Calling on the "Elite".. for help!?

50nstillhifi

Super Member
Included is a picture of my most recent "acquisition".

A Pioneer VSX-29TX, Digital Sound Processor! Well crafted, chock full of fun buttons to push, and even boasting Lucasfilm THX insignia :banana:

My issue is... no audio (aka "it don't work) :(.. And the fix appears to be a rather well known issue with the chip. Now I have researched extensively on the "degree of repair" involved and gathered it is intense but doable.

My thoughts however is to hear or get guidance from someone who has met this challenge and been rewarded with a working unit that is still giving them years of great sound reproduction.

O-t-h-e-r-"wise" what I am left with is a good looking, non working, component! Any takers.. :bigok:P1080635.JPG
 
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Hmmm,

I think that’s the one I had fixed and flipped.

Internet knowledge says change a chip and resistor?

I had a tech check it. Looked like someone hacked at the chip solder with an incorrect solder rig.

The tech cleaned up the chip solder joints and said he saw a bad solder joint on a nearby resister.

It seems to work fine now. The new owner loves it.

You need an electronics microscope and SMD skill to even try a repair. I happen to work somewhere at the time that had those tools and a tech willing to help.
 
Hmmm,

I think that’s the one I had fixed and flipped.

Internet knowledge says change a chip and resistor?

I had a tech check it. Looked like someone hacked at the chip solder with an incorrect solder rig.

The tech cleaned up the chip solder joints and said he saw a bad solder joint on a nearby resister.

It seems to work fine now. The new owner loves it.

You need an electronics microscope and SMD skill to even try a repair. I happen to work somewhere at the time that had those tools and a tech willing to help.

Thanks for the reply.. I believe I have the skill level and time.. wondering if the parts are readily available?

As for magnification.. I have worked with "thin film" elements, aligning them manually by microscope. I don't believe it can be much more challenging than that :idea:
 
If it’s the one I’m thinking about, google it.
You’ll find a pile of complaints and info.
You’ll find the suspect chip number on the DSP board. Locate that and check the solder joints on that chip. Then scan the local area.

It may just need reflow.

The web hits list the replacement chip and it may still be out there.
 
I have a Pioneer VSX-24TX. The DSP chip slowly failed. Now I have a very heavy paperweight. It would be nice if there were a way to bypass the DSP, but alas, not on my receiver.

I bought the chip from Pioneer 3 years ago. I attempted to replace it, but my smd soldering skills were not sufficient. I lifted a few traces from the board before I gave up. Of course, that chip has the closest surface mount pin spacing of all the chips on the DSP board.

Part is available from Pioneer: http://parts.pioneerelectronics.com/part.asp?productNum=PD6381A

Check out this thread: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=270339

See also:
http://www.edaboard.co.uk/pioneer-vsx-27tx-long-delay-before-audio-can-be-heard-t1507.html

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-receivers-amps-processors/493832-pioneer-elite-vsx-2x-problems.html

https://www.electronicspoint.com/threads/audio-problems-with-pioneer-elite-vsx-29tx-vsx-27tx.48100/

http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=34548

https://www.recordingchannel.com/fix-for-the-audio-problems-pioneer-vsx-29tx-6775710.html

https://www.recordingchannel.com/audio-problems-with-pioneer-elite-vsx-29tx-vsx-27tx-5173110.html
 
If it’s the one I’m thinking about, google it.
You’ll find a pile of complaints and info.
You’ll find the suspect chip number on the DSP board. Locate that and check the solder joints on that chip. Then scan the local area.

It may just need reflow.

The web hits list the replacement chip and it may still be out there.

Thank you for the help... I will give it a go :biggrin:
 
I have a Pioneer VSX-24TX. The DSP chip slowly failed. Now I have a very heavy paperweight. It would be nice if there were a way to bypass the DSP, but alas, not on my receiver.

I bought the chip from Pioneer 3 years ago. I attempted to replace it, but my smd soldering skills were not sufficient. I lifted a few traces from the board before I gave up. Of course, that chip has the closest surface mount pin spacing of all the chips on the DSP board.

Part is available from Pioneer: http://parts.pioneerelectronics.com/part.asp?productNum=PD6381A

Check out this thread: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=270339

See also:
http://www.edaboard.co.uk/pioneer-vsx-27tx-long-delay-before-audio-can-be-heard-t1507.html

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-receivers-amps-processors/493832-pioneer-elite-vsx-2x-problems.html

https://www.electronicspoint.com/threads/audio-problems-with-pioneer-elite-vsx-29tx-vsx-27tx.48100/

http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=34548

https://www.recordingchannel.com/fix-for-the-audio-problems-pioneer-vsx-29tx-6775710.html

https://www.recordingchannel.com/audio-problems-with-pioneer-elite-vsx-29tx-vsx-27tx-5173110.html

Wow.... that is quite the "problem" history, and its shameful that Pioneer seems to be aware of the issue and has allowed it to persist in such an artful unit... not to mention expensive for some.

I will no doubt give the fix a go.. as I do have the time and patience for the procedure and I only paid $10 for the unit at a thrift.

Would be nice to get it going and hear some life from it.. appears others enjoyed the unit when it did work :idea:
 
How about a chip socket in place of the chip replace.
Then you could easily reinsert a new chip. Maybe???
 
How about a chip socket in place of the chip replace.
Then you could easily reinsert a new chip. Maybe???

The chip is a custom chip with programming. From what I gather, the programming had a "feature" that caused overheating of the chip. The new chip has new firmware that works better.

It is only available as a surface mount chip. It is not possible to use it with a socket. Besides, the failure mode is the type to only occur once. There should be no need for future replacements.
 
The chip is a custom chip with programming. From what I gather, the programming had a "feature" that caused overheating of the chip. The new chip has new firmware that works better.

It is only available as a surface mount chip. It is not possible to use it with a socket. Besides, the failure mode is the type to only occur once. There should be no need for future replacements.

O.K... thought clarified.
 
Well.... the fix is the least of the challenge thus far.

Its ordering and getting the replacement part that has proven to be most elusive!
 
SITUATION UPDATE.. aka "situp" :rockon:

Most perplexing..

I did finally remove the Pioneer "problem" board in question where the issue ICs are located.

I was quite surprised to see the following:
  • The ICs in question.. per past postings and on line guidance, are not the ICs spoken?
  • These Toshiba ICs and their solder points appear to be good.
  • The board appears to be either an upgrade or repair board (speculation).
  • Toshiba parts are used at each location and thus far are "unidentified" :idea:?
So.. I am now on a "forensic" electrical component search for this challenge.

I will keep all who are following this post on my now "Search for the Elite solution" as I have dubbed it :thumbsup:
 
SITUATION UPDATE.. aka "situp" :rockon:

Most perplexing..

I did finally remove the Pioneer "problem" board in question where the issue ICs are located.

I was quite surprised to see the following:
  • The ICs in question.. per past postings and on line guidance, are not the ICs spoken?
  • These Toshiba ICs and their solder points appear to be good.
  • The board appears to be either an upgrade or repair board (speculation).
  • Toshiba parts are used at each location and thus far are "unidentified" :idea:?
So.. I am now on a "forensic" electrical component search for this challenge.

I will keep all who are following this post on my now "Search for the Elite solution" as I have dubbed it :thumbsup:

:needpics:

Post pics and maybe we can compare your board to our boards.
 
Here are the pics of my board removed from the Pioneer.. and the Toshiba chips in question.

Any comments are welcome.. I have referred the IC i.d. challenge to Toshiba on line.

Thanks!ic board at Pioneer 001.JPG ic board at Pioneer 004.JPG ic board at Pioneer 008.JPG
 
That is not the DSP board. Have you got a copy of the service manual? The DSP board is shown on pages 68 & 69. It is the board inside the metal shield on the far right looking at the front. The DSP chip requiring replacement is on the outside surface of the DSP board. You can see it after you remove the metal shield.

The board you pictured is the Main Control Assembly shown on pages 50 to 53 of the service manual.
 
That is not the DSP board. Have you got a copy of the service manual? The DSP board is shown on pages 68 & 69. It is the board inside the metal shield on the far right looking at the front. The DSP chip requiring replacement is on the outside surface of the DSP board. You can see it after you remove the metal shield.

The board you pictured is the Main Control Assembly shown on pages 50 to 53 of the service manual.

Yes sir.... and thank you for the correction!

I have since removed the correct board and will post the issue as I have viewed it.
 
I have posted the pics per the correct board and located the chip.. it appears to have seen some duress. Also it appears a "fix" may have been attempted, there seems to be an absence or removal of resistors?

I am still working through the details.. any additional guidance is welcome! P1080670.JPG P1080671.JPG P1080672.JPG
 
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