That is my hope; that it's just redirecting the 6th channel information into the surrounds equally. It's just a little wierd since other units I've had step down to the non 6.1 standard when the rear surrounds are configured to not exist. (both a Yamaha and an NAD processor exhibited this behavior)

I just thought up a quick test; I'm going to hook an interconnect to the pre out of the surround left, and slide the other end into an extra amp channel I have (Adcom GFA-5300) and a spare speaker.

Without changing any menu settings (surround back speakers still set to NONE) I'm going to leave the main NAD T955 amp off, and see if any data comes piping through when I play EX or ES encoded material. =) If the Adcom plays, it's NOT redirecting.... :p

(yeah, I'm such a geek. I know.)

E.