Ok, so I did some more investigating. I had never engaged the HDMI control settings before. So I turned them on.
With HDMI Pass Through turned on, the 976 generates as much heat as when in use, about 95° at the surface of the cover. This means the power transformer remains energized and the voltage regulators are active. This needs to be the case so the HDMI circuitry gets voltage so it can pass through the signal to the TV.
With only HDMI control turned on this isn't the case, as my 976 cools off relatively quickly.
Same for when neither settings are turned on.


Edited by Helson (03/28/18 10:30 AM)
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Main HT <> 976 <> 7200 <> Ultra-X12 <> sapphire ST2 mkII RF/LF <> sapphire SC center
sapphire ST2 mkII SBR/SBL <> sapphire SS SR/SL <> Verizon/DVR <> Vizio M70Q7 <> Oppo UDP-203 <> Amazon 4k Fire TV