I installed a 7.1 system before the 7 channel Outlaw products were introduced. I have a 1050 and love it. My friend suggested the Marantz SR 5500 so I installed it. The Marantz sounds OK but not close to my 1050...the midrange sounds garbled and spoken lines in movies are not nearly as clear. So I have decided to upgrade to a new Outlaw product. I am looking for suggestions....1070 alone vs 990/970 and 7075 power amp. I also am considering 990 and use the Marantz for the power amp (would this work and how would it sound?). My current system includes..Klipsch center,right and left....side speakers are multidirectional Jamos (right and left)...rear speakers are in wall Jamos...two subs rear is 12 inch Definitive Technology and front is 10 inch JBL..Room dimensions are 22 ft long by 12 ft wide..What are your suggestions? Thanks everyone...David

I'd be leary of using the Marantz as a power amp - it can be done, but it's something of a kludge and the garbled sound may still linger (you'll still be riding across the Marantz's analog signal path and through its amps). Klipsch speakers are pretty efficient, so you don't need a whole lot of power - the 7075 would get you into separates (allowing you to upgrade the processor for future formats without investing in amplification again). The 990 and 7075 would probably represent a great sonic improvement; the 1070 or 970/7075 would also be a very pleasing upgrade, but if your budget allows for the 990 I think it's a difficult option to pass up.