Pioneer Elite 92 sudden shutdown

[rogman]

I'm having a problem with my Elite 92 shutting down when played at high volumes. I was playing music with the volume at +4 a few days ago (way too loud, but I was outside in the pool and the system is in the basement). It shut down so I figured I pushed it too hard. Yesterday it was shutting down with the volume at -8 and even at -10. That's a bit loud, but not unreasonable. I've frequently used if for music at those levels in the past. I don't have problems with movies which we typically watch at -18 thru -22.

Has anyone had this happen? Is there a solution? Or does the receiver need repair? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[kingofgrills]

Was there a warning message on the receiver display, or did it shut down completely? What is the Ohm rating on your speakers? It sounds like you just pushed your receiver too hard and something gave way.

Do your speakers sound normal at reasonable listening levels? You might consider installing outside speakers as an option for pool side use.

[rogman]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

Was there a warning message on the receiver display, or did it shut down completely? What is the Ohm rating on your speakers? It sounds like you just pushed your receiver too hard and something gave way.

Do your speakers sound normal at reasonable listening levels? You might consider installing outside speakers as an option for pool side use.

I noticed the Pioneer manual mentions "Overheat" or something that might appear on the display. I didn't notice that message. I'm using 8 Ohm speakers (Aperion's) and everything sounds fine all normal and even loud volumes.

I'm going to try to disconnect/reconnect all the cables later today. The manual mentions that speaker wires touching each other may cause the issue. However, since I'm using banana plugs that shouldn't be the cause. Also, I haven't move anything recently that could have caused the wires to shift, come unplugged, etc. Maybe the vibration from the sub could have caused it, but I doubt it.

I've swapped a few e-mails today w/Pioneer service. So far very impressed as they've responded very quickly. With a 2-year warranty, I'm just bummed that I'll be w/out it if I need to take it in for repairs. Plus, the nearest repair center is about 45 minutes away.

I agree outdoor speakers might be a better option than my previous method. However, if the max volume is +15 I don't think bad things should happen at levels quite a bit less than that (+4).

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by rogman

However, if the max volume is +15 I don't think bad things should happen at levels quite a bit less than that (+4).

So, you're taking the Spinal Tap approach to it, eh?

That rocks!

[TENSE]

OUCH..!! That has to hurt DAM Winter..!!

[jcs913]

I have an Elite 92 w/NHT Super2's as my mains and have listened at +2 to +6several times. Obviously, it is loud, but never got to the point where it felt the speakers were underpowered. I assume those Aperian speakers can handle that much power? I know they are rated at 8ohms, but what is the max watt? At +2, you could be overloading the speakers. I think the Pio. has a feature that detects that and shuts down so you do not blow your speakers. I will have to check out the manual again, but that may be why.

[Ranger-R]

I had a sony do this and it was one of the speaker wires touched.

[rogman]

Originally Posted by jcs913

I have an Elite 92 w/NHT Super2's as my mains and have listened at +2 to +6several times. Obviously, it is loud, but never got to the point where it felt the speakers were underpowered. I assume those Aperian speakers can handle that much power? I know they are rated at 8ohms, but what is the max watt? At +2, you could be overloading the speakers. I think the Pio. has a feature that detects that and shuts down so you do not blow your speakers. I will have to check out the manual again, but that may be why.

The speakers sounded INCREDIBLE even at those volumes!!! I was pretty impressed. I've never heard music that loud (outside of a concert) and the sound was crystal clear. It was so loud that I would never sit in a room that way. Sounded great out by the pool too. Definitely not the speakers. (They're rated up to 200 watts BTW.)

I did some tests yesterday (Same BR disc- AC/DC Live at Donnington) and the receiver cut out at -13. Fine at -14. After several e-mails w/Pioneer, it looks like it needs service. It's still fine for movies, and for 'normal' music listening, just no 'concert volumes' for awhile

I have to had it to Pioneer in the support area though. I received e-mail responses within 1/2 hour each time. I'll have to see how quick the service is at the authorized service center. I can't stand to have my theater down for long...

[jcs913]

That is strange, that the BR disc would cut out, but not a CD. I have also had the Dave Matthews BD disc played at about +4 several times and have never had a problem with the disc or with CD's at that listening level. Honestly, taking that thing in sucks. You may not get it back for a while. Pioneer could not tell you any reason why? Maybe a settings change on your BD player? I would look more into it before I would lug that thing in.

[rogman]

Originally Posted by jcs913

That is strange, that the BR disc would cut out, but not a CD. I have also had the Dave Matthews BD disc played at about +4 several times and have never had a problem with the disc or with CD's at that listening level. Honestly, taking that thing in sucks. You may not get it back for a while. Pioneer could not tell you any reason why? Maybe a settings change on your BD player? I would look more into it before I would lug that thing in.

Never tried a CD that loud. I don't use the system much for just music. I suppose I'd have to go to higher levels on the volume to get the same DB output on the receiver. I doubt it has anything to do with it being a BD, but I guess I should give it a shot.

I'll probably call the store tomorrow to see what the timeframe is for the repair. Hopefully it's not too long...

[rogman]

Originally Posted by rogman

I'm having a problem with my Elite 92 shutting down when played at high volumes. I was playing music with the volume at +4 a few days ago (way too loud, but I was outside in the pool and the system is in the basement). It shut down so I figured I pushed it too hard. Yesterday it was shutting down with the volume at -8 and even at -10. That's a bit loud, but not unreasonable. I've frequently used if for music at those levels in the past. I don't have problems with movies which we typically watch at -18 thru -22.

Has anyone had this happen? Is there a solution? Or does the receiver need repair? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Just thought I'd post an update to maybe help someone in the future...

After swapping e-mails with Pioneer, they put me in touch with an authorized service center. When I discussed with them, they suggested disconnecting all the speakers and running the receiver at high volume again. If the receiver didn't cut out, then the problem was somewhere else. It didn't cut out, so it's not the receiver after all.

I began reconnecting speakers one at a time, checking for loose, touching wires, etc. (cranking the volume up each time). Everything worked fine until I connected the right front speaker. The receiver switched off after a few seconds at -6. That seems to be the culprit. I tried new cable, but it didn't matter. The weird thing is that the speaker sounds fine.

I e-mailed and talked to Aperion. They're very helpful and had me remove the woofers to check for wires touching, etc. Nothing there was out of sorts. Now I have to ship it to Oregon for warranty repair ~$35 (they'll pay for return shipping). They would have sent me a replacement speaker, but the 533Ts are out of production (replaced by 5Ts). They've offered to send me two woofers (one free, one $25) to try to replace those, but there's no guarantee. I'm wondering of the crossover could be damaged too. (Not sure if that's user-replacable).

Has anyone had a similar problem? As I said, the speaker sounds fine (so nothing is blown), but there's a problem somewhere.

[rogman]

I finally got around to shipping my 533T back to Aperion for repair. My 'free' warranty service cost $80 in shipping (50 lbs.) It took a couple of weeks, but they replaced a damaged woofer (although they never did find a problem with the speaker in their tests). When it came last Saturday, I was sure I'd have the same problem with the speaker causing the receiver to shut down. I was pleasantly surprised that everything's fine! I tried extensive tests as loud volumes with no issues.

I still don't know why something going wrong in a speaker would cause a receiver to shut down, but at least it's fixed!

[aramis109]

Thanks for the update- interesting reading! If the speaker is causing a short, I would guess it was kicking in the receiver's protection circuitry and causing it to shut down.

Really nice setup by the way- I'm jealous!

[rogman]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Thanks for the update- interesting reading! If the speaker is causing a short, I would guess it was kicking in the receiver's protection circuitry and causing it to shut down.

Really nice setup by the way- I'm jealous!

Thanks. I learned a valuable lesson from this whole thing... When your system's in the basement and you're out by the pool... maybe, just maybe you should bring out a boombox instead!!??

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by rogman

I finally got around to shipping my 533T back to Aperion for repair. My 'free' warranty service cost $80 in shipping (50 lbs.) It took a couple of weeks, but they replaced a damaged woofer (although they never did find a problem with the speaker in their tests). When it came last Saturday, I was sure I'd have the same problem with the speaker causing the receiver to shut down. I was pleasantly surprised that everything's fine! I tried extensive tests as loud volumes with no issues.

I still don't know why something going wrong in a speaker would cause a receiver to shut down, but at least it's fixed!

Looks like a decent speaker, but you're pushing, what, 110 watts through there per channel - at prolonged reference volume, you might be heating up those drivers. Keep an eye out for this happening again, I'd prefer to see 6.25" drivers in that price range, bearing that load.

The Pioneer 92 does not take prisoners. It can ramp up the juice for a loud passage without effort.

[rogman]

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

Looks like a decent speaker, but you're pushing, what, 110 watts through there per channel - at prolonged reference volume, you might be heating up those drivers. Keep an eye out for this happening again, I'd prefer to see 6.25" drivers in that price range, bearing that load.

The Pioneer 92 does not take prisoners. It can ramp up the juice for a loud passage without effort.

I think it's 140 watts per channel, not sure. Either way, I really didn't need to go to +6 on the volume. The receiver had no trouble handling it that's for sure. I'd expect the speakers to do so without issue as well. I certainly won't do that again. It was so loud, I really couldn't get near it. "Concert volume" is about -6 (and ONLY when the Mrs. is out!) and I don't see a need to go past that.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by rogman

I think it's 140 watts per channel, not sure. Either way, I really didn't need to go to +6 on the volume. The receiver had no trouble handling it that's for sure. I'd expect the speakers to do so without issue as well. I certainly won't do that again. It was so loud, I really couldn't get near it. "Concert volume" is about -6 (and ONLY when the Mrs. is out!) and I don't see a need to go past that.

The 92 is 130 watts. Not a heck of a lot of difference. I have two of the 84THX series, like the 94's, they're 140 watts. I can't stay in the room with my DefTechs at anything higher than +1!

How you lived through +6 should be the subject of scientific investigation...you got green skin, by any chance?

I use 0 as reference volume, but the neighbors know I'm home...