Phelonious:
OK, I just listened to some Stray Cats...actually listened closely to brief breaks between the songs, and I could not hear any hissing of any sort.
Speaking of speakers, what do you recommend, as I have been pretty happy with the RF'7's....the other speakers are inferior (even though they are all part of the Reference series...only the 7's are American made). To be honest the only upgrade I have considered was some Klipschorns.