I am presently inside my 30 day trial with the 950/7100 combo and realizing this stuff is getting better everyday. I don't believe Outlaw will see these units back.
I have a 5 speaker hook up with no sub. I want to go to Dolby EX & DTS-ES which adds surround backs. I only have one additional speaker to hook up. Do I put it through the left surround back or the right surround back. Or does it matter. Also, if I am not using one channel does it do any harm to connect the unused channel to the amp from the preamp? Thanks and can't wait to watch Lord of the Rings if I can pull myself from regular stereo music.

Hi Raider! LEFT, - and be sure to change speaker config. in your setup menu for Back Surrounds to BS(BL).
As far as the unused channel being connected to your amp without speaker attached> I don’t know that one….scratches head. One of our resident Electrical Wizards will prob pop in.

LOTR enjoy!

Okay, I'm not an electrician! However, I do not see any potential problems connecting the 7th channel. The 950 will not be sending anything to it if you configured it correctly. I had my system all connected for over a month before I ever connected a pair of speakers for the two rear channels, I just had it configured for 5.1. When I set up the rear speakers I just re-configured the 950 to a 7.1 set up and like magic it came to life. You should have no problems.