Serviceability/Parts Availability on Costly AV Equipment is a Disgrace.

[highfigh]

You deserved better service support than this!! Anyway, that's why unless money is not remotely an issue or even a concern, I don't recommend anyone spending extra $ on such so called "separates" for HT multichannel applications. There are too many things to go wrong on be "buggy" (think those boutique brands Arcam, Anthem, even NADs, Emotiva when first launch, and some remain buggy for many months before a few FW updates).



And I have AVRs that are almost 20 years old, and working 100% fine just not on my racks anymore!

It is better to seriously consider AVR models that just got superseded by a new model, at deep discounts, and just use it with external amps. I know that makes even less sense and seems unthinkable for those who insist on not paying for features they don't use even if there are significant net savings if they go that route, but for many, why argue with money, if as example, an AVR-X3800H, even the X4800H would cost much less and have more useful features than an AV7706? Again, that doesn't apply to you, but to those on a tight budget and maybe money matters a lot more to them. It also doesn't apply to those who must have something that looks pleasing to them. My whole point, is an AVP or AVR that has 11 or more channel processing not counting multiple discrete subwoofer outputs have a lot more that can go wrong than those less than 10 years old models, and are often not practically repairable. I know you are one who would think AVRs are even worse, much worse because of the large numbers of power amps jammed into one box, but can't argue with the facts that they don't seem to be failing any more than AVPs, as power amps are usually trouble free if only used lightly, or on standby mode only all the time, like the preamp mode, or even just ECA mode.

PS- Good thing you anticipate the issue might return so you don't lose much uptime with the 7706 right there, and I am posting this just to remind others of seriously considering costs if they are sitting on the fence of choosing an AVR or AVP, and that the perceived advantages of the so called "separates" really don't add up to much in the case of the highly complicated AV devices that have channel count >>7.1 or that are the norms less than about 10 years ago.

Not that I want to defend current practices from the manufacturers, but their model has changed drastically in the last 30 years and the loss of B&M stores hasn't helped- they were able to goto bat for customers and now, online sellers see customers as nameless & faceless. They used to provide service manuals to any authorized dealer, trained the service techs and the regional service centers tended to be very capable. Not all problems were solvable, but they would repair or replace equipment, sometimes as a mesure of goodwill. Then, everything became much more complicated when digital audio was introduced and the AV industry left most service techs in the dust. Tens of thousands of techs had to make choices about their future, which had been pretty stable until that point- they found themselves in the position of having to look for other work. The manufacturers stopped having regional training sessions and sent CD-Roms with new info, sometimes had conference calls via phone with the techs viewing the discs, then they went to webinars. Service manuals and sales info went away, too- the weight of the boxes of paper cost a lot to ship, so it ended with the internet.

Then, they decided that they didn't want to sell parts. That leaves us where we are, now. They used to stock parts for units that were discontinued and in fact, Sony sold off their old parts from the '70s and '80s only about ten years ago- I called to find out if they had a meter for my 1970's integrated ampo and the woman I spoke with said that she knew as fact that they had one before they shipped everything.

I'm sure someone can repair this, but I believe the search will be almost impossible. I used to think hte new technologies were cool and interesting but now, I think they need to examine the whole situation- however, people want, want, want and the manufacturers are happy to spew new and 'better' stuff. People have adopted the 'It's cheap, so I'll just replace it' mindset and many don't see the $2K cost as excessive if it lasts long enough, in their opinion.

They don't make money if everything can be repaired.

 

[Trell]

Then, they decided that they didn't want to sell parts. That leaves us where we are, now. They used to stock parts for units that were discontinued and in fact, Sony sold off their old parts from the '70s and '80s only about ten years ago- I called to find out if they had a meter for my 1970's integrated ampo and the woman I spoke with said that she knew as fact that they had one before they shipped everything.

You could implementing laws requiring to stock parts for a number of years, but you don't, so whine about it?

 

[TLS Guy]

Not that I want to defend current practices from the manufacturers, but their model has changed drastically in the last 30 years and the loss of B&M stores hasn't helped- they were able to goto bat for customers and now, online sellers see customers as nameless & faceless. They used to provide service manuals to any authorized dealer, trained the service techs and the regional service centers tended to be very capable. Not all problems were solvable, but they would repair or replace equipment, sometimes as a mesure of goodwill. Then, everything became much more complicated when digital audio was introduced and the AV industry left most service techs in the dust. Tens of thousands of techs had to make choices about their future, which had been pretty stable until that point- they found themselves in the position of having to look for other work. The manufacturers stopped having regional training sessions and sent CD-Roms with new info, sometimes had conference calls via phone with the techs viewing the discs, then they went to webinars. Service manuals and sales info went away, too- the weight of the boxes of paper cost a lot to ship, so it ended with the internet.

Then, they decided that they didn't want to sell parts. That leaves us where we are, now. They used to stock parts for units that were discontinued and in fact, Sony sold off their old parts from the '70s and '80s only about ten years ago- I called to find out if they had a meter for my 1970's integrated ampo and the woman I spoke with said that she knew as fact that they had one before they shipped everything.

I'm sure someone can repair this, but I believe the search will be almost impossible. I used to think hte new technologies were cool and interesting but now, I think they need to examine the whole situation- however, people want, want, want and the manufacturers are happy to spew new and 'better' stuff. People have adopted the 'It's cheap, so I'll just replace it' mindset and many don't see the $2K cost as excessive if it lasts long enough, in their opinion.

They don't make money if everything can be repaired.

I think it is unlikely it can be repaired. For the difference in cost and value of the unit, the decision to cut my losses and replace it are correct.

Made a loud bang, from the unit? That sounds like a power supply cap- did it smell bad, too?

I just sent an e-mail to the owner of an AV rep firm that carries Denon, Marantz and others- I copied & pasted the text showing what you did, who you contacted. If possible and if needed, can you send some info about the extent of your electronic training in a PM? Also, IIRC, you were involved with the AES in the MPLS area, am I correct? That might help. I can PM the name of the servicer I used in the past- they wereauthorized by most brands and located in Chicago until the owner decided that it was no longer safe for his company, himself and the employees.

I'll let you know what I find out from the rep.

No, it was not the power supply cap, but the source of the bang was probably the power supply board, but the digital processing board is also a possibility. We will never know, but I'm not the sort of idiot who will give it another chance to do it again. From my inquiries it seems these 7705s are actually known for this to some degree and can do lot of damage. Any other owners had better be aware. At this time the unit functions normally except for the left rear surround, which that bang seemed to take out.

I have had no formal electronics training, but I have built and even designed gear over the years, and done repair and vintage restoration but all analog gear except HTPCS and DAW builds. I also mod equipment like my active crossovers for instance. I was VP to the midwest AES chapter for a number of years and made presentations. Of course I have been active in speaker design and builds with a special interest in transmission line speakers. I also did the outside classical radio broadcasts for the public radio station in Grand Forks ND for many years. So I have been "around the block" a bit as they say.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

At least it’s a small 30-pound AVP that’s defective, not a 300-pound speaker with built-in electronics (DSP, EQ, Amps, Dolby Processors, etc.) that’s defective.

 

[TLS Guy]

At least it’s a small 30-pound AVP that’s defective, not a 300-pound speaker with built-in electronics (DSP, EQ, Amps, Dolby Processors, etc.) that’s defective.

I think it would be easier to change the electronics in an active speaker than that AVP. The AVP change was a very major undertaking over pretty much two days.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think it would be easier to change the electronics in an active speaker than that AVP. The AVP change was a very major undertaking over pretty much two days.

Depends on how much they cram in the speaker. If they cram the electronics in the speaker like the AVR/AVP, it would be the same mess. Except even worse since it's on a 300-pound speaker.