[polson]

I know there are many threads on buzzing, but I don't think I have encountered one that addresses the circumstances of my receiver. My Harman Kardon AVR 210 has developed a buzz. I moved last September and I can't be sure that the buzzing noise didn't start before my move, but it is very noticeable in my current home and has probably gotten slightly louder over the past few months. I have tested for ground loops and interference using suggestions I have found on this and other sites and here is what I have come up with.

If I unplug every input into my receiver and leave only the center channel and front channel speakers attached I still get the buzz. And the buzz is constant regardless of how loud the volume is and which input I choose (eventhough there is nothing connected to any of the inputs). I drove my receiver over to a friends house that is a couple miles away, plugged in the receiver and one speaker and I still heard the buzz. I think this rules out outside electrical and other interference that I might be encountering at my new home. Does this mean that my receiver is toast? One note: When I hooked up the speaker at my friends house I tried connecting the speaker to the front, rear, and center channels. The buzz was only noticeable on the front and center channels.

I am also not sure whether I would characterize this noise as a buzz or a humm (if it makes a difference), but there is clearly a constant noise.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[M NEWMAN]

Your HK is defective - send in for service or replace with new.

 

[polson]

I thought that might be the answer. Unfortunately it is outside of the warranty period and when I spoke with a local authorized repair shop the $70 diagnosis fee + parts and labor to fix is going to quickly climb above what a new receiver might cost. I guess I will look to another brand of equipment this time around because it doesn't seem reasonable that a $400+ receiver should only last for 4 years.

 

[M NEWMAN]

Check with Harmon directly for service, often, manufacturers have in-house service that is a flat fee, usually significantly below the cost of replacement. The reason for this is that they really don't want to lose you to another manufacturer. Not everyone does this, but you could certainly try to wield a little brand loyalty muscle to get a reasonable repair out of 'em, just to keep you in the Harmon family - it's called consumer-base retention through customer service.