I'm going to pursue the balanced interconnect question with Outlaw when I call them as I need to get interconnects for my DVD-Audio connection anyway, and could use what I am currently using for the pre-pro/amp connection for that purpose and then use balanced interconnects, if it will solve the problem. Like I said, the hum isn't bad, but it shouldn't be there at all.

Markpog, not to changed the subject, but did you consider Axioms at all before you bought your Paradigms? I've got the Axioms home right now but I have also been listening to the Paradigm Reference series (Studio 40's and 60's) as an alternative, and I'm having a lot of difficulty making up my mind. Because the Axioms are only sold factory direct I can't do a side by side comparison without buying the Paradigms and bringing them home. I really don't want to do that if I don't have to.