Robb - to answer your questions on volume levels... how far away from the speakers are you sitting? If you're 20' away, I guess it'd be easier to understand if the receiver craps out at "average" volumes, but even then it seems unlikely to do so if it's working correctly.

One other suggestion - look through the wall of fame for some of the truly beautiful setups some folks have put together with their speakers in full view. RickF's theater is a fantastic example.

Epic 80-800: HG Cherry