I use 2 channels for I-pod dock and rarely exceed 65. I do like my music loud and movies (especially action/music) even louder. I have never had a system that had to be turned up past mid-point for everyday use,but from the responses i've read this is not unusual and since the addition of a computer fan, receiver heat is no longer an issue. I guess I just needed to know what other listeners were doing.Thanks for the confirmation.