Intermittent loss of sound Denon receiver

[iMark]

After a power cut earlier in the week our Denon DRA-1000 receiver is suffering from occasional loss of sound output. I can get the sound back by switching the unit off and on again but it doesn't bode well for this unit I bought in 1999.

Anyone an idea what the problem might be? If it's a major problem, I don't think it's worth it to have it repaired, so we might be in the market for a new stereo receiver.

I have already looked at a few alternatives in case the machine gives up the ghost. The easiest option seems to be one of these:

- Yamaha R-S 500 or R-S 700 (EUR 329 or 419 are the lowest prices in NL)

We would like a stereo receiver with:

- decent FM tuner (reception is through cable company),

- MM Phono stage

- able to power 2 sets of speakers (8 Ohm), prefarably with A/B switching on the remote control

- a record out selector (the only thing I miss at the moment).

- 2 tape in/outs

It seems that Denon have stopped making stereo receivers (the DRA-700AE is still on sale though but no A/B switching on the remote), Onkyo doesn't do phono stages, Marantz only make the SR 5023 (one pair of speakers). The Harmon/Kardon HK3490 doesn't have A/B switching on the remote but does have a digital and optical input. Not a big deal though because we already have a DAC.

The new R-N500 network receiver seems a nice option but doesn't do ALAC. So I think I have narrowed it down to the Yamaha R-S500 or 700. I wonder if the 700 will be much better than the 500 for the EUR 90 difference.

 

[skippy]

It may be something as simple as a build up of dust in the headphone socket.

If you turn the unit off and either blow (or blast with a keyboard aerosol) or get a q tip and clean out... See if that works

 

[iMark]

I tried compressed air. It didn't work and the problem seems to have gotten worse.

We went to a shop today to buy the Yamaha R-S 500. Unfortunately no stock in the shop but they will deliver later in the week, at no extra charge. It seems a bargain at EUR 329.

In the meantime I got my mum's old receiver (a Pioneer SX-295 RDS) from the attic so we can still listen to some music. The biggest challenge was reprogramming the Logitech remote. At least I got my practise for when the Yamaha arrives.

We're really looking forward to the new receiver. Sometimes you need an excuse to buy something new and a breakdown is probably the best excuse there is.