Pioneer HT receiver... blown channel?

[infinitesymph]

Originally posted by Nrik

Did you ever get to reset it?
�re you sure it is not the settings, the speakers or the wires?
You should doublecheck in the setting menu, the test tone, and by switching the cables for left and right surround.

There is no need to fix something unless it is broken.

I tried a factory reset, but it didn't fix the issue. The first day I discovered it, I performed a bunch of tests to determine the actual problem; it's definitely the amplifier's left rear-surround channel. In all tests, whatever was connected to the left rear-surround only emitted a constant faint hiss, and made a popping noise when the source was changed or the amplifier was turned on or off.

This isn't a speaker problem, though I wish it were, since that would be simple to fix. Different speakers exhibited the same problems when connected to that channel.

[jaycee]

hissing and popping when changing input suggests to me a fault in some preamp/decoder section. Does the amp have any multi-channel analogue input connections ? (not digital of any kind!)

To confirm you would have to find the power amplifier responsible for that channel, trace its input and inject a signal straight there. You'd really need a service manual for that though.

As for repair costs - beats me - is it ever economical to have anyone repair anything these days?

[infinitesymph]

Yes, it has a bunch of analog inputs, including 7.1 analog surround. I've mostly been using it for two-channel stuff via the analog RCA outputs of my CD player. The problem seems to happen regardless of analog or digital input.

Your question gave me an interesting idea... I wonder what would happen if I plugged one of the CDP channels into the dedicated left rear-surround input. I'll try it and report back.

About repair costs... I hope it's economical! I bought the receiver new less than six months ago. Unfortunately, the warranty is not valid because I purchased it for much less than retail from a liquidator. This was the last piece of gear I expected to have problems with, given my history with the Pioneer brand.

[infinitesymph]

No difference with the 7.1 inputs vs. regular CD player inputs...

I guess my next step is calling up the nearest Pioneer service center, which thankfully is not far from me--no shipping costs to pay. At least I'll get an estimate of how much it will cost to diagnose the problem. Otherwise, I may be jumpering the left speaker's binding posts from now on.