When my unit locks up is when I need to shut it down and power up again. With the no audio issue, I'm "usually" able to cycle through the audio modes (full circle) and then it'll work. But once in a while it will lock up for no apparent reason and have no audio.

I don't understand it... the 970's just a quirky unit.
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Onkyo PR-SC886 (Retired Outlaw 970)
Outlaw 7100
Outlaw 200 Monoblock x2
M&K 851 for L/C/R
Axiom QS8 for SL/SR/1SB
SVS Pb12-ISD/2 (x2)
Sony VPL-HW15 (Retired Infocus 7205)
Sony PS3 / Pioneer DV-533