The startup routine is normal. I have had the 7500 for a year or so and it is always the same. Triggers on and then about 30 seconds later the blue light comes on. Mine has always been dead silent on all fronts. Is the hum coming from your speakers or from the amp itself? If the speakers are quiet I would not make any ground connections as indicated above. Check to see if it is the amp case. There are previous threads talking about that issue but I don't know what the resolution is. Crank it up, burn it in and see if it goes away. If not Outlaw will fix it for you.

Does the hum come and go in a regular cycle?

I'm loving my 7700 as well..

Thanks EEman

I am very happy with the setup. I have an Onkyo 906 AVR with what Onkyo markets as a "massive toroidal transformer." If you look at the 906's transformer and compare it to one of the 7500's transformers you will get a new lesson on what is massive and what isn't.

The sound detail is very impressive compared to the AVR and the amp is lightening fast as evidenced with cannon fire scenes in "Master and Commander." Also the impressive detail with the surround information I heard in that movie as compared with what the AVR could do with the surrounds leaves me to think that all home theatre purists and lovers need to turn their AVRs into pre/pros and run an external amp for that powerfully rich and detailed sound we all crave to here.

I have recently bought connected my 7500 with a Shunyiata Research Diamondback 20amp power cord. The transients are faster and detail is sharper. Say what you will. I had a 30 trial and I did back to back tests and do notice a difference. This difference is not huge at all but worth the expense. Your power transfer off the wall is very important to such a powerful amp.

Did you consider upgrading the wall receptacle and the breaker that feeds it in the panel? Huge advantages have been reported from those changes. I myself have the advantage that my house is fed from all underground wiring which is not subject to EMI from external sources or any radio waves. I also get all of my power from ultra-accurate nuclear power generation. My 7500 has never sounded better than it does in south Florida.

Tell me more XenonMan. What kind of wall receptacle? Is it like PS Audio and the like? Also can you elaborate on the breaker?

Check out this at revolutionpower.com. Only $167 for audiophile grade 120 vac receptacles. They have all sorts of upgraded electrical parts which are sure to enhance any system.

WATTGATE 381 IG Audio Grade GOLD Islolated Ground Receptacle