Denon UDRA-F10 Mini receiver: TUNER problem

[Washburn]

Hello everyone, my 1st post here.

I got a 1996 or so Denon UDRA-F10 mini/midi size receiver as a 2nd office system to use with some spare speakers I have, in the hope of perhaps making it a dedicated TT system.

All works fine but have a problem with the built in tuner:
(I do not have the remote)

I have connected it to a normal 75 ohm wire antenna that I know works really well with other audio equipment. The Denon has a push-in type 75 ohm FM jack. (not threaded)

When I tune to a known station there's no sound output. (although "tuned" is displayed when I manually tune to a known station frequency). I have tried manual tuning and auto tuning. On auto preset setting, It just keeps scanning the whole FM range but doesn't lock to any frequency. I know the antenna works with a similar but smaller denon mini receiver (UD-M30, pictured with my UDRA F10 in one of the pics) . So the antenna is ok, although it's a simple wire antenna with a 75 ohm style jack.

There is no hiss or ANYTHING, just total silence.

If the tuning ability was gone, then there should be at least the "empty hiss" sound while searching for signal, right? but there is NO sound at all.
On the other hand, if the tuner output stage is kaputt, why can't it lock on to a station at all?

My Parasound z-tuner AND the small onkyo receiver AND the Denon UD-M30 mini receiver can all pickup stations with the same antenna.

AM: same problem with the supplied frame antenna..
I found a manual online but it has no instructions for resetting the unit.

I found a very similar post on AV forums on a different Denon model: the poster describes the exact same problem I have, with all symptoms identical:
https://www.avforums.com/threads/denon-3805-help-tuner-not-working.367734/

All other inputs work well.

I have attached pictures to show front and back panel.

(on side note, I must say it is very clean and transparent sounding with some Onkyo 5 ohm bookshelf speakers I have; it doesn't sound as good as my main amp (Music Hall a25.2, with Onix Reference1 monitors) but I am shocked at how close it comes.)

To me it seems like it is on some weird setting that it can't get out of. I can't imagine that just the tuner section is dead, as it seems unlikely....
I know this is not a well known component, but thought i'd ask here.
(I got the unit for $35 on ebay so even without the tuner section, it is still a great amp I think)

Thanks kindly, in advance, for any feedback or tips

 

[ryuuoh]

Did you try the reset?

 

[Washburn]

Did you try the reset?

No. I cannot find info on how to reset. I found a PDF manual online, but nowhere does it state how to reset this unit.

 

[ryuuoh]

There's a service manual for the Denon D-F10 system on ebay, if you want to try to repair it.
I think the tuner making no sound and not seeing radio signals indicates a fault in the circuit.

 

[Washburn]

There's a service manual for the Denon D-F10 system on ebay, if you want to try to repair it.
I think the tuner making no sound and not seeing radio signals indicates a fault in the circuit.

Thanks! I have never repaired any audio gear and I am not sure if I want to attempt that.... I am thinking of finding a small tuner and adding it to use with a different input, but keeping the Denon as the amp section is really nice...

 

[ryuuoh]

Have you opened the unit? Have a poke around any cables and the circuits near the antenna jack.

 

[Washburn]

Have you opened the unit? Have a poke around any cables and the circuits near the antenna jack.

No. I haven't tried to open it yet. Again, this would be a first for me, but I guess it should be pretty simple? some screws to take off and the cover probably lifts off or slides backwards I guess...

I might try it.... and will post pics of the innards if I do end up opening it..

 

[SoCal Sam]

Denon mini systems are nice. I have the matching CDP serving as my test player / transport.

 

[Washburn]

So I opened up the cover today and looked near where the antenna jack connects, etc, but I didn't see any loose wires or pins etc... looked dusty inside and gave it a good blast of air. Attached a few pics of the innards close to where the tuner section would be but I don't think anything jumps out visually...
I am still loving it as a great headphone setup and might perhaps set it up as a separate phono setup...or a bedroom setup. The amp sounds great with my BD DT770 phones, and with an ipod classic. So for $30, I think I still got a worthy amp here, and will be def. keeping it...

 

[SoCal Sam]

Here is my UCD-F10 which is the matching CDP for your receiver. There was a cassette deck which I could have snagged and am still kicking myself. The remote control IR receiver is in the receiver, the CDP gets command signals via a bus cable. Great sounding CDP, I use mine to test all my equipment. I even have a remote control for the day I find a $30 UDRA-F10.

 

[Washburn]

Nice looking setup, So Cal sam. I saw the matching tape deck from the same guy who sold me the receiver, and was tempted to ask for it for free due to tuner issue, but didn't really feel the need...

I hope your UDRA-F10 will work fully when you find it. But to be honest, for $30 I think I got a deal, even with the tuner kaputt. I have 3 tuners (2 onkyo mini receivers which sound wonderful for mini receivers, and the Parasound ztuner in the main living room Music Hall amp/cdp + Onix Reference-1-based system) in the house, so not really missing it. The headphone output is also very good sounding.
I am going to hook it up to my spare pair of Onix x-ls 8 ohm 2-way speakers soon and test it. Will take a few pics too...

A friend has been trying to convince me to get a turntable and if he succeeds I might use the Denon for that purpose...

I have to find a remote, but If i use this as a bedside system, I really don't need one.

 

[Prime Mover]

Nice receiver. I'm a big fan of these mini separates. I have a set of Onkyo mini components (A-911 Amp, T-411 Tuner, C-722 CD player and K-622 tape deck). They sound as good as the Onkyo full sized components of the same era. They should considering the schematics are virtually identical. The PCB layout was essentially folded up and some sections placed on vertical boards to make them smaller.