Help! intermittent loss of sound; TX-88 Onkyo

[ionita]

Hi there,

So i got this Onkyo receiver TX-88 along some other components about one month ago and everything was ok until i noticed that intermittently, the receiver losses the right speaker output; Funny enough, if i increase the volume the problem goes away in a sec (the sound comes back); if not, it goes away in 20-45 sec; Other than that, the tx-88 is better (in my non-expert opinion) than my other sony str da-7es receiver;
Any ideas about what may cause this?

Thanks,

ionita

 

[davo]

Intermitent problems are hard to deal with because it usually never occures when a technician is looking at it.

If I understand your post correctly, if you do nothing the sound comes back by itself in 25-40 seconds?

Do the simplest and cheapest option first, which is double check all connections, including all connections on the source.

Next, keep a log on date, time, and the source when it occurs. This will help determine the path the problem occurs along e.g. antenna-DVD recorder-receiver, or playstation-receiver, or radio etc.

If you haven't tracked down an obvious problem, at least the log gives your problem more weight to the techy when you return it.

I hope this helps a bit.

P.S. If the warranty is about to run out, disregard all of the above and take it back asap!!

 

[Adam]

If I looked up the model correctly, that thing is about 20 years old, so I'm guessing the warranty is over.

I have a TX-830 that is about the same vintage. I haven't used it in about 10 years, but I had an issue that when I first turned it on, I had to crank the volume up for a second to get the one of the speakers to work (can't remember which side). I never researched too much what the issue was.

Unless you have a sentimenal attachment to it, it would be better to buy a new unit than take this to a tech. Perhaps someone on this forum will have a good, cheap fix for you to try.

 

[Hi Ho]

I have a TX-88 and the amp cuts out completely unless I have the volume at the 70% point.

I discovered that one of the two large capacitors is blown. I am going to try replacing it and see if it fixes it.

Take the bottom panel off. It you see any spots on the panel right below the capacitors then you probably have a blown capacitor.

 

[ionita]

TX-88 sound problem

Thank you everyone for the info; The problem is there regardless of the source: tape/cd/tuner; It never appeared when the volume was at/above setting 5 (it goes from 0 to 40); which is rather loud (when the audio muting is “on” the problem appear above 6-7).
receiver-wise i do have an attachment for the tx-88 as i used to own one many many years ago; well, if I have to dispose of it (which I hate) I will do it; I do hope that Hi Ho will find a capacitor for his tx-88 and then maybe share the source (hint ;-)
Worst-case scenario: I have to part with my tx and purchase another receiver: would a hk 3480 be a suitable receiver? I just listen to tapes/cd/radio using my boston cr 85 speakers; nothing fancy; So a just stereo receiver is all i need. The best replacement would be another tx-88 (working one) but there is a very slim chance for finding one.

Thank you again,

ionita

 

[davidtwotrees]

ionita. There is one on ebay for $220 shipped. It looks mint. It looks like it was an awesome receiver back in the day. I have owned some of the vintage Integra line and it was nice stuff. (Integra 450 tuner, and the M504 amp)

I bet they come up on ebay all the time...........

 

[ionita]

I was wondering if it is worth sticking with the tx-88; I am thinking that those capacitors may not last forever (dont they die when they dry up?); So i noticed on ebay someone selling the hk 3480 for $250 and i read some nice reviews about it but i dont know if it is as good as the tx-88; Because if they are more or less the same then maybe i should go with the 3480;
I hate when i have to buy stuff;

ionita