I think the issue is the settings in the S550. I had to track down the S550 manual, and I must say that those Sony boys are doing some weird stuff. Here's what I'd start out trying:

Audio Output Priority: Multichannel Analog
Speaker Settings: Front, Center, and Surround "Large", Surround Back "None" (950 only has a 5.1 analog input), and Subwoofer "Yes". Distance and Levels can be tweaked later.
Audio (HDMI): Auto (I'd prefer "off")
BD Audio Setting: Mix (otherwise secondary audio won't ever work)
Audio ATT: Off
Dolby Digital: Dolby Digital (why the default is "downmix PCM" I have no idea)
DTS: DTS (again, the downmix default makes me feel like I'm back in 1998 and DD/DTS decoders were actually rare)
48kHz/96kHz PCM: 48kHz/16bit is probably fine
Audio DRC: either Auto or Wide Range
Downmix: Dolby Surround is fine as a default, but we really don't want the player to be decoding multichannel and creating a downmix stereo signal so the hope is that this setting will be ignored.

Keep in mind that to use the 6CH input on the 950, you need to hit the "6CH" button on the remote - the DVD analog input is tied to the DVD input's stereo analog connection. The coaxial input can be associated with the DVD input normally, and you can use that for CD's, DVD's, and any Blu-ray discs you run across that don't have multichannel PCM, TrueHD, or DTS-HD tracks (there are some around - Planet Earth is an immediate example, but there are others).

Hitting the aud button and 6ch on the remote did the trick. it sounds amazing (deeper and richer sound) and display on unit shows TrueHD playing. I didn't change any of the settings I got from the S550 thread over at AVS
forum. People have been thrashing them out over there and this seems to be the recommended set though I may try your suggestions since I am never quite sure if I am getting the maximum performance out of my equipment. my new question is do I tweak the speaker settings on the 950 or in the 550 as far as distance and levels. but boy it sure sounds great right now. thanks for your quick help, gonk.
ed

The 950's distance and trim settings don't apply to the 6CH input. You should probably take a moment to adjust the distance and trim settings on the S550. The distance can match your Model 950 settings, but you may want to use the S550's internal test tones to set the trims on the S550.

gonk,
just wanted to say thanks for all your help in getting the S550 set up with the 950. I've made all the adjustments you suggested and everything is working and sounding great. you are a great resource for Outlaw.
ed

Glad to hear that you've got it working well.

[ignore...]

Gonk, I haven't requested help in a long time, but having just purchased the Pan BD55 I am having minor problem. I am using the Direct 6CH analog inputs on my VINTAGE 950. While I am geting the fuller richer sound from Blue-ray audio (5.1), I'm not getting the .1. The outlaw LFM1 is quiet as a mouse. All internal/external settings i.e. sub on, Bass management switch on 950 engaged (up position), switching back to Dolby before pressing 6CH direct button on my slowly dying 950 remote, (thank you Harmony One) etc. has been done in spades. Also note, when my Denon 2910 was connected to the 6CH input I never received subwoofer output from DVD Audio or SACD. I would give anything to know that I made a mistake somewhere and that my 950 sub output on the Direct 6CH is not bad. I am checking for a bad cable as soon as I complete this. However, we both know that something as simple as a bad cable just doesn't exist. HELP!

Bad cables do exist, but there are some other possibilities as well. If you've got a calibration disc with some audio test tones (Digital Video Essentials, for example), I'd be curious to know what happens when you play the LFE channel test tone with 6CH input engaged. I'd also make sure the player is set up properly (subwoofer needs to be enabled in the player).

Gonk, thanks for the reply. I was trying for humor. The cable is not the culprit. Interesting find: In 6CH Direct, the 950 when calibrating the speakers, has no sound from main, center and surrounds, however the sub does register on the RS sound meter. While I await the availability of the 997, I sure would like to solve this one. I remembered to change to the Dolby input/format before re-engaging the 6CH Direct. ???

Gonk, when I use the Sound & Vision Home Theater DVD setup in 6CH direct I get nothing on the sub. In any other surround formats, the sub works fine. Is there something that would cause this internally through the 950? I know you mentioned the sub must be turned on. It is. Does the Bass Management have to be in the up position thus summing the freq and sending to sub. I should be able to send full freq. to speakers if they can handle load. ???