UMtiger, I have to admit I did not go through a sophisticated selection process. There are reviews out there praising the T973 and its power. The amp has been out for some time and the only downside people spoke of seemed to be the fan noise, which was not even a worry for me. I guess there is also some negative chatter around about how there is some evidence that NAD wanted THX certification on the T973 but couldn't get it...if that is even true I would place a bet that the holdup was fan noise. Given that I have a NAD integrated amp and tuner in my family room that I love, I put the T973 way above the Outlaw 7125 in my list (probably fair given the T973 costs more, even discounted). Meanwhile the Outlaw 7700 was not out yet as a temptation. Also note that music was important to me (my HT is 40% - 60% music to movies...and/but the music in the movies is very important to me) so again the T973 seemed a safe bet.

As I mentioned I have been very happy with it (have had for about 4 months). The only A/B comparison I have had opportunity to do was vs my old Onkyo TX-DS797 Reciever (990 to each; amp section only of Reciever); obviously the T973 blew the amp section of the 797 away but that is hardly a fair comparison.

Meanwhile I liked the features of the 990 better than the NAD prepro and really see NAD strength as amps/tuners vs other, so here I am with the 990/T973 combination.

For what is is worth I tried a very quick unscientific test on the fan noise. I have the amp under a stairwell in the basement (which has a "room" effect making it louder in my estimation that it would be in a normal room), and with the fans running full speed I have to hold my R.S sound level meter within about 20 inches of the front of the amp to get it register at 51 dB. As I walk away from the amp in the utility portion my basement (no/little other abient noise), it gets pretty tough to hear at about 12 feet away.