Need a new receiver

[topjobs]

Hi,

I have a Harman Kardon AVR20 and love it. The problem is the left speaker channel is not working anymore and when we turn the volume up or down, we can hear scratching. This receiver is 17 years old and we don't want to spend the money to fix it.

Can anyone tell me what kind of receiver I should get to have the same quality of sound? We tried a Yahama V375BL, and the sound quality is not even close to the HK. We have a Bose Acoustimass 7 speaker system.

Thanks.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum! You might be able to keep using that receiver.

Scratching
The scratching might be an easy fix - maybe. Sometimes the potentiometer in the volume dial gets dirty and causes that to happen. There are folks here who have recommended ways to clean them, and I think one way is to use DeOxit (but hopefully someone who's done it will chime in here).

Left Channel
As for the left speaker channel not working anymore, does it not work at all, or is it where you hear the scratching?

Be sure to check that the jumper plug on the back panel that connects the left "PRE OUT" to the left "MAIN IN" is in place and clean. You can also remove that jumper and try a plain RCA cable to connect those two jacks together. Also, have you tried both the "A" and "B" speaker terminals to see if either set works for the left channel?

 

[ReUpRo]

The scratchy sound is dirty/worn contacts on the volume pot (electrical component behind the knob). This alone might suggest that you're ready for a new receiver. That said, before you get into replacing the receiver, you should confirm that it is indeed the source of missing sound. In your case, it could be the receiver or Acoustimass Module or Left Speaker or wiring.

Check the all wires to make sure that are firmly seated and no frayed end are shorting out.

Then swap the L and R wires at the Acoustimass Module. If L works and R stops working, it means it is not the receiver or Acoustimass Module. It could be the L speaker or wires out to it.

Now swap the speaker connections at the back of the receiver. If L still doesn't work, it is the Acoustimass Module. If L works and R stops working, it is the receiver or wire from receiver to Acoustimass Module.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Hi,

I have a Harman Kardon AVR20 and love it. The problem is the left speaker channel is not working anymore and when we turn the volume up or down, we can hear scratching. This receiver is 17 years old and we don't want to spend the money to fix it.

Can anyone tell me what kind of receiver I should get to have the same quality of sound? We tried a Yahama V375BL, and the sound quality is not even close to the HK. We have a Bose Acoustimass 7 speaker system.

Thanks.

I find that any Denon receivers sound best with the Bose Acoustimass 7 speaker system when you use the PURE DIRECT mode.

 

[topjobs]

Thank you to all of you. Your instructions did the trick. I appreciate it.

 

[Adam]

Awesome! Glad that you got it working well again.