System noise/humming from Pioneer VSX91-TXH Receiver?

[minotauri]

First off, I have a Pioneer Elite VSX91-TXH receiver and many components attached to it - including xbox360 slim (hdmi), ps3 (hdmi), cable box (component/optical), hdmi switch, toshiba hd-dvd player (hdmi), and a samsung ln-46a650 lcd tv.

My problem is I hear a lot of idle hum/hissing noise when I switch to any of my components and they are idle. When I say Idle, i mean, that you only hear it when the xbox is in the dashboard, or when the dvd player is in the loading/menu screen. Once the actual game or video starts, the humming goes away (or maybe gets drowned out). I also tried using aux-in with a stereo jack to rca with my mp3 player and it also makes noise when there's no music playing but goes away as soon as music plays.

I've tried two different power conditioners -- Monster HT800G and Belkin PureAV PF30 -- with no luck. I've also tried some basic ground loop trial and error work by unplugging every device and still hearing this buzz even with only the bare minimum of devices plugged into the power conditioner.

Finally, I even tried headphones, and theres still buzz only when the component is in idle state. Is this just a noisy receiver or some other issue?

Also - when I switch to a non-active component on my receiver, like say, CD, where there's no CD attached or turned on, there's no noise at all despite volume change to the max. The cable box seems to produce no noise. It's using components for video and optical for audio.

 

[bikdav]

I'm not sure it's the receiver. Instead, it's probably the connected sources that you mentioned. That happened to me a few times. When I disconnected the offenders, there was no more noise. Also, if you have alternate connection schemes available, I'd try those to see if any of them are quiet. If they are, the original connecting scheme is generating noise for some reason.

 

[minotauri]

Thanks for the response. I've tried a few different setups but I'll keep trying. I may also try a different outlet and see if that could be the cause of it.

Any other suggestions would be great

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for the response. I've tried a few different setups but I'll keep trying. I may also try a different outlet and see if that could be the cause of it.

Any other suggestions would be great

Are you sure you don't have an auto gain/compression mode turned on? Something like night mode.

It sounds as if the receiver is increasing gain when there is minimal output and reducing gain when the music starts.

This should not be happening. If you can find no compression modes turned on, do a reset in case the mode is turned on when it should not be.

 

[minotauri]

Are you sure you don't have an auto gain/compression mode turned on? Something like night mode.

It sounds as if the receiver is increasing gain when there is minimal output and reducing gain when the music starts.

This should not be happening. If you can find no compression modes turned on, do a reset in case the mode is turned on when it should not be.

I was thinking that something like auto-gain or just some sort of gain control was on too high, but I couldn't find any function like that on my remote or the receiver, but I did come across a MIDNIGHT mode in the manual. I'll have to try this out once I get off work. Thanks for the tip!

 

[minotauri]

well i've tried midnight mode and that didnt change the humming. i also disconnected everything including speakers etc and still get the hum, even if i just plug headphones and an mp3 player to it.

i also tried another outlet in a different room where I have a Cambridge Audio stereo receiver, which has no noise issues, and it still occurs on the Pioneer.

To me, its more and more looking like I will be replacing this receiver.

 

[bikdav]

That's no fun. At least, you thoroughly investigated this problem.

 

[SeriousMoonlight]

First off, I have a Pioneer Elite VSX91-TXH receiver and many components attached to it - including xbox360 slim (hdmi), ps3 (hdmi), cable box (component/optical), hdmi switch, toshiba hd-dvd player (hdmi), and a samsung ln-46a650 lcd tv.

My problem is I hear a lot of idle hum/hissing noise when I switch to any of my components and they are idle. When I say Idle, i mean, that you only hear it when the xbox is in the dashboard, or when the dvd player is in the loading/menu screen. Once the actual game or video starts, the humming goes away (or maybe gets drowned out). I also tried using aux-in with a stereo jack to rca with my mp3 player and it also makes noise when there's no music playing but goes away as soon as music plays.

I've tried two different power conditioners -- Monster HT800G and Belkin PureAV PF30 -- with no luck. I've also tried some basic ground loop trial and error work by unplugging every device and still hearing this buzz even with only the bare minimum of devices plugged into the power conditioner.

Finally, I even tried headphones, and theres still buzz only when the component is in idle state. Is this just a noisy receiver or some other issue?

Also - when I switch to a non-active component on my receiver, like say, CD, where there's no CD attached or turned on, there's no noise at all despite volume change to the max. The cable box seems to produce no noise. It's using components for video and optical for audio.

Not sure if you are still on this group. I have the 91 TXH and I have been having the EXACT same issues as you have described in your post. Did you ever find a solution? This is a great receiver but the humming issue is driving me insane!