This receiver is growing on me. I'm actually enjoying the setup with the Clearfields and even though I'm just using a crappy dvd player to spin CDs, I am getting some real nice sound.

I did not get the remote with the unit. (the people I got it from are notorious for losing or throwing away remotes) So last night I decided to plug the Harmony One into the program software and see if it had codes for the Rotel. Although it really did not have exact setup, it did set the One up with a newer HT set of commands along with the ones that do work the 1050. I just have to go back and remove the surround and other non-1050 commands but everything else works including the A-B switching and Standby power so I'm happy about that.

This setup is proving that if you have a really good pair of speakers, a decent high quality (entry level) receiver, you don't need a high price CDP or cables to get great sound.

The interconnects between the DVD player and unit are older $45 Tara Labs ICs and the speaker wire is just the black and reds from a twisted 3 wire, thin gauge, roll of electrical wire.

Obviously you can get way better sound as you refine the odd things above but starting with a good pair of speakers, then a nice enough front end and any CD or DVD player, you can get better than average sound.

Keep in mind the Clearfields are really Von Schwiekerts from the 90s that were $4k when new, so most people working on a budget system may not have something that nice to work with but there are plenty of good sounding speakers out there both new and used.

When I put the Rotel in my main rack, I will have the opportunity to easily switch speakers to Dynaudio 82s, 42s, as well as my JM Labs 509s. I'm real interested as to how it will drive the JMs since like most JMs of this size lack some bass slam and the Rotel seems to have a decent if a little bloated, bottom end.