Tag Archives: Audio repair

HDMI Stereo troubleshooting tips

  • It seems a number of people are experiencing problems with the HDMI in the new A/V receivers.
  • If you have experienced any of these issues you may have a bad HDMI board in A/V receiver.

Audio & Vintage Stereo Receiver Repair MN USA

HDMI Stereo troubleshooting tips

What HDMI cable do I need? Obviously not every everyone need 2.0 HDMI cable and 1.4  may work ok. There were numerous changes was made to support for higher frame higher resolution wide aspect ratio and more. Hdmi cable problems symptoms

  • If works ok it-is most likely the HDMI board bad in your receiver.
  • Connect HDMI cable directly to TV bypassing the audio receiver and see if it works.
  • Best Choice use most current version of HDMI cable first install most current version of HDMI cable 2.0 compliant and see if help.
  • What are the key advanced features enabled by HDMI 2.0b?
    • Enables transmission of High Dynamic Range (HDR) video
    • Bandwidth up to 18Gbps
    • 4K@50/60 (2160p), which is 4 times the clarity of 1080p/60 video resolution
    • Up to 32 audio channels for a multi-dimensional immersive audio experience
    • Up to 1536kHz audio sample frequency for the highest audio fidelity
    • Simultaneous delivery of dual video streams to multiple users on the same screen
    • Simultaneous delivery of multi-stream audio to multiple users (Up to 4)
    • Support for the wide angle theatrical 21:9 video aspect ratio
    • Dynamic synchronization of video and audio streams
    • CEC extensions provide more expanded command and control of consumer electronics devices through a single control point

    Reed More about HDMI Cable  

  • Home stereo troubleshooting tips

  • Stereo troubleshootingIf you have lights on your vintage receiver but no sound check Tape Monitor switch.
  • If you are using Master Remote for your Home Theater be sure all units are off before you turn it on.
  • Verify if Receiver is on right input for audio and video.
  • Verify if Receiver/Amplifier is set on right speakers output and use correct speaker and wires see below.
  • Turn off your receiver or amplifier before inspecting speaker connections.
  • Be sure to check speaker wires on receiver and speakers look for damage or loose connections and whiskers.
  • Make sure that the insulation is adequately stripped on both ends of the wires and they are not touching each other and not damage receiver.
  • Speaker wire lengths for two conductor copper wire.
  • Wire size                4 Ω load           8 Ω load
  • 22 AWG                     6 ft                  12 ft
  • 20 AWG                   10 ft                   20 ft
  • 18 AWG                   16 ft                   32 ft
  • 16 AWG                   24 ft                   48 ft
  • 14 AWG                   40 ft                   80 ft
  • 12 AWG                   60 ft                 120 ft
  • 10 AWG                 100 ft                 200 ft

Remember if you using 8 ohm speakers in A and B then it will be 4 ohm. A speaker wire resistance must be less than 5% of the speaker impedance not to have negative effect.

Read more about speaker wire

Bad speaker wires can damage your receiver

  • Speaker wires may be the most common culprit to damaged speakers, receivers and amps. 
  •  Consumers were convinced they need 10AWG -12AWG monster speaker wires to get good sound.
  • If the wire is not trimmed properly and has whiskers it can short output transistors.
  • Obviously it-is important to know how distance and resistance affect gauge of speaker wires. (Read beloSpeaker wires-4w).
  • You shuld know the length of speaker wires directly affect the gauge of the wires the lower the resistance the better the results.
  • Most importantly it is not the gauge or type of speaker wire you use but how well it is connected.

    Stereo Repair USA

  •  If I open a receiver and inspect wire connections from the speaker protection relay to the back speaker connectors in most cases you find it is only 28 to 24 gauge wires on 100W per channel amp.
  • So if your speaker is located 10 feet from receiver or amp you don’t need 12 gauge wires. 16 gauge wires will be more than enough.

    Onkyo TX-SV7M
    The Onkyo Onkyo TX-SV7M receiver retailed for $1,000, and that was a lot of money 25 years ago!
  • The biggest problem with large gauge wire is you can’t fit to the connectors on receiver or speakers wires touch each other and it not possible to make good connections.
  • It is very important wires fit the opening on t
    Onkyo TX-SV7M
    Onkyo TX-SV7M Power output was specified at 90 watts per channel for the front left and right channels and have 28 to 24 gauge internal speaker connection wires.

    he receiver speaker connectors and make a good strong connection without touching each other. 5 Myths About Speaker Wire 

Speaker wires solution and help

  • Rule number one turn off your receiver when you are inspecting your wires or you could damage your receiver.
  • Therefore inspect your speaker wires and see if they are looking good, no whiskers and if they are securely connected on receiver and on the speaker connectors.
  • Then again trim wire and twist them tightly and carefully install back and secure connector tightly.
  • Obviously if you need help,  we will trim end connections with solder and color code them with shrinking tube material.
  • The most important preventive measure to ensure no damage to the receiver and have quality sound is very good speaker wire connections.
  • Of course good connections will get the best sound from inexpensive speaker wires and also bad results from expensive wires which could damage your equipment.
  • To sum up I am not telling you what speaker wire to use.
  • Obviously you have to understand how important to have clean and solid connections or you will damage your equipment.

Read more about speaker wires audiophile tests

 http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#reviewdares

Maximum Speaker wire lengths for two conductor copper wires.

  • Wire size                4 Ω load           8 Ω load
  • 22 AWG                      6 ft                   12 ft
  • 20 AWG                   10 ft                   20 ft
  • 18 AWG                   16 ft                   32 ft
  • 16 AWG                   24 ft                   48 ft
  • 14 AWG                   40 ft                   80 ft
  • 12 AWG                   60 ft                 120 ft
  • 10 AWG                 100 ft                 200 ft