Sony STR-DB940 Problem - any ideas?

[Steve Zodiac]

I have a problem with my Sony receiver, it has an extremely annoying habit of switching itself off.

It isn't just a case of overheating, as it can happen after being on for just a few minutes. Sometimes it will go all evening with no problems at all.
Usually the first sign of trouble is no response from the remote control and often later followed by switching itself off.
Turning it on and off with the power switch or unplugging it from the mains, makes no difference, the receiver will only come back on when it's good and ready. Usually it's back on the next morning in demo mode.
The receiver does tend to power off when using DD or DTS and from memory, seems ok when using Pro Logic or in stereo only.
The speakers and cabling are fine with no shorts.

I recently went back to the dealer where I bought it three years ago. I was told that it was just time to buy a new one and that sound quality on new receivers and amps had improved so much since I had bought the Sony. Is this true?

If anyone has any ideas what could be at fault in the receiver, I would be very grateful. I may be able to get the part(s) from Sony and repair it myself, rather than paying a £75 minimum charge to the local repair agent for Sony for just having a look to see if anything could be done. If it could be fixed, there would be parts and labour charge on top and before I know it, I would have a bill for around a couple of hundred pounds or more. I would rather put that towards a new receiver

So as I said, I would appreciate any advise that could be offered, even if it is "Buy a new one"!

Thanks,

Steve.

 

[Lars]

This is a very fine amplifier. I see no reason to buy a new one. The most recent amps do a better job is stereo, nothing more. I have the 840 and like the look very much. The newer sony's look a lot cheaper.

I really should have it repeard

good luck

 

[sonny]

I also had the 930 for a long time and very reluctantly replaced it with a 1080, but only for the additional channel.
The guy who said sound quality had improved vastly was talking crap.
I would take it to a branch of Richer Sounds and see if thay could fix it.
I know them to be more than reasonable in this respect.

 

[krismcewan]

Originally posted by sonny
I also had the 930 for a long time and very reluctantly replaced it with a 1080, but only for the additional channel.
The guy who said sound quality had improved vastly was talking crap.
I would take it to a branch of Richer Sounds and see if thay could fix it.
I know them to be more than reasonable in this respect.

Did you have any problems with your 1080?

 

[sonny]

No, I have had many Sony receivers, all from Richer Sounds, and without fault, but I know they are better than many repair centres.

 

[bob1]

Have you tried reseting the amp,it may help,worth a try for nowt.

 

[Steve Zodiac]

Thanks to all for the replies.

From the point of view of sound quality, I have been very pleased with this receiver. If it can be sorted out for a reasonable amount of money, then that would be my preference.

After is powers itself off, on the occasions it does this (quite regularly), it comes back on in demo mode and the various settings, speaker size, position etc have to be re-entered.
I assumed that this was back to the initial "as it left the factory" conditions.
If there is some other way of re-setting the receiver, then please let me know.

Steve.

 

[bob1]

There should be a way of resetting it ,i used to have a 930 it was a matter of pressing a button while you turn it on.IT does sound like its resting its self anyway.

 

[Steve Zodiac]

Thanks bob1, I'll check and have another look in the instructions.