Denon AVP-8000 no output from RCA to power amp

[Mikhail]

Hi all,

I recently picked up an AVP-8000 preamp from Denon and am flummoxed as to why the RCA outputs to the amplifier are not working. None of the outputs work except headphone which sounds amazing. No distortion, both channels work great.

Yes it was a great deal and I figured since there was headphone output there must be something I just didn't understand about the pre outs. I did have a small amplifier that I hooked it up to when I tested it before purchase but couldn't hear anything from the pre-outs. Probably should have passed but it was just too good a deal and I figured I could get it working again because I've resurrected some equipment and know my way around a schematic and soldering iron.

I paid $65 for this amazing preamp that cost ~$3,000 back in 1988 or '89. Still a sexy unit today and I just want to find a Denon expert they can point me in the right direction of what to test. I've been in contact with Denon support to get a service manual and I'm very good at replacing components and working on electronics but I'm still kind of a novice at troubleshooting where the problem might be located.

I can hear beautiful audio from headphones on any input so I know the signal is at least making it to the headphone jack but there are so many relays and ICs that it's difficult to know where to focus my efforts.

The service manual is a necessity so until I can get that (no the SM is not in the AK database. I already looked) there's no real point to guessing where to look for a problem but if there are some Denon techs in the group with some suggestions I would love to hear from you.

Cheers!

Michael aka "Mikhail" Dowless

 

[sqlsavior]

I would ask the moderators to move your thread to the Solid State forum, where there are many more diagnosis and repair folks watching. Just click on the Report link at the bottom of your post, and make your request. You'll get more responses there, I'll bet.

 

[Mikhail]

I would ask the moderators to move your thread to the Solid State forum, where there are many more diagnosis and repair folks watching. Just click on the Report link at the bottom of your post, and make your request. You'll get more responses there, I'll bet.

Thanks SQL Savior. Done.

 

[Mikhail]

Thanks SQL Savior. Done.

Thanks to the Admins for moving my post!

 

[cademan]

It sounds like that preamp might have a separate built in headphone amplifier totally separate from the main outputs. Can you show us any pics of the insides?

Any fuses inside?

 

[Mikhail]

I've checked all fuses I can find and they all have good continuity. I will need to remove the front panel and see if there is any board for the headphone. It would really help to have a service manual but I've asked Denon support and they don't have any. None on hifiengine either but there are other forums out there.

Here are some inside shots but not much can be determined from them.

 

[Mikhail]

The photo with the small vertical blue relay is the area of the headphone jack. It does click when changing inputs and, as I said, everything sounds amazing through the phones. At least I don't have the dreaded BGA DSP hiss problem that others have said plagues the AVP-5000 and other Denon equipment from that early 1990s era.

 

[vinnysj]

Hifiengine has the service manual of the AVP-5000. It might be similar.

 

[Mikhail]

Hifiengine has the service manual of the AVP-5000. It might be similar.

I'll check that one out but hoping someone has the service manual on AK.

 

[Mikhail]

Good news,

I found out the problem was my lack of understanding about how this preamp worked. There was a setting only available with the remote where the previous owner had turned the output level of the preamp outs down to something like -35db so it was inaudible. I turned that up to 0db and it suddenly worked. Imagine that. Sounds fantastic and I'm glad I didn't give up on it.