So I sent it to a local Yamaha service center ($148 to look at it). They came back today and said the HDMI board is bad. Ordering another HDMI board is $550 plus installation brings me to about $750 to fix this receiver and if you add the $150 already spent: $900.
So do I spend more than what it's probably worth to fix or just go ahead and bite the bullet on buying a new receiver?
This is my current setup: 7.1.2 setup in the media room plus Zone 2 for two Klipsch patio speakers. There are low plans in the future to replace the front bookshelf speakers with better tower speakers and possibly bi-amping but that's at the back of a very long list. Not sure... Not critical as I am more than happy with what I got.
That is a quandary. That is a only a five year old model. So it is not quite half way through its expected life span.
However, I think $900 is too much to spend on it, but that is up to you.
The larger issue I have is whether the tech is competent. It seems an odd coincidence that the unit failed during a firmware update. I still have a feeling the update was interrupted due to a momentary drop out on the Internet connection.
I would ascertain if they re-flashed the BIOS, and reloaded the firmware. If the software did not load right, then the HDMI board will be down.
If it were me I would ascertain if they re-flashed the BIOS and reloaded the firmware.
My gut tells me that more likely than not there is incompetence afoot here.
By the way passive bi-amping is a complete waste of time and money.
If you do decide to ditch that receiver, then a much better bet is to get an AVP and external amps. I personally really dislike the whole concept of receivers.
