Just to wrap up this thread - I worked with the Outlaws to try and resolve my issues with the 970, and although it took a few attempts and more than one trip back to the Outlaw homeland (mine was a particularly recalcitrant unit, apparently), in the end everything worked out to my complete satisfaction.
My wife - who was the original inspiration for this thread - had sunk for a while to the point of demanding that we go to the local electronics super-store to buy a $300 AV receiver because "at least it will work, right?" Luckily, we were spared that possible conclusion and instead we're all still happily living the Outlaw life.
Many thanks to Scott and the tech guys at Outlaw.