Jeremy,
This is as close to helpful as I can be on this topic:
I had a Harman Kardon AVR 55 AC3 receiver. Wasn't bad, although now, it's very outdated. It was rated at 55 watts per channel, and was a "high currrent" design. I have tremendously efficient speakers (Klipsch). My friends all thought the system cranked (and sounded good), but I felt it was lacking.
Enter the amplifier !!
Huge difference, especially in the bottom end.
Some of this is going to have to do with your speakers. Some are better at reproducing lower frequencies than others. Klipsch aren't really known for their bottom end, but a seperate amp made all the difference to me.
I know that this doesn't speak about the 1050, but the H/K was comparable (+/-), and I know the 1050 is better.
Bottom line ??...
Try an amp.