Paul, the HISS is there regardless of what is connected. The way you described what might possibly be going on is exactly what seems to be happening. Something in the 950 is artificially chopping the base noise level when the volume is (initially) minimized. I hooked up my dvd player to optical 1 to check the zero word length thing you talked about for digital sources and this is what happened.

 With the DVD player either on or off, but not in play mode, volume at any setting (-80db to 10db) = no HISS (only hiss)

 With the DVD player in play mode, volume at –80db = no HISS (only hiss)

 DVD player in play mode, volume at –79db and above = HISS

 After HISS has been activated as stated above, it continues even when the volume has been returned to –80db, DVD player stopped, turned off, or disconnected. To put the system back into its resting (no HISS) mode I have to toggle to a different input source and the volume has to be at –80db.

BTW – the outlaws contacted me but we are still in limbo as to what to do next. My speakers are BA HD 10 with 90db/W/m sensitivity.

Also, exactly how do you “short” the inputs, can this potentially damage anything, and what effect are you expecting?

Lastly, to Scott, did anyone in Dallas receive a 950?

Thanks for you input
mt