Bob, my experience is just the same. NO hiss here (or maybe hear) at all. One of my biggest concerns with getting the 950 was it's two channel bypass capabilities. I've been a two channel guy for a long time and this is my first venture into HT surround sound. The 950 replaces a heavily modified Apt Holman preamp and I was concerned that it wouldn't compete for two channel music. My fears have been put to rest after a few days with the 950. In two channel mode it is better than the Apt it replaces and movies are just fantastic now.