Hi, everyone.
Well, please refer to my last thread about front channel going out on Denon 3808 for context (if you have time and inclination). Now I have a new chapter to report. It has been about a week since the channel cut out and no test tone would play through the right front channel. The receiver has been used every day. This morning, all of a sudden, sound popped back into the channel!! My room is on a cement slab, so no motion or movement cajoled any wires or anything like that. I had turned the sub off since it was too boomy after losing my audyssey settings when re-setting the receiver, but other than that no changes whatsoever. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I have already ordered the 4310. My question - is this a sign of what is probably more intermittent failure coming? Or - do you think it just miraculously fixed itself? I checked several times and there was no firmware update needed. I do run a small fan on top of the unit, so it never gets that hot. And, when the channel popped into focus this morning, the unit had been on about an hour and I drove it for hours this weekend, so don't think it was related to temperature or anything. Any ideas on this strange behavior and should I cancel my order for the 4310 if it isn't too late? Even the Denon support said I'd have to send it in since there was no test tone playing through it (though the whole time, my icons on the receiver suggested it was playing through all channels even though I know the right front was getting no output until this morning). Thanks for any thoughts - very strange and perplexing.
Laura

Things that "fix themselves" are a typical sign of a electronic relay that was jammed into an incorrect position. It can mean more trouble ahead or it could be one time thing depending on the nature of the problem (firmware glitch or defective relay).

Hi Laura,
Personally I would go ahead with another receiver. A problem like that could be intermittent and I would hate to think what damage a channel suddenly turning off or on could do to your speaker(s). That's just my opinion though based on zero scientific grounding. Good luck.

My previous receiver would intermittently loose the surround channels. They'd stick around after the unit was warmed up, but before that, I'd usually put on the test tones, and smack the thing on the side until I heard the relays click. It had good days and bad days, but the best day was when I replaced it.

As has been suggested it could be a relay or any number of things that can happen with electronics. My last experience with a channel cutting in and out then finally "staying" out was with an older Yamaha receiver which required replacing the DAC for that channel. ($220.00 later)!

One more for keeping that 4310 coming, your past situation will come and go as it pleases, sticking relays, weakened/cracked solder joints can be a pain.

It’s been my experience that broke things simply do not fix themselves. This is regardless of the device; whether it is a brake caliper, a computer monitor or an electronic device. If your 3808 was giving you fits from a malfunction (and not user error), and it suddenly decided to work correctly, it is only a matter of time before it fails again, but the next time it might just take a neighboring device with it.

Unfortunately for you, it is also my experience that unless the device is in a failed state when the technician works on it, or if it does not log error codes, you will be told that they could not find anything wrong with the device. New auto warranty work is the worst.

Agreed. Either be procative and replace the receiver now or just keep using your 3808 until the problem resurfaces or until the problem becomes too annoying/frustrating to live with.

Thanks everyone! I think you have given me sound advice (to go ahead with the 4310). It is surely abnormal behavior and just the thought of going through all this again the next time (which could be this afternoon) the channel cuts out is too much. Since it is no longer under warranty (and I figure my luck is just like Michael D says where it won't be broken when they look into it) I plan to take it this summer to a local repair place who maybe will keep it long enough to find the problem and repair it and then sell it. I certainly wouldn't sell it like this, but to later recoup a bit of the money I've spent replacing it will be good. I think I have one of the earlier production models, but haven't had a problem until now. Sure hope the install and setting up of the 4310 will be easier since I now have some Denon experience! What a challenge this one was when I got it! If you happen to know any shortcuts like what to set up sub at or whatnot, please advise since I want this to go as easy as possible and I do recall some strange stuff with Audssey setting the sub at a weird distance (which I believe you just ignore if I recall correctly). If any of you have the 4310 and have suggestions - you know I am all ears!! Thanks.
Laura

Oh, your luck is still better than Michael_Ds. If HE owned it, it would be on fire by now.

Well either on fire or in the front yard with a shattered window.... I think that's why I'm so resistent to the idea of moving from my 3808. It's going on two years now without one single issue. A new record for me. Crap, I've just jinxed myself.

Laura, have you considered the 4810 verses the 4310? The price difference may be less than you think, and you will get both height and width channels with the 4810. Just a thought, seeing how you about to blow some money.

I have my 5 years old Sony AVR having problem with the center channel before, the sound comes and go and with noises in between or totally no sound.

I got mad and bang on it, and the sound came back....before I sold it off, I ask my neighbor who is an electrician to check out for me, and when he return the Sony to me, he told me that, it's the dust that's causing the problem, use a small blower or vacuum cleaner to blow/suck away the dust solved the problem. he just clean the interior and the AVR sounded as good as new.

I've told the same to some of people here when they have the "no sound" problem...they clean it, and it does fixed the problem.

Maybe the dust in the 3808 connector just fell off so it worked again.

anyway, good luck on your 4310..it's a nice AVR.

Laura,

Sorry to hear you are having problems. I have the 3808 and love it.

I have several Denon devices and find the internet to be a great place to troubleshoot. Have you tried searching to see if anyone else has had the problem and come up with a solution?

Thanks for the continued thoughts. I have searched elsewhere and now the problem is intermittent and I believe maybe heat related that may trigger something to connect. Nonetheless, I am committed to the 4310 and will start fresh. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll keep you posted on the the 4310 when I get it and get it set up.
Laura