Amp/Receiver problem.. Help!!!

[kamakookie]

I have a Pioneer home theater system with a seperate amplifier (model cx-4000) and receiver (model m-5000). I have only been using the 2 floor speakers but now what little sound I can get from them is full of static and sounds horrible. The level of sound output changes depending on what mode I choose--Dolby 5.1, Pro-logic, surround off, etc. The speakers are fine so it has to be either the receiver or the amp. The stereo was like this when I came home from a trip and of course my roommate didn't touch it, but in the past he's shown out for his friends by cranking the volume. Any suggestions of where I should start?? Thanks.

 

[The Dukester]

First off, how do you know your speakers are OK? Did you check them on another setup? Obviously, just looking at them won't always tell the tale. If you are sure they are OK and have checked all of your connections, I would suspect the amp first. If your roomate really didn't do anything to it, you could have had a lightning strike or power surge go through your system.

Also, have you tried different sources, such as radio, CD, tape, etc? If so did it sound bad on all of them? If so, then again it would lead to the amp (or speakers). If the problem goes and comes depending on what you select, then it will be the receiver. Could be as simple as a dirty selector switch in that case.
Best wishes on finding your problem. Hope it's a connection!

 

[mulester7]

First off, how do you know your speakers are OK? Did you check them on another setup? Obviously, just looking at them won't always tell the tale

.....I suspect speakers also, Duke....sounds like maybe woofers AND mids voice-coils and spiders....I hope not, but,.......

 

[kamakookie]

I checked the speakers on another stereo and they were ok. I took the cover off of the amp to see if any of the boards had burnt spots or maybe loose connections and didnt see any, but then again I'm far from a pro. All I noticed was that the fan would come on for about 1 sec when the power was turned on then go back off. I'm assuming that means the amp is fried?

 

[mulester7]

I checked the speakers on another stereo and they were ok. I took the cover off of the amp to see if any of the boards had burnt spots or maybe loose connections and didnt see any, but then again I'm far from a pro. All I noticed was that the fan would come on for about 1 sec when the power was turned on then go back off. I'm assuming that means the amp is fried?

.....good for the speakers being ok....I guess you should have the slave amp checked out....

 

[The Dukester]

One other thing you can do, if you have a receiver and not a preamp, is to just take the amp out of the system and try it out. If you simply preamped the rcvr out using the sep amp for more power, then just switch on or use jumpers to turn on the built in amp on the receiver. See if that plays OK. If so, then you know where the problem is. If not, well, could be the receiver or both.