Denon AVR 1802 Problem

[Hbcueducated]

My receiver sends a signal that results in a thump or popping sound in the left built in subwoofer of my DefTech 2006TLs. I've had the speaker checked out by the manufacturer. The tweeters were replaced because they were shot. The guy at the store I bought the speakers from noticed the problem with the tweeters as we were trying to replicate the problem I was having at home with the subwoofer, but I digress.

I get this thump sound when I play DVDs. I hear it when a DVD starts up sends any kind of audio signal, as well as when I'm scrolling from one DVD chapter to another. This started a couple of months ago. I haven't moved the system or added any new components. It the same system I set up 5 years ago and worked without a hitch until recently.

Does anyone have an ideas. Is it the Denon AVR? I'd hate to buy another AVR only to discover the issue isn't solved.

Please help.

 

[agarwalro]

I get this thump sound when I play DVDs. I hear it when a DVD starts up sends any kind of audio signal, as well as when I'm scrolling from one DVD chapter to another. This started a couple of months ago. I haven't moved the system or added any new components. It the same system I set up 5 years ago and worked without a hitch until recently.

Does it happen on all DVDs? In some DVDs the audio loop restarts when you change screens, causing a "thump".

Does the issue persist on other sources? Say, when you are watching TV. If not, maybe the DVD player is on its way out...

Try plugging the DVD player into a different input on the AVR. If it still happens, it may not be the AVR. Or better yet, try pluggin the DVD player into a different AVR and see if the problem persists.

 

[Hbcueducated]

Does it happen on all DVDs? In some DVDs the audio loop restarts when you change screens, causing a "thump".

Does the issue persist on other sources? Say, when you are watching TV. If not, maybe the DVD player is on its way out...

Try plugging the DVD player into a different input on the AVR. If it still happens, it may not be the AVR. Or better yet, try pluggin the DVD player into a different AVR and see if the problem persists.

Thanks for your response!!!

Regrettably, it happens with all DVDs. I experimented last night, with the DVD player off, and still noticed the thumping when I switched surround sound modes. I heard it as I switched through every mode, Matrix, 5 Channel, etc., except Stereo. Go figure.

I have all my electroncis protected by surge protectors but I'm thinking the frequent power interruptions we get in my area may have fried a circuit in the AVR.

 

[agarwalro]

with the DVD player off, and still noticed the thumping when I switched surround sound modes. I heard it as I switched through every mode, Matrix, 5 Channel, etc., except Stereo.

So it thumps even if there is no signal being amplified. Does it thump with the AVR on Mute? If yes, I strongly suspect the AVR is the culpret.

Maybe you can get an AVR on "Demo" from a brick and mortar store.

 

[Hbcueducated]

So it thumps even if there is no signal being amplified. Does it thump with the AVR on Mute? If yes, I strongly suspect the AVR is the culpret.

Maybe you can get an AVR on "Demo" from a brick and mortar store.

Ok. I tried it with the mute on and I didn't hear the thump, BUT as soon as I restored the volume I got the thump. I'm also hearing a pop through the same speaker. I'm beginning to think that it is the AVR. I guess I'll also consider Yamaha and Onkyo's in determing what to get as a replacement unit, but before I do that I'm going to pull out an old receiver and see what's up.

Thanks for all of your help, bro.

 

[tomd51]

I can almost guarantee you this is a problem with the built-in amplifier of the DefTech itself. If you're feeding them the LFE signal via RCA low (line) level input, then simply disconnect the cable feeding the subwoofer of the left speaker.

If the LFE is fed via high level inputs (aka speaker inputs), it won't be possible to keep the LFE from being fed to this speaker. I previously had some Infinity IL50s that had powered subs built-in. Fortunately never had any problems, but I had the LFE routed via low level inputs, not sure if you can do this w/the DefTechs.

Another option would be to run the DefTechs as "small" in the Denon configuration, then if you have another subwoofer available, run that straight from the sub out on the Denon. This way you should be able to determine if the popping is coming from the Denon or not, but from what you've described, I really believe it's coming from the amp sub in the left DefTech speaker.

Probably not what you want to hear, but take a look at some of these options... -TD

 

[Hbcueducated]

I can almost guarantee you this is a problem with the built-in amplifier of the DefTech itself. If you're feeding them the LFE signal via RCA low (line) level input, then simply disconnect the cable feeding the subwoofer of the left speaker.

If the LFE is fed via high level inputs (aka speaker inputs), it won't be possible to keep the LFE from being fed to this speaker. I previously had some Infinity IL50s that had powered subs built-in. Fortunately never had any problems, but I had the LFE routed via low level inputs, not sure if you can do this w/the DefTechs.

Another option would be to run the DefTechs as "small" in the Denon configuration, then if you have another subwoofer available, run that straight from the sub out on the Denon. This way you should be able to determine if the popping is coming from the Denon or not, but from what you've described, I really believe it's coming from the amp sub in the left DefTech speaker.

Probably not what you want to hear, but take a look at some of these options... -TD

Tom, you're right!! I don't wan to hear that! I hope you're wrong. I'm feeding the speakers through high level inputs. I appreciate the options you describe, but for various reasons they aren't practical for me at this time. However, I will "test" your theory by temporarily switching the fronts around and see if the problem is replicated.

Stay tuned.

 

[tomd51]

I knew you wouldn't like it, but if that's it, at least you'll know.

Do you have low level inputs on the DefTechs to work with? -TD

 

[Hbcueducated]

Tom, I'm glad you read my reply in the spirit it was written. I don't have any low level inputs to work with, but the speakers do have LFE inputs. I'm hoping that based on my original description of the problem to Gramophone and DefTech that the subwoofer's circuitry was checked. Gramophone first informed me that tweeters were shot.

Anyway, as I began typing this message I decided I'd go ahead and switch the speakers around and I'm hearing that same pop and thump from the left channel going into the right front as I was hearing from the left front.

Tom, I really appreciate your input. Your reply prompted me to do what my wife had suggested a couple of days ago, so I guess the mystery is solved. d I'll be looking into getting a new AVR. The Denon will be one heavy paper weight, if I don't see about getting it repaired at some point. I'll have to weigh the cost/benefit of a repair. Any suggestions on that?

 

[tomd51]

So you switched the speaker outs on the receiver from the left to the right and now you're hearing it in the right speaker also? If that's the case, then that may bring you back to a receiver issue. Strange I've never heard this type of behavior, but nothing surprises me too much anymore with this stuff...

You can pick up a decent used or refurbished Denon, Yamaha Onkyo for btw $200-$300, so I'd suggest one that has decent power (at least 80 watts per channel) and line outputs for each channel for use w/an amplifier if you chose to add one in the future.

Some that come to mind are a Yamaha RX-V659, Denon 1906/786 2106/886 (1906 and 786 are the same receiver, just different model numbers, same w/the other), Onkyo TX-SR702, TX-SR703, Harman Kardon AVR-335. These will all offer you similar performance for the price point and are solid performers for minor upgrade cost. If you'd like some suggestions on where to find these, I'll offer these as well.

If you prefer newer models and have more of a budget to work with, let me know and I can suggest some others also... -TD

 

[Hbcueducated]

Well, what I did was hook the right speaker up to the channel (left) that I suspected as being faulty, and the heretofore properly sounding right speaker made the same pop and thump sound as the left one had been making. The right channel works fine.

I must say you are a wealth of information, so I am happy to benefit from your knowledge. I hadn't thought about the refurbished route but I'm open to that. What are some places to check out? As for new units, I'd just started researching and have thought about the Onkyo TX-SR605, the Yamaha RX-V661, and the Yamaha HTR-6060. However, I'd like to hear your suggestions on places to shop.

I really appreciate your help and suggestions.

 

[tomd51]

I've had very good experiences going the refurbished and pre-owned equipment route. I'd go so far as to say I couldn't have afforded more than half the equipment I'm using if I didn't buy used or refurbished.

One of the better sites I've used is uBid. My existing receiver being used as a pre-pro (Yamaha RX-V2500), receiver in a secondary setup (Denon AVR-886) and receiver in my bedroom setup (Yamaha RX-V659) all came from uBid as refurbs. All three looked pristine, brand new out of the box and have performed flawlessly.

The trade-off is I only got a 30 day warranty for the Yamahas and a 90 day warranty for the Denon. In my experience, though, if you're going to run into receiver issues, it's likely to happen within the first month during moderate usage.

Here's a list of solid receivers that are currently available at uBid:

Yamaha RXV659 for $289
Yamaha RX-V661 for $385
Yamaha RX-V1600 for $399
Denon AVR1907 for $255
Denon AVR2106 for $301
Denon AVR-886 for $305

The 1600 is a step above most of these, but would be worth the extra cost. The 886 is identical to the 2106, it just happens to be silver in the event your aesthetics call for that as oppose to the rest which are black.

All of these are well equipped with decent expandability features, but if you need the latest and greatest such as HDMI 1.3 and HD decoders (Dolby True HD, DTS Master Audio, etc.), you may want to consider an Onkyo TX-SR705. If you don't feel you'd ever need or want the ability to add or supplement the internal amplifiers, you could step down to the 605. Onkyo's latest *05 models offer a great value with the available features for the cost. uBid has a 705 up at this point and I've seen a 605 available as well in the past few weeks.

Some other places to consider finding decent refurbs may be Dakmart (Denon), Onkyo's online site or Accessories For Less for some of the Onkyo models mentioned. In fact, they have an Onkyo TX-SR703 for $349 that would be comparable to many of the Denons and Yamahas mentioned previously.

Lastly, you may want to take a look at AudiogoN for previously owned, I've had good success there as well.

Let me know if you have any questions on these suggestions... -TD

 

[Hbcueducated]

Tom provided some great guidance. After some fence sitting, I decided to go with the Yammy RXV659. I ordered it early this week and it arrived today. I'm looking forward to many, many hours of listening and viewing pleasure once this beast is unleashed.

 

[tomd51]

Glad I could help, I'm great at spending other people's money!

It's a very nice receiver for the money, I'm sure you'll be pleased with it. Once you've had a chance to set things up, do your level calibration and run some good music and/or movies through it, let us know your impressions... -TD