Kiwi: my apologies, man. I have yet to buy a 976. I've read the 976 manual twice but I don't recall reading one hasta set balanced or unbalanced. Can't fathom why it's not working for you.

Side note, coincidence really. My surround channels connect to an ART clean box. That connects to balanced connections to cables through the crawlspace to behind the couch. They connect to a DBX Driverack EXO. That drives the surround amp and the surround subs in the corners.

Again sorry. I'm out w/Influenza B so I'll spend tomorrow re-reading the manual for the above.

Tony