Stone,

It may be the difference between the quality of the outboard amps vs the receiver amps as well as higher rating. The power comes in handy when I am in another room of the house and the 80s are cranked in the HT.

If finances forced a choice between a 60/500 and 80/350, I would go with the 60/500. The 500 is a different animal than the 350.

I have no regrets going with the 80/500 choice.