A/V Receiver Help

**isucyfan** · 03-20-2010, 01:12 PM

OK, fellow Fanatics...need a little help.

My Sony receiver is acting funny. The other day, it maxed out the volume seemingly on it's own (I may have accidentally been leaning on the remote's volume button, though) and I heard a "pop" and the receiver was flashing, "PROTECT". Then, today, I smelled an electricity smell, and it flashed "PROTECT" again. After this happens, one of the speakers doesn't work for awhile.

So, this is a 12-year old receiver that wasn't really expensive when I got it...is it just fizzling out, or am I missing something?

Any suggestions for a new, fairly cheap ($200-300) receiver would be welcomed if you all think it's dying!

**Cyclonepride** · 03-20-2010, 01:16 PM

I would suggest unplugging it for a while.

**JP4CY** · 03-20-2010, 01:20 PM

I've had an Onkyo for a few years that I got from a Slickdeals thread a few years ago. Pretty rocking deal and still works great.
If you are in the market for one, I'd recommend keeping an eye out there and seeing what might pop up for a good price. The people tend to be pretty honest on products on that website.

**isucyfan** · 03-20-2010, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by johnpkelly81

I've had an Onkyo for a few years that I got from a Slickdeals thread a few years ago. Pretty rocking deal and still works great.
If you are in the market for one, I'd recommend keeping an eye out there and seeing what might pop up for a good price. The people tend to be pretty honest on products on that website.

I plan on doing that. I'm a big Slickdeals guy. I didn't see one that caught my eye when I searched today.

**BigDISU1** · 03-20-2010, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

I plan on doing that. I'm a big Slickdeals guy. I didn't see one that caught my eye when I searched today.

Yamaha RX-V765 for $399 again!!!! - SlickDeals.net Forums

Saw this today, you can take a look.

**3GenClone** · 03-20-2010, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

OK, fellow Fanatics...need a little help.

My Sony receiver is acting funny. The other day, it maxed out the volume seemingly on it's own (I may have accidentally been leaning on the remote's volume button, though) and I heard a "pop" and the receiver was flashing, "PROTECT". Then, today, I smelled an electricity smell, and it flashed "PROTECT" again. After this happens, one of the speakers doesn't work for awhile.

So, this is a 12-year old receiver that wasn't really expensive when I got it...is it just fizzling out, or am I missing something?

Any suggestions for a new, fairly cheap ($200-300) receiver would be welcomed if you all think it's dying!

Sounds like it's a power issue. There are a lot of Sony pieces out there that a local place should be able to fix it, but with labor costs you would probably be better off buying a new one - you're due for an upgrade if you've been using the same receiver for 12 years.

**Clonehomer** · 03-20-2010, 02:33 PM

The protect feature usually means that you have a short in one of the speaker wires. This may mean that one of your speakers came unplugged and the wires are touching. That's the only time I've ever encountered this issue. It doesn't mean it's broken!!

**keepngoal** · 03-20-2010, 02:35 PM

I have a couple of questions on that product on slick deals.

does the unit have to be on to get HDMI pass through? Do some of the HDMI inputs pass through?

I have been reading about it and I don't see an answer either way.

-keep

**brianhos** · 03-20-2010, 02:39 PM

I bought a pioneer elite for $500 a few months back. Very happy with it. It is a really nice cheap unit for a small home theater.

**cyclonewoes** · 03-20-2010, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

OK, fellow Fanatics...need a little help.

My Sony receiver is acting funny. The other day, it maxed out the volume seemingly on it's own (I may have accidentally been leaning on the remote's volume button, though) and I heard a "pop" and the receiver was flashing, "PROTECT". Then, today, I smelled an electricity smell, and it flashed "PROTECT" again. After this happens, one of the speakers doesn't work for awhile.

So, this is a 12-year old receiver that wasn't really expensive when I got it...is it just fizzling out, or am I missing something?

Any suggestions for a new, fairly cheap ($200-300) receiver would be welcomed if you all think it's dying!

I used to sell sony receivers in college, basically the output chip is blown this is a very common problem. Once the magic smoke comes out you can't put it back. Look at the Onkyo 507 nice receiver for the money.

**isucyfan** · 03-20-2010, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by Clonehomer

The protect feature usually means that you have a short in one of the speaker wires. This may mean that one of your speakers came unplugged and the wires are touching. That's the only time I've ever encountered this issue. It doesn't mean it's broken!!

This may actually be the problem...on the right speaker, the wires are a bit unruly and they could have touched. I'll try shoring that up and see if I still have the problem.

Thanks for all the good advice here, everyone.

**ISUKyro** · 03-20-2010, 08:35 PM

I had a Sony amp about 10 years ago that said the exact same thing. It is most definitely a power issue. It only happened when I really had the volume at extreme levels (like to the point that the lights dim and circuits start to break) for long periods of time.