i run an older b&k 6ch amp(vmr654) and the sound is MUCH warmer and natural than my 1050(w/b&w 601s)
my 1050 does all the necessary processing(for 5.1 movies), i need except my cal sigma2 d/a(music) and i do 80% music.
granted,your friend is a salesman so he wants you to buy what he sells,there are a great many people here quite happy with the 950 doing the processing,so you need to look at options between the 950 and 702,prices,etc.
if you already have outboard amps,why buy a receiver?unless you need extra channels of amplification,or you really want the 7.1...questions you have to ask yourself.
but the b&k amps are definite ++s!