Thanks for checking back in Gonk. I've been monkeying around with this most of the day, switching inputs and cables and re-calibrating and such, but see if this last procedure I tried makes sense to you.

RF of DVD multi-channel line out ----> Rotel 985 ------> Center speaker....measure with SPL meter.

RF of DVD multi-channel line out ----> Rotel 991 ------> Center speaker....measurement is
-3db.

This by-passes the 950 and all other variants were the same: Program material (DVE test signal), source, cables, and speaker.

Sounds like the amp to me. Next question is what to do I guess.