Finally, i can retire my old 950 which has served me well for a long time!
One thing im concerned about. Netflix uses a form of DD surround mode (cannot remember which, but it might be DD+) that causes popping noises if i use any surround mode in the 950. I therefore have been using the analog bypass mode from the remote, which works great.
My question is - does the 976 have this surround mode?
or
Is there analog bypass available ? i dont see it on the remote !

After reading up I answered part of my own question. The 976 does decode DDplus.
Still unsure if I can invoke analog bypass regardless of source.

"Analog bypass" sounds like one of the post processing choices on the 950. You wouldn't "see" it as a specific choice on the remote. But rather scrolling through the surround mode choices you may find a similar option. If you're talking about an "all channel stereo" choice, the source device might need to be set to output PCM. We'll have to find out once our new 976 arrives!

From page 32 of the manual

DSP Bypass: This is set to “Off ” by default and allows
the Model 976 to apply surround processing, but
can be turned “On” to defeat any surround processing
modes. The available choices are:
On → Of

Ive been plodding through the manual bit by bit and i came across the "DSP bypass" item also.
Will diving through the menu to this point be the only way i can force the 976 to see the analog 7.1 inputs as ill be connecting HDMI as well?
I use analog bypass lot on the 950 to force certain source signals from my Oppo bdp103 down the analog 5.1 path. It is the only way i can do netflix, but SACD's and Music or concert DVDs often sound a lot better this way than any of the 950's DSP modes.
With the 950, the digital audio signal from the Oppo had to come from the coaxial digital audio output, and i never switched video. Now with the 976 ill be able to do HDMI - cant wait.
No doubt the 976 will vastly outperform my 950.s digital processing.

DSP Bypass, when turned on, will block availability of any post processing modes. Is that what analog bypass does in the 950?

There are two bypass modes on the 950.
Stereo bypass "sends the signal from the analog input in use directly to the volume control, bypassing all digital processing"
6 Channel direct "selects as the source the analog signal from the multi channel inputs as well as activating the bass management selected by the rear panel switch."

Quotes are from the manual. Both modes require analog inputs for the source required, so does the 976's "DSP Bypass" operate this way? im guessing it does. It should'nt work with only HDMI or digital audio inputs if this is the case, so should be simple to test.

Bass management on the analog path means actual crossover implemented in analog form, which I have never heard or read about for the 976. I think it is expected that bass management be setup in the disc player you are using.