If I cannot get my hiss fixed, I'll have the tough decision to make: return it like power or keep it like Kevin Brown. The problem with returning it is, like KB says, the lack of alternatives. In the pre/pro arena it is either Rotel (if acceptable) or up to the Anthem 20 or even higher.

That is why I am considering (like I did when the 950 was never going to ship) doing the whole receiver as a pre/pro. The Denon 2802 or Yahama 1200 are good mid-fi receivers for around $600-$700; less than the 950. I don't like the idea of buying wasted amps and I doubt the pre part is as good, but I guess if the pre-outs are fairly clean, it could be a viable solution until something new develops in the pre/pro arena. The $299 Pioneer 811 seems just too cheap to me. If I don't worry about DTS-ES discrete there are cheaper Yahamas with all pre-outs.

Decisions, decisions.