correction, that was a 525 HK receiver, not 550.
I would think that it would not be the DVd player either, but the only one real non-isolated item in this experiment to determine the cause is the speaker wire.

I used signal cable, and then switched out to zip cord type speaker wire (monster or like type, not cheapo).

then, I used that wire to power my Axiom and had the same problem after switching it to the main audio out of receiver.

so, isolate wire, check. isolate speaker/ a/b, check. use two different receivers/amps, check.

what does that leave us? I can only think the CD!!

Am I crazy?