replaced by a Yamaha RX-V690 pro-logic receiver (80Wx3, 25Wx2 for surrounds) in 1997, which was a noticeable improvement. The upgrade to an Outlaw 1050 in 2000 was an even bigger step up in sound quality than the Pioneer to Yamaha step. I enjoyed my 1050 greatly for almost two years before upgrading to a 950 -- it's a nice sounding piece of equipment. I would expect it to compare very favorably to the Onkyo.

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

So the 1050 will be able to drive the Large Advents? Are there any sensitivity issues? If there is no problem, I will get a 1050. I appreciate all the helpful comments.

My speaker system is a pair of Polk SDA-1c's for mains, a CS-400 for center and a pair of larger Advents doing surround. I also use a 1050. Although I currently use external amplification, the 1050 drove the Advents with ease when I used its internal amplification.

I also had good luck driving Paradigm Reference Studio/60's with a 1050. You should have no problem.

As I recall, I think psklenar drive some older large Advents (I could be wrong) with his 1050 when he got his Model 950. He's now driving Onix Rocket RS750's with it, and very pleased with the combination.

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

I have a set of Infinity IL 50's and the 1050 sounds great, this receiver can push almost anything!

I have very inefficient (86dB) speakers and the 1050 drives them just fine. I seem to have to set the displayed volume higher than everyone else, but I haven't had any problem with doing that. It still will play a lot louder than I can stand for more than a short period of time.