Dead Reciever?

[dkaardal]

I picked up a Harmon Kardon receiver (AVR 510) from ebay today, and when I plugged everything in... nothing happened.

When I plug in all the speakers (brand new Athena Micra 6 system), all I get is very faint sound - and that's when the volume is at the absolute max.

I tried resetting the unit, no help

tried unplugging the digital coax and using just left and right RCA - nothing.

I unplugged all the speakers, then plugged the left and right channels in. No luck

I switched from the cable that I bought (generic 16 gauge stranded with banana plugs that I put on) to the crappy cables that came with the Athena speakers - still only the faintest sound when I crank the volume to max.

I am getting something from the subwoofer - again, when the volume is max.

Is the receiver dead? It didn’t come with a remote, so I can't go into the setup menu - but I should be able to at least HEAR something through the speakers, no? I had intended to order a remote from Harmon Kardon... but if this unit is dead, then I'll just take it back to the seller and go and buy a brand new one.

help?

dak.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I picked up a Harmon Kardon receiver (AVR 510) from ebay today, and when I plugged everything in... nothing happened.

When I plug in all the speakers (brand new Athena Micra 6 system), all I get is very faint sound - and that's when the volume is at the absolute max.

I tried resetting the unit, no help

tried unplugging the digital coax and using just left and right RCA - nothing.

I unplugged all the speakers, then plugged the left and right channels in. No luck

I switched from the cable that I bought (generic 16 gauge stranded with banana plugs that I put on) to the crappy cables that came with the Athena speakers - still only the faintest sound when I crank the volume to max.

I am getting something from the subwoofer - again, when the volume is max.

Is the receiver dead? It didn’t come with a remote, so I can't go into the setup menu - but I should be able to at least HEAR something through the speakers, no? I had intended to order a remote from Harmon Kardon... but if this unit is dead, then I'll just take it back to the seller and go and buy a brand new one.

help?

dak.

Did you get a manual with it?
Perhaps there is a mute that is engaged but I would think that would default to normal when power is turned off?
Perhaps a tape loop is engaged? There is weak sound that would indicated a bleed through and that something may be muted or wrong input/output is engaged.

 

[dkaardal]

I went through the manual (I've got the PDF file in my computer), and everything is just as it should be. I connected another device (old sony vhs player) to another input on the unit, and same thing. what little sound there was was incredibly faint.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I went through the manual (I've got the PDF file in my computer), and everything is just as it should be. I connected another device (old sony vhs player) to another input on the unit, and same thing. what little sound there was was incredibly faint.

The only reason for such faint sound is for something to be attenuating the sound. What you hear is the amplification of next to nothing signal levels as you hear it when the volume is at max. I bet something is overlooked, easy to do.
It is as if you have your cd playing but have another input selected and max out the volume, you will have a faint sound of the CD, crosstalk in the traces.

 

[mulester7]

Perhaps a tape loop is engaged? There is weak sound that would indicated a bleed through and that something may be muted or wrong input/output is engaged.

.....that was my first thought too, Dkaardal....if you have a tape loop, input your CD player through "tape in" and see what you get....it sounds like it's at the source-switching level....

 

[dkaardal]

no luck.



just to be safe, I tries 2 different dvd players in each input choice. Still barely any sound what so ever.

dak.

 

[mulester7]

no luck.



just to be safe, I tries 2 different dvd players in each input choice. Still barely any sound what so ever.

dak.

.....Dkaardal, without a remote, which "could" hold the key for internal settings or adjustments, I would probably return the unit and start again....but, you could always drop 25-30 bucks to a trusted local audio component repair shop, they might could establish the deficiency/problem, but you still wouldn't have a remote....possibly at that point, a programable universal remote could come into play, but unless you got the receiver super-cheap off FleaBay, your costs would then be steadily going up....sorry for your misfortune....been there....your call......

 

[dkaardal]

I think I am going to return it. The e-bay seller has a DOA warranty, so hopfully I won't be hassled much. I'm pretty disappointed though... I was VERY much looking forward to setting everything up last night.

<sigh>


dak.

 

[mulester7]

I think I am going to return it. The e-bay seller has a DOA warranty, so hopfully I won't be hassled much. I'm pretty disappointed though... I was VERY much looking forward to setting everything up last night.

<sigh>


dak.

.....understand the disappointment, Dkaardal, as I said, I've been there....just attack the return with an attitude of a better day's coming.....

 

[mnnc]

I think I am going to return it. The e-bay seller has a DOA warranty, so hopfully I won't be hassled much. I'm pretty disappointed though... I was VERY much looking forward to setting everything up last night.

<sigh>


dak.

Bummer...I did not read every thread but is unit new? Are channel levels lowered to min? Sounds like you have exhausted all possibilities...jump on the return asap. Perhaps a replacement can be had. Chances of getting a second unit defective are really slim. Good luck. Keep us posted as I do a bit of bargaining on the bay as well.

 

[Half Fast]

I feel your pain! I purchased a Pioneer VSX-59txi on ebay last week and it arrived this Monday badly damaged. I have not tried to power it up because it looks like impact damage from a fall/drop. The seller responded immediately and will take it back for a refund but we have to wait for the shipper to inspect the unit and process the insurance claim. For now it is sitting all beat up on my kitchen table instead of in my A/V rack. All I can do is look at it and pout.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I think I am going to return it. The e-bay seller has a DOA warranty, so hopfully I won't be hassled much. I'm pretty disappointed though... I was VERY much looking forward to setting everything up last night. <sigh>
dak.

Next time make sure you get the remote as well. That could be holding the mystery. Maybe you need to ask the seller if he has it someplace and give that a try.