I'm not sure if this is an apples-to-apples comparison, but if there is one area when I experience "no audio" the most, it is when an incoming CATV signal switches to a different surround mode. For example, channel surfing from a station where the 970 is applying a Dolby Pro Logic mode to station that is broadcasting in 5.1 digital (or vice versa).
It is as if the processor goes momentarily mute while it acquires the incoming signal and detemines which processing mode to apply. Soetimes it sorts itself out. Other times I have to switch to another channel and then back again.
The same phenomenon may be occurring when you get the drop outs switching between Dolby modes.
Come to think of it, I think that's happened to me too.
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Outlaw 970
McCormack DNA-125 (mains), Emotiva LPA-1 (surrounds)
Quad 11L (F&C) Wharfedale (R) LFM1 (Sub) w/ SMS-1
Squeezebox -> Behringer SRC2496 -> Musiland MD10 DAC
Sota Sapphire; Marantz 10B;
Video: Hitachi 42HDS52A; Oppo 971H
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