Well, well, the plot thickens
Thanks for the input. Tried an alternate outlet on a different circuit......and no power off. Works fine. Which points to something on the original outlet or its power circuit. Strange thing is that the HDTV and Cable box are working just fine. No odd behavior at all.
I tried two distinct scenarios on the "bad" outlet. First is with the receiver plugged intio into a good commercial grade Panamax surge protector (where it has run happily for more than a year). Second, with nothing else on the electrical circuit powered up, plugged the receiver into the wall outlet directly. Both of these caused the power-on/quick power off. Then moved to another outlet in the house, worked fine. Now, when I go BACK to the original outlet, powers up with no issue. Thoughts on what I should be looking at before I hook everything back up?