Thanks candyman. I've decided to chance the lower power for the lower $$$. Probably can't swing the bigger amp and still get into a 997 when it is ready.

With my speakers being efficient and all other folks happy except in situations like yours I'm going to chance it. Besides it will give me an excuse to upgrade later.

BTW...Palladia ROCKS! Just hit a 5.1 mix of a Greenday concert as I was channel surfing. Recorded with ON STAGE perspective....however, vocals are mushy and dispersed. A track off "Bullet in a Bible" DVD. Palladia is cool.

I have the 990 processor with B&W 804S speakers.
The 7125 did an OK job, but when I changed to the 7500 I noticed:
More detail in the music
Smoother highs
More defined bass (not muddy)

Those were the most noticable changes. I had it like this for a few months last summer before changing out my MIT brand RCA cables to Oracle 3.2 XLR. Once I did this, music became even more alive with detail and instruments had pin-point locations.

I know people that have spent thousands of dollars more for HT equipment (minus video) and most of them think my setup sounds better.
Why is that? They go blindly into a dealer and believe everything they are told without researching it first. Then they don't try other brands and take their time.

Thanks for the info FAU! I envy those B&W's...just no way to afford those at my current point in the money/life continuum. As posted earlier, I think I've decided to chance the lower power amp with my speakers. I really won't be allowed to play it at 125W anyway except when the boss leaves me alone.

I've actually demo'ed my Klipsch set up against an AR/B&W set up and the Klipsch 2-way just didn't hold up. I doubt that I could tell the difference.....I will probably upgrade some day in the far distant future. Klipsch rocks on the movie soundtracks though.

Too bad the 7125 does not have balanced inputs....that is my one real concern and could force an upgrade again some day.

The lack of balanced inputs to the 7125 shouldn't deter you from getting one. The balanced cables are not a big advantage unless you use them over long runs. Since most amps are within 10 feet of their pre-pro there is no objective reason to get balanced cables. With the efficiency of you speakers the XLR connections won't be heard anyway.

With your efficient speakers, you'll likely be happy as a clam with the 7125. The amp is quite conservatively rated and well built. And, if you're upgrading from receiver based power, you'll definitely be pleased with the improvements.

Rob