Mike, another thing that you should also play with is the DRC (Dynamic Range Compression) mode of the AVR. This from my experience when I tried it, gave me better results (more natural sound) than dynamic volume. From what I remember, there was still dynamic in the sound but attenuated so it wasn't as crazy so it might be a better option for you.

Bruno
M80s/VP180/QS8s/EP600/AVR-890
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"The problem is choice..."