My Amp has stopped outputting any signal

Raymond Lin

Raymond Lin

Raymond Lin

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Wish i was in a Ramen Shop Counter
The amp is a Pioneer VSX-2021/LX-55. It has 2 HDMI outputs


I've tried different HDMI cables.
I've tried different HDMI cables in both HDMI outputs.
The HDMI input in the TV works, i have plugged Sky directly into it.
The amp auto switches to Bluray when I turn the player on, so it sense the input.
The amp also can't output any sound (as well as passing any picture signal to the TV) from optical from the iMac that is also plugged in.

The TV is simply not sensing any signal from the amp, not detecting 1080p input etc info displayed in the corner when it normally works.

Anyone have any ideas? Is there a "reset" button?
 
First thoughts.... Pure Audio mode. Scares the dickens out of you the first time it's accidentally activated.
 
Okay, this is what it comes down to.

Amp is out of warranty.

The store I got it from is closed down (Sevenoaks in Worcester).
The Pioneer authorised repair centre is in Oxford, they are open Monday to Friday 9-5.
I've called Pioneer and Pioneer themselves won't take responsibility in replacing the amp because it is out of 12 months warranty, and even though Sales of Goods Act is 6 years, that's between me and the retailer…see my problem?

What it comes down to is do I risk sending it to the repair centre.
Drive down there?
Then pick it up myself as they do not do postage returns, at all.

The cost would be around £50 petrol per trip, there is a £48 inspection charge, which will be deducted from the final bill should I got through with the repair.

Turnaround time is 5-7 days but being Christmas it'll be into the New Year. It would be longer if they have to order parts from Japan.

So basically if I am to take it down there, it is £50 petrol, £48 inspection, £50 petrol to pick it up.

£150 just to get it checked.

If I have it fixed, it would be £100 + parts and labour + 1 lost day of holiday as I need to take a day off to pick it up.

The minimum bill is £150, potential bill of the repair could be easily £100+ so I would think (minus £48), it would cost £200+. If it is the HDMI board as I suspect, that part is £300.

Cheltenham Sevenoaks is prepared to act as a drop off point if I want to drop the amp off there….but I would still need to go to Oxford to pick it up.

I think I am looking at £200 easy, with a potential to be £500 easy and won't get it repaired until middle or late January.
 
If this was an old Onkyo then I'd say have a look at the capacitors on the HDMI board. Perhaps Pioneer is starting to have the same issue?

Quite where you stand with Sevenoaks and the Sale of Goods Act probably depends on whether the branch was owned or a franchise. Check your receipt. Does it say something along the lines of "XYZ business trading as Sevenoaks SAV" or is it just top and tailed "Sevenoaks Sound and Vision". If the latter, then you could go to head office and quite legitimately say you weren't made aware it was a franchise. You thought you were buying from a big retail chain. Had you known it was a franchise then you'd have bought elsewhere. So as it stands you consider the contract of sale is still in force with Seveoaks SAV.

Also have a chat with your credit card company.They may also be able to help.
 
Pop to richer sounds and get yourself a new yamaha 675 they are on offer for 400 quid at the moment
 
I am going to take the top of the unit off tonight and have a look to see if there are any burnt marks on the PCB.

It certainly isn't a fuse since the LCD comes on as normal.

I have also send an email to Sevenoaks seeking a satisfactory resolution.

Re credit card, I think I paid with my VISA Debit.

In terms of a new amp…I been looking at the Sony DN1040.

Although the Sony has 8 HDMI in, 4K pass though, it does feel like a step back as the Pioneer is a THX Ultra certified amp, it does all sorts of DTS decoding with Pre-outs.
 
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It's a shame you're having trouble, the 2011 is meant to be a legendary amp so replacing it new for old might be costly! It's annoying that you're not able to get any signal at all, as I'd suggest re-routing cables temporarily to use analog.

Hope you can get it sorted.
 
It's the 2021, the new 2023 isn't actually as well specced !!!

The model after it the 2022 didn't have THX certification nor 2 HDMI out. I need to get the LX56 or LX57 to get an equvaliant spec amp now from Pioneer.

As for rerouting cables, that doesn't work either as I get nothing from my CD player which is connected via analogue !

It means there are a LOT of things out of action at the moment.

My speakers, my sub, Bluray Roku, ATV, Sky, Xbox and my iMac.

I have plugged the Sky and Xbox directly into the TV, iMac using its own built in speakers so if I need to use something else I need to swap cables.

I have a Musical Fidelity amp but the problem is a lot of these devices are mainly HDMI so I would need a lot of cables to wire up the old route.

:(
 
Could still be a fuse no? Most amps I've opened up have more than one fuse, so the one that relates to the screen might be intact whilst another one has gone. Worth checking anyway.

As you say, get the cover off and visually inspect (carefully, as some of these caps can pack a hell of a punch as you probably know!).
 
sHo0sH said:
Get a new one - from JOHN LEWIS ?

:)
Click to expand...

They don't do that sort of stuff anymore.

For that sort of repair price, I'd rather drive to my local RS & buy a new one with one of their warranties (10% of the price & a refund if not used at expiry, though you only have a month after expiry to claim the refund)
 
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