Problems with Refurb Onkyo HT-S790

Where did you get refurbed S790? I have been checking Onkyo.com for weeks. Where on the website should I have looked. Just for the hell of it what did you give for it?

I have been looking for one for some time and finally nailed a new one for $329.00 at CC this week. Did I do ok?

$329 for a new system is very good. Yeah, you did OK.

I bought a refurbed HT-S790 from accessories4less, about two months ago, for about $330.

My problem is with the sub too, and in my case, it seems the sub doesn't output any signal. I have everything hooked up, and when the system is active, the sub's status light is green, meaning it is receiving the signal. The 'volume' dial at the back just turns and turns, it doesn't stop when you reach the minimum or maximum bass levels. There's no output. Using the test tone, there's nothing but silence on the sub's channel.

Anyone know any good Onkyo licensed repair shops in Queens?

I have had two Onkyo ht-s790 refurbed units. The first one had a bad sub exactly like you describe. The second had a bad amp in the receiver that would not output any sound through the 'A' speaker out puts (B worked fine). The first went back in return for the second one, and the second is on its way back now. I should have just complained to get the sub returned the first time since everything worked.

The service department is okay, and pretty quick now. It was impossible to get through right after Christmas (it was a gift) but since it has been fine. They pay the shipping there and back every time, and sent out the labels quickly and turn around once they got it was only a day. The worst part is that they have sent me busted units and while yes I am pissed about it, they should be even more pissed. They must have spent well over $200 on freight for it so far and that does not include sending it back. The only people happy with the whole deal must be Fed-Ex.

You get what you pay for. There is a good reason why refurbs are sold at a lower price.

From your description it sounds to me like the knob is just turning freely on the shaft of the "volume" control (often called a potentiometer, or "pot"). If the factory setting is to minimal output and the knob is not rotating the shaft, that might explain the phenomenon you describe.

How about checking to see if the knob has a set screw? If it does, try tightening the screw so it firmly grips the shaft of the potentiometer. That might fix it.

If not, does it come off when you pull it? Most control shafts have a flat section, meant to have a set screw tightened against it, but the corresponding knobs often have a female fitting that matches the "male" profile of the control shaft. It might just be that the spring steel insert in the knob that grips the flat on the shaft has been lost. If that's the case, try stuffing some aluminum foil into one side of the area into which the shaft inserts (or, alternatively, perhaps a trip to your nearest RS will yield a workable replacement knob). I think from your description that all you need is something to help the knob get a better grip on the shaft of the pot.

Good luck--if I'm right this might just help you avoid a trip to a repair station.

Doug

I own two separate Onkyo refurbed products and have had absolutely zero problems with either. One is going on 4 years and gets used every day and never turned off, while the other is very seldom used and only one year old. The most recent had a sticker on the box that said "Minor cosmetic defects". I can't find them.

Due to my good experiences, I would have confidence ordering Onkyo refurb units any time.

Doug

Yeah, I got an Onkyo DVD changer that was refurbished. Thing looks brand new and works as well as my Panasonic changer, with a better picture to boot.

I wish I knew of the refurbed 790s so I could have saved some money.