Strange Problem of random nature at Denon Amp

 

New member
Username: Manishisanwal

Post Number: 1
Registered: Apr-10
I purchased a denon AVR 1709 last year. It would play normally at times and then suddenly stop playing music & then suddenly start again.
When it stopped, everything else was normal power was on & i can see video siganls, being routed thru amp on TV. The speakers do not work for all input modes including the inbuild FM . Service centre could not fix the problem in 5 visits to the service centre and finally replaced the set.
After about 5 months, the same problem has reappeared. Any ideas of the reason for this strange random problem. Local service cannot fix
 

Gold Member
Username: Magfan

USA

Post Number: 1012
Registered: Oct-07
1. Is the unit in a well-ventilated space?
1A. How hot is it when it craps out? Stick a thermometer over the hottest spot on the receiver and record the # when it shuts off.
2. Are you playing at high to really high loudness levels?
3. Are the speakers rated 8 ohm? (even these can have dips which will drive a typical HT amp into self protection)
4. Have you checked your speaker cables for stray single strands?
5. Any Dogs, Cats or Mongeese chewing on wires?
 

New member
Username: Manishisanwal

Post Number: 2
Registered: Apr-10
Its a reasonably well ventilated space. I can check the temperature I doubt if its connected because it sometimes does NOT work when i switch it on in the morning. I am sure that the thing does not craps out after playing for long .. Its random BUT yes the problem has re appeared this summer and was not there during the winters

On loudness NO, maybe a song or two but normally its well at -20 level on the amp

chewing the wires -No and also its all the 5 speakers which shutdown at the same time and then restart at the same time

I use polk audio tower speakers for the front. .

can it be due to the fact that i am using my old phillips home theatre speakers for the surround2 and polk audio for the front 2. . however the system worked very well for past 6 months

anything else which can cause a random shutdown, related to power supply ...all other electronic items work perfectly well though
 

Gold Member
Username: Jrbay

Livonia [Detroit area], Michigan USA

Post Number: 1260
Registered: Feb-08
Assuming that the problem is related to output protection Is there a clicking noise like a relay engaging when the unit stops playing?

If it is an output problem the shut off should occur faster at higher volume levels.

Try using the unit in just stereo mode (front left/right only) to see if it shuts down again. If it doesn't then You could try replacing the rears with some speakers that more closely match the fronts which may be advisable anyway.

Another idea is to see if you could borrow a different brand receiver from the repair shop to see if it still happens, this may not be possible but perhaps worth a try.
 

Platinum Member
Username: Jan_b_vigne

Dallas, TX

Post Number: 14746
Registered: May-04
.

I assume you believe there is nothing you are doing or not doing which would result in the amplifier shutting down. If the unit at times does not power up from a cold start, then that would be a fair assumption at this time.


After five visits to the service center the tech(s) must have gone through a litany of suggestions regarding possible causes within your system or set up. We can only hope the tech had sufficient common sense and the skills required to actually perform adequate tests and didn't just shove this unit off to the side expecting Denon to finally replace the unit.


If this were my receiver, I would first contact the area Denon rep or distributor to make them aware of the continuing problems (with the unit and with the service center's inability to manage a repair) and the need for a quick resolution. Get their OK for another round of testing with the provision your unit gets priority to go to the front of the line at the local shop. Then contact the local shop with Denon's response. If Denon is unhelpful - which they shouldn't be - get the retailer who made the intial sale on your side and get some satisfaction.


Ask Denon and the service center for their suggestions, they know the units and they know what to look for when specific problems arise.


As far as any suggestions from here, the usual apply. Disconnect all inputs otehr than your FM antenna. Also disconnect all outputs along with all of your speakers. Place the unit in a well ventilated space without physical constraints.


Power the unit up and switch to an FM station. Set the volume control to an average level and allow the unit to cook for as long as possible while monitoring its condition. Should the unit shut down during this period you have eliminated multiple possible causes for such problems. If the unit does not shut down when no external sources are input and no speakers are attached to the outputs of the amplifier, we've narrowed the issue more to your own backyard. Nothing is conclusive but there's a good chance the problem is within your system or your set up.



If that's the case, the rest of this post probably does not apply and you need to start searching out the problems within your own system. I'm going to assume you've had the receiver in a competent shops and they've already covered vast amounts of this information and you know whether the problem exists in your own set up.



If, after a sufficient amount of time has passed, you are confident the amplifier is not shutting down with no load on its outputs, add one group of speakers to the receiver's outputs and repeat the cooking time. If the receiver survives all five speakers connected, add the source player you most commonly use.


This is tedious and time consuming but this is what the tech would do on the bench - the only difference would be the tech will use load resistors and signal generators while you'll use speakers and CD players. Either you can perform the test or you can take it to the shop and allow them to eat up their time. That's your decision unless either Denon or the shop have a better suggestion.


While in many cases certain models of componentry will have similar problems which become ubiquitous in an "AVRXXX" you cannot just assume this amplifier is suffering from the same issues that plagued your first receiver. The shop is your best guide here, they've seen what is most likely problematic in certain models and can guide you toward a solution if one exists.


The major manufacturers all still have some sort of factory service center or regional service center available as a last ditch effort to save troubled products. Ask Denon about sending your receiver to one of these locations for a more experienced tech to troubleshoot. You will probably be told you need to have your local shop assess the component before it can be sent to the next level of service. If you take the receiver to your local shop, also supply them with your front and center speakers so they can more fully test the unit under conditions similar to your own.


How much time do you care to spend with this problem? Decide whether an AVR 1709 is worth your time and make the deal to either have this receiver serviced according to Denon's protocols (which sometimes tend toward the attitude of waiting out the customer's patience) or to cut a deal with Denon and get an entirely different receiver. I would say five trips to the shop without resolution and a replacement receiver (which might have been a "B" stock unit to begin with) is enough to get the hairs on the back of your neck standing up. Be as firm and as fair with Denon as possible but make it known you need satisfaction on this matter.


Denon cannot control the quality of every service tech in every shop but they do know the quality of their regional service centers - or at least they should. You need to either get this unit to one of those techs or you need a different receiver with full factory warranty - no "B" stock exchanges!


Therefore, first, contact the shop and Denon immediately. Ask for their suggestions while strongly "hinting" you need quick satisfaction and no further time wasters. If your unit goes into the local shop, it gets priority advancement to the front of the waiting list. Decisions need to be made and they need to be made soon. This problem is eating up your valuable time and effort time and your time costs money.




Disconect the unit and run through the tests decribed earlier. Have your issues and the situations in which they occur written out.


How long after power up and under what conditions does the unit shut down? Are there any patterns to the problem showing itself? Does it do so with any particular inputs or any particular source material? If there are certain pieces of material which cause the shut down, then you need to identify them and at what specific times into which specific tracks the problem occurs, supply that information along with the discs to the shop when it is sent in for service. (Obviously, get a receipt for the discs.) How long does it stay shut down before it powers back up? Does it power back up on its own or when you use the power switch? Are there any unusual sounds or smells noticed at the time the unit shuts down? Are there any electrical problems in your building you can associate with the shut downs? Do you have the receiver attached to any AC treatment devices such as a surge protector? Does the receiver shut down when another appliance such as the refrigerator or AC switch on?



Anything you think might be relevant to the problem and even those things you do not should be listed and supplied to Denon and the service center. All of this will be of use in searching out the problematic component.


Then negotiate for your best outcome.


.
 

Gold Member
Username: Magfan

USA

Post Number: 1018
Registered: Oct-07
In California, if you've had your New CAR to the shop for the same problem 5 times, that'd trigger 'The Lemon Law'.

Too bad there's no such thing for some other ....consumer goods.
 

Platinum Member
Username: Jan_b_vigne

Dallas, TX

Post Number: 14750
Registered: May-04
.

There are, electronics are generally covered under the same statutes. However, this specific receiver hasn't been in the shop yet.


.
 

Platinum Member
Username: Nuck

Post Number: 14837
Registered: Dec-04
Not the shop proper, at least.
 

Gold Member
Username: Magfan

USA

Post Number: 1025
Registered: Oct-07
Looked up the Lemon Law....Yep......California's law covers appliances, too.
90% of the press and web coverage is oriented to the automobile market.
 

Platinum Member
Username: Nuck

Post Number: 14842
Registered: Dec-04
Thank goodness, that vibrattor in the guest room has been sounding a bit wonky.
Last date brought her mom for protection...top that for a long story, Leo.
 

Platinum Member
Username: Jan_b_vigne

Dallas, TX

Post Number: 14754
Registered: May-04
.


For protection!!!


That's dumb!



How'd she ever get her mom rolled into one of those little plastic packages?



.
 

Platinum Member
Username: Nuck

Post Number: 14849
Registered: Dec-04
And how did her .32 pass security?!?
 

Platinum Member
Username: Jan_b_vigne

Dallas, TX

Post Number: 14755
Registered: May-04
.

That's the way to impress a girl, Nuck, demand a full body scan on the first date.



.
 

Platinum Member
Username: Nuck

Post Number: 14852
Registered: Dec-04
Just on her mom/body guard.
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