Possibly bad AVR?
I've been using an STR-DG720 for years. Recently noticed it was very extremely quiet with 2 channel audio. Thought it may have been codec issue or something, but finally did some tests and swapped the speakers with other book shelf speakers and still quiet. Keyword is that it is quiet, but you can still hear the audio. Has anyone had an AVR go bad in this manner? I'm trying to figure out if its a transistor/resistor after looking up some repair videos, or if there are any internal fuses. It seems that there is protection circuitry that prevents the device from booting from some errors, this seems to not be the case here.
Speakers are two large front speakers (SSF-5000) and 4 book shelf (SS-B1000), and a center channel. Sony STR-DG720 AVR.
Edit: I've cleared both sound field settings and a full factory reset. I'm stumped.
Posted Sep 25, 2017, 1:40 AM UTC · edited
You got a friends AVR to test with?
What sound mode are you using? Try direct
Thanks for the comment. Yes direct. I'm going to order a STR DN1070/1080 and test again. If I'm hearing some audio, do you think its possible that an internal crossover of the speakers had issues (seems unlikely for both) or if I could measure the output voltage of the front channels?
Side note, is atmos really worth it? I feel like a 7 channel system is already overkill compared to a 5.1. Nice, but overkill for most media sources.
Not sure a little over my expertise
I'd say yes, but it sounds best with 4 speakers not just 2. Best audio I've heard was a guy from work who has a 7.2.4 setup in his home theater. From my understanding the problem is there isn't a ton of content that uses atmos naively. So I guess it kinda depends on how you value "worth". I'd prob going with a 5.2.4 than a 7.2.2
Yeah, I guess for me I set up this 7.1 surround sound in apartments, so the atmos 4 speaker system is just not worth it until I have a more permanent house and wiring.
Anyways, I didn't think about the voltage check until our conversation. I'll see what I can do and update the post. Sony pretty much just wanted me to send in a service request. I think checking with another receiver is probably the smartest. Just frustrating to have some audio from the front channels as it just throws confusion into what is broken.
Just realized I overlooked something silly as far as testing goes when I went to check voltages. I hooked up the large speakers that are the front two channels to a different channel. Audio came out fine.
As I've reset the AVR to default values (both the sound field settings and memory), I assume that AVR is defective (10 years later I guess is OK). According to youtube, Sony tends to run these amplifiers really hot, so something likely fried. I'll take it apart, see if I can determine if it is the resistors or transistors, and replace the defective components or buy a new AVR.
Glad you figured it out. I'd just get a new AVR.