After reading these posts particularly Smart Little Lenas' I thought I better check this out again. Just to make sure I do not have it. So I put it to tape and raised the volume to +10 and sure enough a loud hiss. Well I have been enjoying my 950 for months now and have never noticed it. I even moved on to other forums for a while because this whole issue was so annoying to read about. Then I made the mistake that Smart Little Lenas' husband said she would. I put it on a source component, cable. My wife jumped 6' and my ears are still ringing. Anyway I guess I will send in an Email to swap it out. I sure do not like the whole refurbished vibe but I guess it is better than waiting 2 to 3 weeks.