Newbie question regarding Pioneer receiver problem...

[MobilGt1]

I have been having issues with my Pioneer receiver for a few months, and I have finally resorted to finding help via an online forum. I know virtually nothing regarding the technical aspects of home audio/video and I am in need of some troubleshooting help.

My Pioneer receiver has been having issues. It is a fairly new unit purchased about 3 years ago. I have a basic Yamaha 5 speaker home theater system (w/ sub) purchased prior to the receiver. The display on the receiver shows "AMP ERR" and promptly shuts off for a minute. Once a minute passes it is able to be turned back on, and most of the time immediately shuts off again.

The only thing I can think is that the tuner is being overworked and is programmed to shut off to avoid damage. I have run new heavy gauge wiring to all the speakers and that has not solved the issue.

My theory is that the issue is with the speakers, rather than the receiver itself. The speakers are rated at 4 ohms and the receiver is rated at 6 ohms. Could the fact that the speakers have a lower ohms rating than the receiver have anything to do with my issue? I believe this rating is called impedence, but I have no idea if a higher rating is better or what it means. Is my only option to replace the speakers with a higher rating? I looked at a local retailer & all the home theater systems are now at least 6 ohms if not 8 ohms. Are my speakers outdated and not up to the current standards in the market?

I know I haven't provided all the details (model #'s, etc....) that might be required in properly diagnosing this issue, but any help & information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tlqualman]

Most recievers will not drive a 4 ohm load and are not rated to do so. Your 4 ohm speakers will requirt more current then you reciever will provide and so it shuts off to prevent damage to itself. If you want to keep your speakers you will have to find amplification that is rated for a 4 ohm load. Otherwise you have a good excuse to buy some new speakers.

 

[MichaelJHuman]

Since when does Yamaha sell 4ohm speakers in a bundled HT package (I am assuming you bought these as a package)? What's the model number of that package?

 

[Nick250]

My Pioneer receiver has been having issues. It is a fairly new unit purchased about 3 years ago. I have a basic Yamaha 5 speaker home theater system (w/ sub) purchased prior to the receiver. The display on the receiver shows "AMP ERR" and promptly shuts off for a minute. Once a minute passes it is able to be turned back on, and most of the time immediately shuts off again.

The only thing I can think is that the tuner is being overworked and is programmed to shut off to avoid damage. I have run new heavy gauge wiring to all the speakers and that has not solved the issue.
I know I haven't provided all the details (model #'s, etc....) that might be required in properly diagnosing this issue, but any help & information would be greatly appreciated.

Does the shut down happen when you first turn it on, or is after it has been running for a while? Has The Pioneer been working fine up until now or has this been been happening from day one.

Find or download the manual and read the trouble shooting section.

Nick

 

[MDS]

As said before most receivers are not designed to handle 4 Ohm loads; however it should not shut off immediately. If you were to turn the volume way up and leave it there for awhile, then it would shut off but not at low volumes or when you first turn it on.

I would check for shorts in the speaker wires. Make sure there are no strands of wire touching each other or any metal part of the receiver. A stray strand of wire touching the chassis would cause it to shut off immediately.

 

[MobilGt1]

It does not turn off immediately. It is not hooked up now (due to the problem), but it will work for a while. That could mean anything from 2 weeks to 4 hours. When it does finally shut off, it usually needs to sit for a few hours (at least) before it will operate for anything more than a few minutes.

I originally thought it was the wires, and I have re-wired the system countless times. I am confident there are no issues with the wires. I have downloaded the user manual, and it does not provide anything specific help. It details how to reset the unit to factory settings, but nothing more.

The speakers did come in a package. I do not have access to the model number at present, but I post it as soon as possible.

When I was at Best Buy yesterday I did not see any 4 ohm home theater systems available. I guess they are not common place, but does that make them an obvious choice for replacement? Can anyone explain the advantages to a 4 ohm system, because am I cursing the day those speakers entered my life!!!

 

[TinleyJake]

You may want to do a search on the AVS forum on Pioneer and Pioneer Elite receivers. I remember seeing a post about certain Pioneer receivers from 3-4 years ago having this problem, something in the power supply. I believe it was an older post where this problem would show up right from the start not years later, but I thought it might be worth mentioning and might be worth a look.