So, the cables didn't have an impact. I returned the receiver. I'll soon be looking into other AVRs. Thanks again for the troubleshooting help.
I was afraid that would be the case. If possible try and select a receiver that has had at least one reliable third party review with measurements.
What we don't know was if your receiver is just a faulty one, or the whole lot of that model have the problem. Knowing modern manufacture, I suspect the whole lot are duff.
