I've finally decided on the 990 but find it difficult justifying the 1k for the 7700. Is the step up to the 7700 from the 7125 worth the money? My current speakers are Paradigm studio 60s, studio CC, and ADPs. Would I hear a significant improvement with the 7700?
Thanks in advance.

I'm there with you. I'll be needing 14 channels and I'm not sure the extra couple (2!) decibels are really worth the money. I'll most likely end up with a pair of 7125s I think. Depends on the 'family' pricing somewhat.

14 channels? I'm presuming that you are doing a multi-zone setup?

I think that for most people, the point of a higher power amp isn't loudness per se, unless they have innefficient speakers. For instance, my Kenwood 6 channel 100 watt amp plus the 990 is painfully loud at reference level when playing something like the Matrix.

I think that what the extra power is supposed to give you is an overall cleaner sound at higher db as the amp doesn't have to work as hard to push all those extra electrons, but correct me if I'm wrong in my thinking or if the extra power gives additional benefits beyond that.

Of course, whether the 7700 does this versus the 7125, only those with direct experience of the two can answer that.

I think the "cleaner sound" is usually just that the very short but intense transients are not clipped or distorted. If the entire output signal fits inside the amps power envelope they should sound identical. I think. I don't believe in magic, so it seems like any amp that can do the job cleanly should sound pretty identical ....

The 14 channels is for a 7 channel actively crossed over 2 way system - 7 channels of mid-bass, 7 channels of mid-treble.

The channels are 4 ohms nominal, 92 db/watt 1 meter, so the 23 db watts (190 watts) the 7125 has for a 4 ohm load should be a lot of headroom. I think.

I already have 8x550 watts of subwoofer amplification available so I'm pretty set there.

I made the change from a 7125 to a 7700 and definitely a difference. A friend of mine described it as "just like the other one (7125) but more of it." May want to check my thoughts on S&V forum:

7700

Please understand, I'm not cutting you down here at all - I think you gave a really nice and well written review. Having said that, if you heard differences between the way the calibration trim adjustments worked, either one of the amps was VERY broken or you were hearing your expectations.

I vote for the latter. And for the record, I've done that too. It's called being human.