Yamaha HTR-5490 Pitch or fix? and more

[JusticeQuest]

I've done a lot of research on the HT display end, but am just starting on the audio part. I have a major question that needs to be answered before I can continue researching HT audio options:

Should I pay $175 to fix my HTR-5490 to use for the long haul, or save the money to buy a newer, nicer, better receiver? I bought it in 2000 at about $800 (I think) from BB. I've been out of the A/V market for so long, I don't know what's new out there, and what the prices are for something similar.

I have a 50" Pioneer Plasma with HDMI, and using HD-DVR to watch DVDs and HDTV DD broadcasts. Currently using a non-DD/DTS Mits M-VR400 to get us by. I've got Polk Ceramic RM5300 speakers that work (2 bookshelf, 2 satellite, 1 center), but the PSW50 sub is blown, so probably will possibly have to get new speakers? and sub as well.

Any opinions in helping me get started in answering this question would be greatly appreciated!

 

[GlocksRock]

Save up for a newer receiver with more features and newer technology.

 

[Nomo]

Pitch it. You can practically but a comparable or better unit online for that kind of cash. What would you need to have done for 175 bucks anyway?

 

[Mobius]

Pitch it.

I have no idea of what your budget is on speakers/sub but if it is about $1000 here is a a great deal http://www.av123.com/specials.php#point5. SVS has also put together a nice little package http://www.svsubwoofers.com/news.htm.

 

[JusticeQuest]

Thanks for the fast replies! Such nice people...long

I don't know the diagnosis, only the symptoms. The unit comes on for maybe a second, then turns back off. If I give the back of a unit a hard knock, I can get it stay on for the duration of my session, and sometimes it will come back on even the next day. So it makes me think it's something internally. I did open it up, and it is pretty dirty inside, so I'll blow it out and see if that does anything, but that would be too easy, wouldn't it.

I work a lot with PCs, but these surround boards are something else - with all the layers. The Yamaha servicer in Maryland said it would be $50/diagnosis, and guessing that the board has a loose solder, it will be about $125-$175 labor. That's without a new board any other parts.

I know this receiver was good back in the day, but wasn't sure if I need the newer technology - especially with DVI/HDMI.

As far as speakers, we have a smallish room where a 42" Plasma would almost work better, but it was a toss-up. And my husband doesn't want obtrusive speakers since the room is so small, and this house is a temporary resting space, as we'll probably be moving again in little over 2 years. Hubs is (hopefully WAS) looking at a Bose 2.1 system (3-2-1) that I've been trying to talk him out of, but we both agree that smaller sats would be a good size for that room. Then when we move again, we can see what speakers we need. He doesn't want to wire up rears, since this is short term, and is why we're looking at 2.1, or maybe just 2 towers/bookshelf's without the sub? Not sure if that would give us enough bass sound as we do like to watch DVDs and movies. And need to make sure we get a receiver that doesn't require all the speakers to be hooked up. I've seen there are a few, but I haven't researched it wholly yet.

He thinks we need to get rid of the Polk speakers, and I agree, as I don't think they were very good to begin with, unless anyone else knows anything about them, and thinks they'd be good for now. (I didn't do as much research on these things as I do now.)

Any help is greatly appreciated, and I normally always do my research before asking, but time was of the essence here since hubs has been hounding me about getting the Bose. Need to have an alternative to sell him.