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