2. home-theater
  3. 1362173301

Advice needed Please, To Fix Or Not To Fix?

My AV receiver needs repairs totalling 317 bucks. This includes the 60 bucks diagnostic fee and tax. The repair man tells me it needs a new output board, multiple caps are leaking, and there is signal loss all over. He will also thoroughly clean it up inside. A complete referbish as he puts it. It's a Integra DTR 5.4 and I have had it for years. I always thought it sounded good. I have it paired with a combo of Energy and Yamaha speakers, sub is Energy too. What do you guys think? Worth fixing or should I get a new piece? I really miss not having 5.1 and want the sound back but I do not want to spend too much on a new piece. What would I have to spend new or used to at least match this piece? Thanks in advance to any one who responds.
P.S. The price quoted for repair sounds pretty fair, but I admit to not having too many things fixed so I don't really know.
zar
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
PS: The Sherbourn also has automatic room correction and plenty of analog and digital inputs to handle all of your connectivity needs, now and in the future...

-RW-
internetmin
258 posts
 
A few things I'd add. First off, I ultimately agree with Rlwainwright. The technology has really advanced and what you get with new receivers and pre-pros is fantastic--especially room correction.

However, I'm not sure what you're using the receiver for. Are you considering any new sources that are HDMI enabled or are you happy and everything you're doing is just analog?

My sense is that the repair price is somewhat fair; however, you may be able to get a used one for that price and for a few hundred more, you'll get something brand new that really makes a big difference for you and gets you current with the technology.
paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
I will be brutally honest with you and tell you now. Don't repair it. Your AVR is not worth the price of the repairs. The repairman probably knows this too but is hoping you say yes. Its a job for him as no one ever repairs electronics unless they know how to do it themselves. Its called planned obsolescence and especially applies to AVR's and Flat Screen TV's.

Your Integra is outdated. It has no HDMI inputs and cannot decode the latest lossless formats, Dolby True HD & DTS Master. Use the $317 toward the purchase of a new AVR.

Now, aren't glad you came here and asked?
zar OP
185 posts
 
Paraneer and all the other guys that responded, thank you for the advice and honesty. I will get a new piece. I was using it for movie playback only (Whatever I buy will be used the same way, I have a separate two channel rig for music only) and have been more than leaning towards getting something new since it went down. Thanks again everyone for responding.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
I'm an Onkyo/Integra fan. I use Integra AVRs in my Home Theater Room and in a much smaller, video-centric set-up in my family room. I also use an Onkyo Pre-Pro in my more elaborate two-channel system because I'm hooked on room correction.

The Onkyo TX-NR 709 is available at <$550 from big box discounters and it features full-range Audyssey EQ (including the critical subwoofer correction). If you have more to spend, you might look for something from a premium brand, but the 709 is an excellent option for the +/- $200 premium vs. repairing your existing AVR.
More to discover