I've got a Jet contractors upgraded to a grizzly 2hp motor. I've had
the motor stall out on 3/4 cherry that pinched the blade a couple of
times. It also works really hard on 3" cuts anytime.

When you start to bevel cut the, the extra hp comes in real handy.
That 1.5" thick stuff become much thicker in a bevel.

So if you can afford the extra dough, an upgrade would be good.