I used that receiver for about a year with a set of NHT SB3s. It worked well, but imho, was nothing special. I think it will be easy to improve on. I would not use the 1052 as a pre-amp. Either put it in your second system or sell it.
I am going to sound like a broken record. $299 for a closeout Schiit Saga or the new Schiit Saga + and $699 for a Schiit Vidar Amp. For $1,000, you will have a very nice sounding combo that comes with a 5 year warranty and you will have a hard, if not impossible time, beating for the same price used. Take the $1000 extra and use it on room treatments or put it in the bank.
In looking used, personally I would target newer Parasound equipment. Nice sounding, ability to drive moderately hard loads, and a good value. I say newer, because amps do age, and as their capacitors age, they change in sound. The only question is how much and how long it takes.
I am going to sound like a broken record. $299 for a closeout Schiit Saga or the new Schiit Saga + and $699 for a Schiit Vidar Amp. For $1,000, you will have a very nice sounding combo that comes with a 5 year warranty and you will have a hard, if not impossible time, beating for the same price used. Take the $1000 extra and use it on room treatments or put it in the bank.
In looking used, personally I would target newer Parasound equipment. Nice sounding, ability to drive moderately hard loads, and a good value. I say newer, because amps do age, and as their capacitors age, they change in sound. The only question is how much and how long it takes.