Have read this thread with interest.
Ordered the 976 yesterday, will replace my 990 I have owned since 2006.
I have a HT cabinet which house all my HT gear on both ends of cabinet.It is inclosed
I have oblong cutouts under unit ( towards front) and 5 inch cooling fans on back panel towards the top, these fans activate at 100 deg.
I have yet to have any problems with any piece of equipment failing.
That includes 2 amps with out cooling fans.
The 990 sits at the bottom of this cabinet with a Carvin Amp sitting directly on top.
It has never ran hot. The fans at each end do a good job of keeping things cool.
Will the 976 generate more heat than the 990 ?