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What to Do When Gadgets Die

080608_sz_pioneerdead.jpg For years I've had this massive Pioneer receiver to pump movies and iTunes from. Yesterday, while watching a download of the Daily Show, the receiver kept shutting off randomly. Today, while blasting 50 Cent's "Ayo Technology" it kept shutting off again -- ayo!! I can't quite figure out what's wrong. It's not overheated. I've tried several outlets around the house and it still shuts off. Anyone have any suggestions?

If I can't solve this at home I'm going to have to take this monster to the repair shop, which leads me to my next question. I didn't buy this bad boy at a major retailer so I don't have an extended warranty through a Best Buy or Circuit City. Where do you take these things when they need to be repaired? We live at a time when mom and pop electronic repair shops are hard to come by...

 
 

Pioneer's site offers a list of Pioneer authorized service centers, but how do you know which one to go to? Do you just pick the one that's closest to you?

On a lighter note, without a receiver to stream my iTunes to I've taken my Harmon/Kardon iPod boombox out. I had totally forgotten just how good this thing is. This baby's got bass! If I didn't want more boom coming out of my TV for movies I would just scrap the receiver and listen to this thing. 080608_sz_harmonkardon.jpg At least until I figure out what's wrong with my receiver I can continue listening to Justin Timberlake. Phew! Crisis slightly averted.

Tags

home theater, turntables, cd & digital music players, Harmon/Kardon, Pioneer, repair shop

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Comments (4)

I have had this problem with a few recievers. Usually it is going into 'protected' mode and thinks that the speakers are mis-connected. I would re-sit all the connections and see if that does the trick. Other than that, I don't know where you would get it fixed.

posted by thaddius on 2008-08-06 14:28:34
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thaddius,
Thanks! I'm going to try that tonight and let you know what happens. Maybe all my mucking around while testing sound bars messed things up.

posted by lil' soso on 2008-08-06 14:57:40
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I've had this problem too. I ended up taking the receiver to a local electronics shop. They were able to fix it in a day or two. The problem was that a fuse or connection inside the speaker connectors was arcing and causing the unit to "trip".

The great thing about it all, was they fixed it for $30! works like new.

posted by jpriley75 on 2008-08-06 15:32:12
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Is there anything that you did differently that day? new connections? changed cables? that means it's time for an upgrade! :). It's hard to find a local electronics repair shop for specific electronics like a receiver nowadays.

Sounds like it could be the power supply. I'd call Pioneer if i were you.

posted by cscamp20 on 2008-08-07 00:59:26
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