Charles:
I'm assuming that you bought your receiver from Stereo West? If the Marantz doesn't pan out over the next couple weeks/months?, I'd be looking into the new Pioneer Elites (when released).
Also, just out of curiosity, where were the SR7000 & SR8000 manufactured?
Not to get too far off subject, but I'm wondering how many other receivers have this "hissing" present at MAX volume?
Just out of curiosity, I did these tests on my Denon AVR 3300 and discovered the following:
In various DSP modes (pro logic, matrix, etc.) at max volume +12, hissing could be...