Currently considering the purchase of a 7700 or an Earthquake Cinenova Grande 7.

Current system includes:

Definitive Technology Bp7000sc (2), CLR 3000 (2), BPVX (2), and UIW RSII (2).

Sources: Onkyo NR5007, Camelot Technology Uther & Dragon, Adcom multidisc player, PS3 & SAT box.

Power management: PS Audio Powerplant premier and Richard Grey 400 pro.

The earthquake has more power per channel and is an unbalanced design (from what I have read). The 7700 is balanced although less power per channel. My receiver is rated at 145 watts per channel. I don’t have the ability to add circuits in my house thus I eliminated the 7900 from consideration. All the equipment runs through one 20 Amp circuit.

Any input or suggestions in regard to amplifier selection would be greatly appreciated.

I've had the 7700's predecessor, the 770, in a semi-large (25X 16) listening room/ht foe about 9 years now. The system gets about 12 hours of service per day at reasonable levels and the 770 has never so much as heated up while providing sublime performance.
I'd recommend this amp to anyone who is not running a rave in their spare bedroom , and mabey even if they are.
The 7900 is pretty sexy, but I can't imagine where you'd need more amp than the 7700 in a non-comercial setting.

I've had the 7700's predecessor, the 770, in a semi-large (25X 16) listening room/ht for about 9 years now. The system gets about 12 hours of service per day at reasonable levels and the 770 has never so much as heated up while providing sublime performance.
I'd recommend this amp to anyone who is not running a rave in their spare bedroom , and mabey even if they are.
The 7900 is pretty sexy, but I can't imagine where you'd need more amp than the 7700 in a non-comercial setting.

Albert, I can't speak to the Earthquake Cinenova Grande 7 since I have no experience with it.

I have, however, owned the Outlaw 7500 (same architecture and specs as the 7700, minus 2 channels) for several years now and been extremely pleased with it. It's comfortably driven my difficult to drive Martin Logans and been a very pleasant upgrade to the Yamaha receiver, bridged Classe CAV-75, and Outlaw 7125 that preceded it. I recommend the Outlaw 7500/7700.

Rob

One thing the Outlaws do well is to carry rebranded ATI amps. These things are built like the proverbial brick outhouse. I've got a predecessor too, the 755, and it has performed well for the past 5 years. Outlaw also provides excellent customer service. You could do worse, a LOT worse, spending similar dollars on other products. That said, these days I think Emotiva gives them a run for the money (substantially cheaper and similar quality), though their products are made in China (a deal killer for me personally, but perhaps not for others). I think my next amp will be digital, but my 755 has just kept on chugging and sounds good enough that I haven't felt compelled to upgrade.

Best,

Another 7700 owner, using it to drive Kef speakers. Utterly effortless on dynamic material. Dead quiet. Didn't get the 7900 since I couldn't add circuits to the house.

Albert:

Off your topic, but I see you have both a Richard Gray and the PP Premier. I've been considering the addition of a power conditioner and the RG 1200 and PP Premier are two I'm considering. Can you provide some personal feedback on both products? Thanks.

Mine drives Polks LSi speakers that are inefficient and known to dip to, and below, 2 ohms...

It does it great!

I've had a 7500 for well over a year driving some B&W 703's and the improvement in sound quality was so huge my wife was completely sold on quality amps. Incredible amp!

I am also considering a 7700. However I am wondering about the balanced architecture... Will the 7700 perform amplification in a balanced manner regardless of whether you jack into it with RCA or Balanced inputs?

I realize not using balanced inputs would mean obviously that its benefits in noise cancellation wouldn't apply in the Pre-Amp nor in the cable joining the Pre-Amp and the 7700. But I was hoping those benefits at least would apply in the realm of amplification.

I have not bought a Pre-Amp yet but I am considering some that only have RCA jacks. But I might reconsider if using them would mean losing the benefits of the balanced amp.

Thanks