New Shooter, We have very similar audio systems. My 7500 has never been hot to the touch. Maybe a tad warm after being cranked for a while. The sound is awesome. Dead quiet background, great dynamics. I use the balanced cabling and never tried the system the other way so I can't compare. Best sound system I've ever had and that includes my high end stuff from the 70's. Maybe it was better sounding from a purist sense back then, but now that my ears are 50+ they aren't as good as they used to be. I'm very happy.
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Outlaw 990-7500, OPPO BDP-83, Main L&R: B&W DM604s3, Rears: B&W DM602s3, Ctr: B&W LCR600s3, Velodyne SPL1200R, Outlaw, Signal, Blue Jeans Cables, Sony 52W4100 LCD, Harmony One