Eventually Repair the 606 or Upgrade?

[DaFees]

Hello Everyone, I come here today seeking some advice. I currently own a Onkyo 606 receiver which I use for my PS3, Wii, PC, and TV. I've had it since August of 08 and it's been working fine up until this past September. Back in September I started to notice that if I'd accidentally step on the cable for my subwoofer that the subwoofer would then make some nice unexpected rumbles. I didn't think much of this and decided to just tread lightly.

However more recently I've noticed that sometimes the TV will not display the video from the PS3 nor will there be any sound. Sometimes I'll get a video signal but it looks like crap. Usually if I turn off the receiver and turn it back on everything works. Sometimes with my Wii I'll turn it on and get sound but no video (I'm using component in from the Wii to HDMI out to the TV).

Ok standard issues I've just stated here. i know my receiver has a two year warranty. My question is do I deal with the hassles and attempt to get the receiver repaired? Or do I invest my efforts and money in a new receiver? If this is the case I'm thinking some thing like I've already got sans the issues. I wouldn't object to another Onkyo only if it didn't come with the same issues. I also like the look of the Denon AVR-790. Quick question how does the Denon I just named compare to what I've already got?

Simply put do I try to repair what I got or go for an upgrade? Would a repair even solve the issue or would it eventually just come back? Do other Onkyo models have the same issues?

Any help that anyone could provide would be most appreciated.

[Steve]

Since you don't want to go to the hassle of having the repair done it seems the answer is obvious: upgrade. As you mentioned, Denon makes really good receivers, but so does Marantz and Pioneer. What kind of budget would you be looking at for your upgrade, and what do you want to the new receiver to do? Are there any features you're looking for in an upgrade that your current model doesn't have (pre-outs for example)?

And personally, even after I bought a new receiver, I would still have the 606 repaired under warranty and then try to sell it or set up a small bedroom system or something.

[DaFees]

Ok well it's like this. My budget is roughly $500 or less, but I wouldn't begin thinking of going either way until after the holidays. In terms of what I want the receiver to do, I am quite happy with how my current receiver performs. I really only ask that my new receiver would do all the same things my current receiver does and have 7.1 multichannel analog inputs like my current one does (Use these for my PC).

I should say I'd probably wait until around tax refund time if I could to do something. Before I decide what I truly do I need to know, if a repair on my 606 will solve my problems or if they'll just eventually return? Also does anyone know what the average repair cost would be?

[Fors*]

I don't know how much it would be to fix the Onkyo, but I have heard some scarry things about Onkyo's customer service, so be prepared if you do follow up and try to get the 606 fixed!

[DaFees]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

I don't know how much it would be to fix the Onkyo, but I have heard some scarry things about Onkyo's customer service, so be prepared if you do follow up and try to get the 606 fixed!

That's what I mean by hassles when I said such. I've heard bad things about their customer service as well. Also I'm not opposed to doing a repair it's just the 606 is the only receiver I own and I feel as though I'dn't be able last the time a typical repair takes, without a receiver.

I am partly thinking that because I still live at home with my parents (I'm still in college BTW) that I have no need for two receivers. I'm also thinking my one cousin who has a nice HDTV and a PS3 but an outdated 5.1 sound system (er at least the receiver and subwoofer are outdated) could benefit from having my 606. I just figure if the repairs are not too much (that he could cover them) and that with a repair the problems won't return, that he could have my 606, and I get a new one.

[Fors*]

Good luck....I used to won the 605 before upgrading this past June, and the 605 treated me very well. It ran a little too hot for my tastes, but it did the job well.

[DaFees]

Well that's all fine and good, but did your 605 ever need upgrading?

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by DaFees

Well that's all fine and good, but did your 605 ever need upgrading?

No, my 605 worked fine. But I know "Vagrant 1" is a member who had an issue with his 606 and had to call Onkyo service. You could send him a PM and perhaps he could give you the finer details on what he had to do.......

[un4gvn94538]

since its under warranty why not just get it fixed? if you decide to upgrade you could always sell it.

[DaFees]

I should clarify and say that I do not object to getting my current receiver repaired by any means, but two things to keep in mind.

I have no other receivers which means while my current one is away being repaired I'll have to live without my 7.1 sound system and I do not like the sound of my TV speakers. (Nothing is wrong with them, I just don't like them).

Secondly, I'd gladly get it repaired but will that fix the grand problem forever or will the problem eventually come back again? I mean I'd like to know if this repair is a once and done or just some sort of temporary fix.

I mean I can PM others that have had similar issues but I figured if anyone knew these answers they could just tell me. Either way though I do appreciate the input, so thank you for that.

[browndk26]

Call Onkyo and ask them. Then go buy another AVR since that sounds like what you want to do anyway. Get the Onkyo fixed and sell it.

[DaFees]

Buying a new receiver is a last resort, ok. I'm just looking for some reassurance. All I'm asking is if anybody who has had similar problems got their receiver repaired. If they did get it repaired did the repair work permanently (or at least seem to be so far) or has the receiver ended up giving them troubles again.

I can perhaps see how you thought my initial and previous posts may have led you to think I want to buy a new one. I'm only saying two things.

It will suck while my receiver is being repaired as I won't have a receiver,
Second, I'm just looking for a little reassurance.

[bandit29]

Wow another 606 going bad? Mine has issues as well. Bought it in May 2008 and this September, it started having problems. In a nutshell, the HDMI output is dropping the signal. When the PS3 and DVR are connected directly to the TV they are good. So it's the Onkyo 606.

Got take it when I get a chance...

[Automission]

Does nobody know the answer? I need to know too. Will a repair fix it permanently, or will it happen again a year and a bit later?

[The Spanierd]

I actually have the same issue's and having read online regarding the 606 this bad boy is a piece of shit and soon to become a sore eye in Onkyo's reputation. Mine will not get signal from PS3 I have already had to bring it down to 1080i ( Fixes the issue at an Obvious cost ). I remember when I picked mine up all the review's on Amazon and many other were fantastic with about maybe 1 bad review. Now this is blasted in Amazon's review's with as many as 20 people on there alone indicating the same exact problem and making reference to some manufacture's building issue's and they assure that the Onkyo 606 1080P capabilitie's have an experation date. I could not beleive my eye's when I was reading that everybody had the same issue, plus it will be long before Onkyo even consider's admiting that this is a faulty receiver. Im already researching the Pioneer 1019. Im gonna dump this shit on ebay for $200 and take my loss. First and last time I purchase ONKYO and not based on the amount of people who experienced poor customer service and failure rate on this model. Last product I refused to purchase ever again was Xbox 360 after the fourth repair went out.