Receiver Quality Control - Reliabilty

[lsiberian]

Newbie to forum but not to the hobby. Please don't automatically discount my post(s) for having only now discovered this fine forum.
Just a quick one of my first impression of 'stepping down' to surround sound(from 2-Channel Seperates). While shopping my local Electronics Superstore for a couple of new Blu-Rays, I went to the Audio/Video dept. To see what was new in affordable avr receivers. While surrounded by blue and yellow, I was pleasantly surprised to find the Denon AVR-590 for $333.00. I was impressed with it's heft, HD Audio support and binding posts for all channels. I took it home to give it a try. Wow. Not an easy setup, and I am used to setting up systems. My own and all of my friends'. Even at the low price point, the onscreen menu was laughable. It reminds me of pong! I used the supplied mic. for the Audyssey Auto Setup which did a fine job sizing and spacing my speakers and recognizing the lack of a subwoofer, but having full range front speakers and distributing the LFE channel to the fronts(I think). First movie, Iron Man(blu Ray), things were going well, sounding good, looking good until the first 'dynamic' scene when things got a bit loud and the Denon shut down. I was surprised, as my old stereo amp was rated at 100wpc(high current, though). Waiting a nervous ten minutes, I turned everything back on an all was fine. I do have to thank the Denon for likely saving my speakers which were obviously asking for more than it could give and could have been damaged as I was reaching for the remote. The sad thing is that I had previously listenen much louder with my old amp without the slightest problem ever. No, I did not expect miracles from a 75wpc, $300 receiver, but I did expect more than I got.
Yes, I did break the receiver in.
Unfortunately, I cannot afford surround sound seperates, so I will end up compromising no matter what I do. I don't know if a sub would help by taking the LFE away from the amp, but I was trying to avoid one.
I DO believe the Denon will work for most people in most circumstances and may end up working for me. But, I will miss my Adcom untill I find some speakers and a spot to listen.

Cheers,
Lar

It seems you either have a short or a serious desire for volume.

I do suggest a subwoofer, but the reality is that the hardest area to drive is actually from 100hz to 400hz within the receivers range. It's possible that your ohm load is too low for your receiver. I suggest you look into a pro-level amp. QSC's are commonly used by bands and clubs so they are available used for good deals. 1 of those will do fine driving your speakers.

 

[MatthewB.]

Having been in this hooby for many many years and having installed well over 100 home theater systems for clients family and friends, I feel I can setup the best (and worst of systems). I have three HT systems in my home and the only problem with the three was with my Onkyo 805 which shut down due to bad solder joint (the tech at Onkyo verfified that they have had far too many issues with the 805 all due to bad solder joints.

In fact when I first called CS at Onkyo the first thing the tech said before I even got a word in was, "let me guess your having an issue with your 705 or 805 reciever" and sure enough having spent almost 70.00 to ship it to Colorado, it was indeed a bad solder joint. Companies can no longer use lead in solder and so this issue comes up fairly often.

I have never had an issue with my two Denons (4802 and 3808) but have had many issues with the Pioneers over the years.

 

[Laradigm]

"I have never had an issue with my two Denons (4802 and 3808) but have had many issues with the Pioneers over the years."

An adequately sized sample group. Not.

In my post, I was giving the Denon the benefit of a doubt, blaming not the receiver's quality, but just that I was asking too much of it. It was worth a try for the price.

I have been listening to music exclusively, now(in two channel) and will shortly slip my Adcom units back in place and find out if what I believe I am missing is indeed true.

At that point I will have to make the tough decision to keep an exceptional two channel system, that, while long in the tooth, is still a pleasure to sit down to. Or, settle for inferior stereo music listening to get Surround Sound when watching movies or video games.

Wish I had room for both. Better yet, the cash for an Anthem Pre/Pro and 5 Channel Amp and a room full of brand new Paradigms.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Building care and quality control are two of the most important things in audio.

He, who try to save money by omitting these two very primordial points,
will crash by the seaside, and wil loose all of his passengers and their business.

Example of good companies: Bryston, Anthem, Paradigm, Lexicon, EMMLabs, Conrad Johnson, McHintosh, Sonic Frontier, Pass Labs, Classe, Krell, etc.