Denon AVR 2803 - No SubWoofer Output

[cpb_70]

PLEASE HELP!! I have a Denon model AVR2803 receiver. I recently lost output on my subwoofer channel. I have tried a different sub, different cables and plugging the sub into a different power supply. No luck. So I’m obviously looking at a problem with the receiver itself. I’ve gone thru all of the menus that reference the sub settings that I’ve found. And from what I can tell, the sub is ON and it is turned up all the way. But no output regardless of mode. When I run the “Test Tone”, it shows the Sub during the test but there is only silence during the Sub’s portion of the Test Tone. The Sub is picking up a signal though… when I power on the receiver, the light on the back of sub goes from Red (stand by) to green (power on / signal received) but still no audible output. I’m wondering if there is a reset procedure or mechanism or something of the sort? Or if it’s really broken and requiring service. For what’s its worth, my Sub in an Infinity PSW12 500 watt powered subwoofer. I’m also using an external Niles amplifier for my front channel speakers, and they are still functioning perfectly… in case someone was thinking problem with the PreOuts.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. As neat as I keep my wiring, I’m still not looking forward to having to take it out for service. That, and I don’t wanna lose the use of my DVD, CD, Xbox while it’s out for service.

As much as I love my Denon equipment, the troubleshooting section of their manuals leave A LOT to be desired.

Thanks in advance!
Chris

 

[markw]

Just to be sure, is it possible to try the sub with another receiver?

ya never know...

 

[j_garcia]

Sounds like the receiver to me. Sub pre-out died. Doesn't mean it will affect the other speaker's preamp outputs. I would suspect the sub also though.

You've verified that your sub still works? Just because it turns on, doesn't mean it is working, it just means it is receiving signal. Try feeding it a full range signal from your main pre-outs since you know they work. It's internal x-over will protect it and keep your volume down, obviously, but you only need to quickly verify if it is working.

 

[cpb_70]

Thanks for your replies guys…

markw – no, I have not tried the same sub with a different receiver, but I do have the ability to do so. I’ve got my old Pioneer in the basement. That will be tops on my to-do list this evening

j_garcia – I haven’t directly confirmed that my sub works. My knee jerk reaction was the sub must’ve gone out. So I went out and got an identical sub with the same results. Or lack thereof I should say. I returned it when there was no change. You wouldn’t happen to know how pricey a repair we’re talking about here, do ya? If it turns out it’s a dead Pre-Out?

I will try both of your suggestions this evening after work. Thanks again.

 

[markw]

After this post, I'd say it's not the sub

j_garcia – I haven’t directly confirmed that my sub works. My knee jerk reaction was the sub must’ve gone out. So I went out and got an identical sub with the same results. Or lack thereof I should say.

Well, you've tried another sub with the receiver and since it also didn't work, odds are it's NOT the sub.

 

[cpb_70]

That was my thinking too. But I’ll try it anyway. It’s a small price to pay to avoid the hassle of yanking everything out... or maybe gently removing everything is a better way to put it, taking it in for service, then finding out it’s not the receiver.

Thanks again!

 

[jcPanny]

Subwoofer inputs

It looks like your sub has speaker level inputs and outputs. Connect the main speaker level outputs to the sub speaker level inputs. If your mains can accept the full range signal, then you can set the mains to Large and run the sub in that configuration until it is time to upgrade the receiver.

 

[Nick250]

The sub pre-out died on my Onkyo 595 a few months back. At first I thought great!, I get to buy a new receiver (toy factor). But as I thought it through I decided to just run the fronts through the sub and not blow the money on a new receiver. My system sounds as good as it every did hooked up this way.

 

[cpb_70]

I dug out an old JBL powered sub last night and hooked it up to my Denon AVR2803 and it worked fine. Still no output with the Infinity… So I took both my old JBL and my Infinity Beta SW12 downstairs to my extra receiver, the JBL worked there, the Infinity did not work there either. I went out last night and bought yet another Infinity Beta sub (3rd one). This time it was the CSW10. the Infinity Beta line seemingly is being discontinued, as they are getting harder and harder to find in my area… anyway, the CSW10 worked on both receivers. I went out and got this one last night cuz I was hard pressed to believe that MY Infinity SW12 crapped out AND the second one I bought was no good also. As astronomical as those odds are, it appears to be the case. Mine went out, the one I got to replace it was no good too. This sounds silly… BUT… I went out and bought the 3rd one last night just to confirm that there weren’t any compatibility issues between my Denon AVR and the Beta subs… I didn’t realistically think there would be, but I had to confirm that a Beta sub would work with my AVR 2803. I just couldn’t believe that I had 2 broken subs.

Sooooo…. I’ll most likely be returning the CSW10 I bought last night, using my JBL as a fill in, and sending my SW12 out for service. I might try running my fronts thru my sub like a couple of you recommended, depending on how pricey the sub fix gets. I am using an external amp for my fronts though… if I do this, I can’t use that amp, correct? At least not for the fronts while they’re hooked up that way.

I do feel bad for the poor sap that buys that broken SW12 that I returned… as far as I can tell it’s the last NEW one in my area.

thanks for all your help fellas!!

 

[Nick250]

I might try running my fronts thru my sub like a couple of you recommended, depending on how pricey the sub fix gets. I am using an external amp for my fronts though… if I do this, I can’t use that amp, correct? At least not for the fronts while they’re hooked up that way.

Unless I am missing something, it seems to me you could continue to use you amp with no problems. It would go like this:

receiver pre outs => external amp => sub => speakers.

Be sure to have you mains set to "large" and sub set to "no" or "none".

 

[cpb_70]

Gotcha… that would work. I’m no electrical engineer or anything, so I’m not sure if you wiser folk will laugh at this or not… but if the sub isn’t working through the PreOut using the RCA style connectors, is it possible it will work wired as you describe?

 

[Nick250]

Gotcha… that would work. I’m no electrical engineer or anything, so I’m not sure if you wiser folk will laugh at this or not… but if the sub isn’t working through the PreOut using the RCA style connectors, is it possible it will work wired as you describe?

As long as the sub is functioning properly it will work just fine. The speaker connections on the back of your sub are there to do this very thing.