I use my 970 for music only. I have 4 JBL monitors and 2 NAD C 272 amps. I use my Inspiron 9100 as a music source through a Behringer U-Control, and use it's digital optical out to the optical in on the fornt panel. The sound is freaking amazing. Especially songs ripped in Lossless format. I use the "6 Stereo" setting.

Also have a SACD player and it sounds best if I use the 7.1 analog out to the Outlaw DVD inputs.
The sound is mind blowing. Dark Side of the Moon, The Dave Brubeck Quartet and Miles Davis are the only 3 SACD's I have and all sound excellent. When I play a regular CD or MP3 CD, I run it through the CD inputs as those CD's are Stereo only. I am compareing the difference between the digital out and the analog out on the SACD player for the best setting for MP3 and normal CD's. This SACD player has very good DAC. I was surprised giving that is is a Sony product but it is the ES line. Even has a button to diable the video so all resources go to audio.
I love my 970.