I am TOTALLY lost. I cannot get any sound to come out whatsoever? I am using monster cables..any help would be apperaciated! I have put the cable in several different parts of the receiver..still no sound.

Have you got the 8000's plugged into the mains?  Do they have any standby lights showing at the bottom of the black cloth section?

If so, then have you set them to 'Line' on the 3-position switch?  Just swing up the cover where you connected the fig-8 power plug and have a look inside.

Lee