enough for what I do with it. That looks like a nice Griz saw. I can see they have a 1023 for the same price that is 5hp not 3 like the 690. Not that you need it but the extra umph can be a big help on some projects. Maybe not as slick a setup on the riving and fence, but not sure.
strain on a uni-saw at my buddies shop, that eventually burned out and he upgraded to a 5hp and it always cuts like buttah. All thing sbeing equal a 5hp would better in IMNSHO but I suppose all things aren't equal and the newer model saw with the 3hp prob has some better features in other areas. So if the guy was going to be ripping 4x4's all day the 5hp might be bettah.
Sounds like the "ole" Powermatic motor was on its last leg, or dull blades. 3.25" buried in Ipe beats just about any other torture test. ;~) Something was not right on both saws you mentioned. There should have been no problem making a bevel cut in even 12/4 oak.
FWIW Ipe is 2.7 times harder than White Oak..