Surround Receiver Bricked

Roger Wilco

Diamond Member
Mar 20, 2017
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So my in-laws bought me a cheap surround system a few years back, and it appears something within the receiver has fried—it can no longer communicate with any devices and is behaving super erratically; it also sounds like it may self-destruct at times. It's out of warranty, and most of the reviews have stated these issues are common and that this isn't exactly a great receiver:


Does anybody have any suggestions on where to get a decent cheap surround receiver, or what brands/models are better? I really don't need anything fancy because I'm just hooking it up to my PS4. I don't need a blu ray player, blutooth, or anything like that. I just need something to output surround sound from the PS4 to the speakers (which hopefully and probably are still fine).
 

Roger Wilco

Diamond Member
Mar 20, 2017
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Thanks. I'm considering the Onkyo TRX-393. It seems to have all of the features I want.

The subwoofer I currently have is a small unpowered one that uses a speaker wire connection. If I get a subwoofer to speaker wire converter, will that work OK with this receiver? I will likely buy a powered subwoofer at a later point, but I'm not ready to drop the cash for that yet.
 

Muadib

Lifer
May 30, 2000
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Thanks. I'm considering the Onkyo TRX-393. It seems to have all of the features I want.

The subwoofer I currently have is a small unpowered one that uses a speaker wire connection. If I get a subwoofer to speaker wire converter, will that work OK with this receiver? I will likely buy a powered subwoofer at a later point, but I'm not ready to drop the cash for that yet.

No I’m afraid that won’t work. I haven’t seen info on the TRX-393, but I’m sure it won’t have power for a sub.
 

fralexandr

Platinum Member
Apr 26, 2007
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Hmm, bummer. Well I suppose I need to factor in the cost of a new subwoofer as well.

I've no experience with amping a sub, but maybe you could just buy a subwoofer amp and hook it up between the receiver and the subwoofer? Though new subs that would probably outperform the samsung one can be had for <$100 so an amp might not be worth it.
note: It's probably greatly exaggerating the wattage, but the samsung htj5500w receiver claims 165-170W output @ 3Ω per speaker and for the sub...

$42

$25 w/o power supply (12-24V 4A+) (their suggested power brick is $16.50)

$36+ 7 shipping. (comes with a 12v 3A power brick, so 36W stock output) 2.1 amp so you could use it for your computer or something else later! hah

-----
some budget subwoofers
note: Based on the 10"x12"x10" dimensions on the samsung, I'm going to guess it's an 8" subwoofer (driver/woofer size).

jamo sub 210 8" $89

monoprice's normal 8", 10", and 12" budget subs are out of stock ($65-100) link for reference
but they have a slim 8" low profile subwoofer for $113

polk psw10 $129

and some partsexpress subs sorted by lowest price
 
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Roger Wilco

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Mar 20, 2017
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I've no experience with amping a sub, but maybe you could just buy a subwoofer amp and hook it up between the receiver and the subwoofer? Though new subs that would probably outperform the samsung one can be had for <$100 so an amp might not be worth it.
note: It's probably greatly exaggerating the wattage, but the samsung htj5500w receiver claims 165-170W output @ 3Ω per speaker and for the sub...

$42

$25 w/o power supply (12-24V 4A+) (their suggested power brick is $16.50)

$36+ 7 shipping. (comes with a 12v 3A power brick, so 36W stock output) 2.1 amp so you could use it for your computer or something else later! hah

-----
some budget subwoofers
note: Based on the 10"x12"x10" dimensions on the samsung, I'm going to guess it's an 8" subwoofer (driver/woofer size).

jamo sub 210 8" $89

monoprice's normal 8", 10", and 12" budget subs are out of stock ($65-100) link for reference
but they have a slim 8" low profile subwoofer for $113

polk psw10 $129

and some partsexpress subs sorted by lowest price

This is all good to know. Thank you for your help. I may just bite the bullet and buy one of those subwoofers.

You could always check Circuit City.....

They don't have a physical location anywhere near me (out in the sticks), but I'll check and see if they have anything that can be delivered.
 

Roger Wilco

Diamond Member
Mar 20, 2017
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So I ended up ordering a Sony STR-DH790 with a new 10" subwoofer.

Everything is working correctly, but I noticed that the power transformer was loose and would bang against the enclosure when I was installing the receiver.

I this normal for a receiver, or is this likely damage caused by shipping?
 

Muadib

Lifer
May 30, 2000
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838
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So I ended up ordering a Sony STR-DH790 with a new 10" subwoofer.

Everything is working correctly, but I noticed that the power transformer was loose and would bang against the enclosure when I was installing the receiver.

I this normal for a receiver, or is this likely damage caused by shipping?
Inside the receiver? If so, that's not normal at all, and you should return it.
 
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funboy6942

Lifer
Nov 13, 2001
15,295
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as far as hooking up ur sub, and not knowing what it is or its inputs, you can always run a wire from front right, or left to it till you can get another sub, and I highly recommend a BIC sub off Amazon, best bang for buck, IMO of course.