My 970 today when I turned it on developed a loud hiss from all my speakers, then when I played a dvd I got very low sound & the sound sounded broken up & raspy like listening through a cheap blown speaker. Used the unit yesterday with no problems. Any ideas??

I'd do the obvious...check connections, but beside that I'd suggest shutting the power off at the rear master power switch and then power back on. I never had your particular experience with my 970 but when I did have issues this usually resolved it (temporarily). If you continue to have problems call the Outlaws.

Did that,last night shut the rear power switch & unplugged the 970. This morning plugged it back in & started it up, same hiss but now the audio makes a low sounding schreeching & squealing, no discernible sounds such as voices or music. It got much worse over night, sounded like it was going to damage the speakers. Reconnected my 950 that the 970 replaced, exact connections, everything perfect with the 950. Seems like some component was failing & then failed.

Sounds like the same problem as reported by praedet:
http://ubb.outlawaudio.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/ubb/get_topic/f/40/t/000268.html

I'd call the Outlaws tomorrow.