Thanks for your help. By the way, I take my earlier statement about the hiss being very pronounced at 00 back, I was testing it on an input that had nothing connected to it, and there must have been interference or something. I paused a dvd and raised the volume to 00, and the hiss didn't seem to raise noticably.

Now, back to your questions:

Yes, I've calibrated my system with a radio shack analog SPL meter, which is in good working condition, C weighted and Slow.

I did calbirate my system to output the test tones at 75dBs w/ the volume at 00. I did this exactly the way you described earlier, by turning down the trim -8 on each channel. Worked like a charm.

No, my amps do not have volume controls on them.

I guess my question is, I don't see how this is "free" gain. Since I reduced the trims -8, I have to turn the volume up 8dbs, which in turn raises the noise level. That's all.

I bought my unit from someone I trust who beta tested the unit. He told me it was the 4th version of the 950. I believe him, but I just wanted to know if that is the newest of the new 950s.

Thanks!

[This message has been edited by jgubman (edited January 01, 2003).]