Ok, I just got the 7125 amp this week and am very happy with the sound difference using my 1050 as a preamp. Can anyone advise as to what difference adding the 990 would make to my sound, etc? The speakers I'm using are all paradigm and listed in my signature below. I'm getting the urge to get the 990 as I'm still in the 30 day purchase period of the 7125 so I could get the 990 at the combo deal price.

thanks!

Personally, unless you have a receiver with Auydessy or some high end eq device that works in the time domain, I don't see why anyone would use a receiver as pre/pro. The dedicated pre/pro will have better power supply among other things giving it the slight sonic advantage.

We clearly have similar taste in gear, dvdguru. I had a 1050 a number of years ago (used as a pre/pro, too) and have Paradigm Studio v2's (60's, CC, and ADP's). The upgrade from 1050 to a Model 950 was an appreciable sonic improvement for me, as was the upgrade from 950 to 990 - I'd consider the move from 1050 to 990 to be a very significant and worthwhile upgrade.

Well, call me hard to convince I'm calling outlaw today to get the 990 then. I've got to put my trusty 1050 on ebay too. It's been a great receiver that I've used for 5 years now without a problem.

The 7125 amp already made a big difference as I have better dialogue, midbass, imaging, etc. If I can get even better with the 990 that's all I need to know.

Thanks for the info guys and if you think of any other advantages or improvements I'll hear let me know.

You may already be thinking about this, but you'll have a lot more capabilities for video switching (among other things), which might be a nice convenience feature with the HD plasma display.

Yeah, thought about that and that'll save me from buying an hdmi switcher too. I just hope there's no problem getting the new audio formats. As long as they allow it to feed through the analog inputs I'll be ok. I've got my fingers crossed

From what I've read, the only unit that won't let you get the new audio formats from a 7.1 analog output would be the PS3 (simply because it doesn't have a 7.1 analog output). Dedicated players will have 7.1 analog outs.

UPDATE*** Thanks for the info. My 990 is now ordered and I'm counting the days til' delivery

I was probably going to get a dedicated blueray player anyway as video game machines are never as good anyway.

Congrats!

I ordered the 990 today as an upgrade from the 1050 today, as well. I got the 7500 to go with it. My B&W's have been underpowered with the 1050; I can't wait to hear the change.

Thanks Kahuna and congrats to you too I just put my 1050 up on ebay so hopefully you won't sell yours soon so I have no competition lol If you do, you should probably wait to list it on Saturday night so you have no competition. That's what I did and there's no other 1050's on ebay at the moment but mine.

As far as the difference? I'm using the 7125 with the 1050 and it's already a HUGE difference so you're in for a treat/shock! You'll be more than happy with the difference in dialogue intelligibility, midbass, imaging and overall sound quality. At least I jumped a little at a time going to the 7125 and then the 990 a week later.

For you going straight from the 1050 to the 990/7500 you're gonna be freaking out lol Let us know how you like it when it arrives (as if we don't already know).

Steve

Got a question for Gonk or one of you other experienced 990 users. Is the sound level setup the same as using the 1050 as a pre? Meaning, I just hook up everything to the 7125 amp and then adjust the levels? There's not setting the 990 at a certain level or gain setups, correct?

The concept is exactly the same, but with the on-screen display the process will probably seem easier and clearer than it did with the 1050. Hook the 990 to the 7125, set the 990's volume to 00dB (the only real difference from the 1050, which used a different style of volume control that - the 990's volume varies from somewhere around -70dB to +10dB), and adjust the levels using your SPL meter so they are all around 75dB. You can also try the 990's auto-calibration (plug the included microphone into the front panel, set it around ear-level in the listening position, and let the 990 go to town), but I still find myself getting out the meter and running through the test tones anyway.

I've been reading some great reviews of the 7125--it sounds really sweet. A friend of mine has the same Paradigm fronts in his HT and it sounds amazing...it seems like it would be a really great pairing.

I'm a classic procrastinator, so your 1050 will be long gone before mine ever shows up on eBay! I love how I'll sweat an upgrade decision for weeks/months, but as soon as I place an order, I can't get a shipping confirmation fast enough! ;-)

LOL same here. I just know I want the 990 before the weekend. I volunteered to get 2nd day shipping but Steve said it should ship today and arrive before the weekend so I should be set. I'm also checking email constantly for the shipping notification even though he said it would probably arrive in the morning.

Oh, and don't worry as the 1050 is still selling well on ebay. Usually in the 350.00-385.00 range...

Thanks, Gonk. You just mean use the volume control to reach 00 and go from there, not an actual setting in the 990 correct? Your info will help alot. I'll try both the auto setup and then check the levels with my radio shack meter as well...

What setting do you use on the Shack SPL meter when you calibrate?

It is great to see the 1050 still holding its value. If I got three-four years of pleasure out of it at a net cost of around $150, I'd call that the bargain of the century.

I use C-weighting and slow response.

Thanks Gonk.

Kahuna, you're safe as my 1050 ALREADY SOLD at the buy it now price of $385.00 WOW, I just put it on ebay like 3 hours ago. I believe I paid $550 for the 1050 five years ago as I bought a bstock and when it arrived it was broken. Outlaw promptly sent out a new 1050 at the bstock price. You see, that's why I'm here today with a new 990 and 7125. It's called great customer service!

I've been calibrating with the RS analog meter at 75db, C-weighting and slow response same as gonk.

Wow, that is fast! So what am I going to use as an excuse to procrastinate now? ;-)

FWIW, I use the same settings/readings on my RS digital meter as gonk and dvdguru.

Gonk or someone else. Can someone walk me through what you were talking about setting up the gains. Do I just put it on an input with nothing attached, turn volume to 0 and then let the test tone go? I read over the manual online and didn't see anything about this setup. I mentioned putting it on an input with nothing attached so the cable tv or dvd sound doesn't come blaring out when I turn the volume to 00. thanks

It doesn't matter what input you're on, but it'd probably be easiest to put it on one that's not currently doing anything. Once there, turn the volume up to 0dB and go into the 990's menu. Select "Channel Calibration" and set the test tones to manual (it lets you manually scroll through the different speakers). Then scroll down to the first speaker and adjust it until you get 75dB at "C" weighting and slow on your RS meter. Do that for each channel, although you may end up needed to tweak the sub to taste later. If you are still a little unsure, try looking at page 30 of the 990's manual.

Thanks gonk! Fedex should be here this morning so I'm all set now. I'll post a review later tonight

This message is directed towards dvdguru and Kahuna. I'm interested in your opinions of your recent upgrades from the 1050 to 990 separates. I'm considering upgrading my 1050 and yours or anyone else who has made this specific upgrade comments are welcome. Thanks!

Much better now I don't miss the 1050 in the least. I have much better power (obviously) but also much better midbass, imaging, diaglouge, etc. I think my next upgrade will be room treatment which will really take my sound to the next level. But, even without room treatment it's still much better now.

I've joined the club of separate owners in believing that it's a whole other ballclub with separates. You need enough power for each channel and an amp will do much better than 99% of receivers from what I've read. Especially when you get to much louder levels. I still have clear dialogue at loud levels which I didn't have with the 1050. I think the 1050 was using so much power for explosions, loud sound effects, etc that it was just too much for it.

Now with an amp and prepro everthing just seems "effortless" for lack of a better word. Hope this all makes sense and put that 1050 on ebay I put it up for $385.00 buy it now and mine sold within 3 hours.

Steve

Cisco-
I'm still waiting for my 7500 to show up from California. There's no "Pre-in" on the 1050, so I can't test out the 990 right now. I'll try the 1050's pre-outs with the 7500 first before hooking up the 990. I'll post some impressions this weekend, when I get everything set up.

Thanks for both of your replies. I'm leaning towards the 990/7125/LFM1 combo and I just want to make sure the investment is going to make sense and that I'm in for a noticeable improvement in my sound fidelity. Keep the feedback coming.

Cisco, as I mentioned in an earlier post my upgrade path didn't jump straight from 1050 to 990, but I have had both pieces of equipment and I did notice very positive improvements with both the 1050-to-950 upgrade and the 950-to-990 upgrade.

Kahuna, if you really want to fire the 990 up, you could use an old and rather odd trick for a few days while the 7500 is in transit: hook the 990's pre-amp outputs to the 1050's 5.1 analog input, set the 1050's volume level to something, and cover the 1050's IR sensor up so commands to the 990 don't also affect it. It's not as good as proper inputs or a true separate amp and I generally don't recommend it if there's a better alternative, but it'll certainly get the ball rolling.

Thanks for your replies. I'm leaning towards the 990/7125/LFM1 combo and I just want to make sure the investment is going to make sense and that I'm in for a noticeable improvement in my sound fidelity. Keep the feedback coming.

Gonk-
I'm unfortunately on the road for business this week and won't get back until Friday. By that time, the 7500 should (better) be there. So, no experimenting until the weekend.

All the better - the 990/7500 combo should be a lot of fun when you get back home.