I have heard the 8900 but not the 7900. I also heard what they call a "receiver", I think it was the MAC 6700. The two that I heard had all kinds of power, but didn't seem special in terms of musicality, sound stage and imaging, and/or moving me.
Now, at AXPONA last weekend, what DID bowl me over and sounded awesomely musical was a Mark Levinson 585 integrated. No, it doesn't have tone controls and all the features of the 8900, but I quickly forgot all about those after hearing the ML 585. It was paired with the new Revel F228Be speakers and OMG, the sound was incredible.
Now, at AXPONA last weekend, what DID bowl me over and sounded awesomely musical was a Mark Levinson 585 integrated. No, it doesn't have tone controls and all the features of the 8900, but I quickly forgot all about those after hearing the ML 585. It was paired with the new Revel F228Be speakers and OMG, the sound was incredible.