Slight side trip--Pioneer receiver malfunction

[HD-FAN]

I know this is HDTV and all, but my Pioneer VSX-D710S, is part of my HD system, so indulge me, oh knowledgable ones:

After 3 years of working perfectly, at sometimes very loud volumes, all of a sudden this receiver flashes "overload" and shuts down at very modest volumes [-25 to -30 db]. It can happen during the quiet parts of the menu loading on a DVD. Happens with all inputs, and all equipment, so its not just any one device causing it.

Any ideas? Is this something that can be fixed by a shop?

I am perplexed why this would suddenly start happening.

[Splicer]

Have a short on one of your speakers? Did something maybe fall and is shorting a connection? Hard to say. I'm sure a shop can repair it. Does it happen in all modes as well??? (pro logic, dts, dd, stereo, etc...)

[57U]

Splicer probably hit the nail on the head. Disconnect all your speaker wires and make sure there are no "strands" that are touching each other. This is a common occurance. Then reconnect the speaker wires. All should be fine.

[kevinw]

After rechecking the wire, you might want to check for dust. UNPLUG it and take off the cover. Then use a can of compressed air-like one would use for cleaning a computer. Blow off the 3 years worth of dust. Receivers, refridgerators and computers all work better when a routione clean up is done.

[opus33]

I have exactly the same problem. Pioneer receiver has performed flawlessly for years using the SPDIF input from the DVD player, but adding a second SPDIF from the HD box results in an overload at anything approaching normal volume.

I suspect it is the receiver as the HD box on the DVD input is just fine.

Anyone have anything similar?

[HD-FAN]

I took it to a shop. They told me 3 major parts were fried and it would cost $300 to fix. Since I bought it 3+ years ago for $350, I said "pass", and went and bought a Denon.

There were numerous posts on Pioneer's forum complaining of the same thing. It seems they have a problem.

[chenishead]

I have had the same problem. I love the sound of the pioneer, i dunno why u would go for Denon. My dad has a Denon and it sounds like Sh$T compared to my low budget pioneer set at mt house. I have been reading and the only real solution i have read about is to ground the receiver. I ain't to technical so i haven't tried. (i have bad spelling)

[gparris]

HD-FAN,

Good luck with your new Denon AVR and I hope you have a good experience with it as many have had here in the forum.
Many of the Pioneer AVRs (Audio Video Receivers) hold up very well over time as do many of the fine AVRs from other manufacturers, you weren't so lucky.
As far as Denon AVRs go, I have clients whose Denons date back from six or seven years ago (or earlier) and these work fine still today. :)

chenishead:
The Denon that sounded bad to you could have been for a number of reasons, such as bad speakers and mostly, as in the case of many setups I have had to do (or re-do as is the case), a bad AVR setup.
Denon AVRs are known for a more complicated setup menu, but once properly setup, these are among the best in the business, IMO. :D

[kevinw]

Well it's been nearly 2 years since this revived post started. I imagine if there were any problems we would have heard about :wow:

[gparris]

AVRs keep changing and updating their feature sets, so it is getting harder to compare which model or manufacturer is best, at least from my experience.
Since there are many out there, get a model from a manufacturer that meets your needs and budget.
For my clients/friends/family the newer models coming out with at least HDMI switching for both video AND audio (some come without audio) for two connections are the least common denominator for purchase consideration now that most new and newer HDTVs come with at least one HDMI connection.
Another consideration that some find important is the ability to change the input labels with using more than just the TV and DVD-labeled inputs.
This makes it easier to remember what is connected to the inputs regardless of any universal remote control (not all of us enjoy Harmony remotes). Recently, the Sony 5200ES model came out and the HDMI inputs (all three of them) did not allow function renaming, but the other inputs could, to the irritation of some owners (bad on Sony's part).