• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Sony B*stards!

stewey

stewey

Active Member
Well, I've been trying to get my SDP-E800 surround sound processor repaired for sometime so that I can hook it up to my old amps and get some sweet "vintage" surround going.

This process has been a PIA to say the least and it looks like I've hit a brick wall. The cost to repair the unit is well over $1000 - f*cking laughable.

I talked to Sony customer service (at the urging of the Sony repair shop) to complain about the INSANE cost of parts. Well, I was really nice, then when it became apparent they weren't going to move an inch, I was really blunt. Didn't help.

So here I am, kindof stuck. I was wondering if anyone had a service manual for this unit? Or any other advice to get my badass 4-channel surround going.

Thanks.
Stew.
 
Register to hide this ad
Thanks!

Funny, I already had that one in my watch list :)

I think I'll ask the seller what the reserve is.

Stew.
 
Totally sucky Sony service is a global phenomenon.

If you really love the Sony sound have you considered upgrading to an SDP-EP9ES or TA-E9000ES preamp ?

Both can be found used and offer a clear upgrade from the E800.
That Ebay ad is out of date, there are heaps of DTS recordings now.


cheerio
 
Last edited:
Sony receiver..

What do they say it needs, for $1000.00? that is a LOT of money!! As a technician, i find that VERY high, Unless one, or two whole boards needs replaced. Even then, it is HIGH.
 
The newer and better SDP-EP9ES doesn't cost $1K brand new and can be had for a small fraction of that amount. These things ( no matter how good) seem to have gone the way of the dodo. Everybody seems to want 1 big black box to do all the work for them.



Mike
 
The entire board was shot...

...apparently. So the shop's price on the board would be ~$800 + 20%. If I weren't so mad I'd be hysterical. There's only one board inside. I find it hard to understand why the entire thing needs to be replaced and not just a few components, but oh well.

I've been looking at the EP9ES and reading reviews. It definitely sounds like a better processor, but it consistently sells for more on eBay. I think I'll try to pick up another SDP-E800, I prefer the slim enclosure as well.

What about other brands? Are there any other stand-alone dolby digital processors? ...and I don't mean Krell, Rotel, etc. I know there are lots of pro-logic processors out there, but the separation won't be nearly as good. I've heard the Rotel pro-logic processors are exceptional and make good pre-amps to boot. They still seem to fetch a pretty penny though.

Thx.
 
Yamaha?

Can anyone comment on yamaha surround sound processors? There seem to be a lot on eBay. One of them, the DDP-2 seems to be pretty cheap ($65 Buy It Now), but I don't know how it sounds or if it has a remote, or DTS support - anyone know?
 
Pioneer SP-D07.
Marantz DP-870 DD only , no DPL.

Technics had a real cheepy, the SH-AC500D but it sounded crap.

There were a few from Yamaha too; DDP1/DDP2/ DSP-E800.

Denon AVD-2000

Plus there were DD decoders from AMC, Nad, Onkyo...can't remember the exact model numbers.

Or you could pick up a cheepo AVR.

I'd go for a processor with DD & DTS.
Theres a few Sonys, Pioneers and quite a few Marantzes which had aftermarket DTS chips fitted, mainly by MSB Technologies.

These are real bargains.


cheerio
 
DDP-2 Has no master volume...

...so that's out. Here are my major requirements:

1. DD 5.1
2. Remote & Master Volume
3. Cheap

Anything else is a bonus. I wish I could afford more, but I simply can't justify it at this point. DTS would be nice, but it seems hard to find, and in that case I can fall back on Dolby Pro-Logic.

Looks like the SDP-E800 is still a front-runner. I did find an Onkyo ED-301, but I don't know if it supports remote operation which is an absolute must.

Any additional advice is appreciated, otherwise thanks for everything so far.

Stew.
 
Good News...

I'm buying an SDP-EP9ES. I'm happy, because this supports DTS as well as DD 5.1. It also has a much better reputation than the SDP-E800. It helps that I'm getting a pretty good deal on it.

Here's a question for you all: I have 4 HPM-40's that will be running full range, but no center channel and no sub. I could run the center channel through the TV speakers, or just create a "Phantom" channel with the HPM-40's.

The TV speakers are OK as far as TV's go, but I'm concerned that using them might do more harm than good - what do you think?

FYI: The TV is a RCA D40W20 with a 15 watt internal amp.
 
Is that a modified SDP-EP9ES ?

These only did DD in standard form.

Who modded it ?

Run a phantom center, forget about using the TV speaker. even the best would be nowhere near the calibre of your HPM40s.


cheers
 
Last edited:
You are absolutely correct.

I do not know where I got that crazy idea. I think I've been looking at too many of these things lately.

So, no - it's not modded. Just standard DD 5.1 ...I'm still happy though. Very strange that I got that idea. Thanks for setting me straight.

Stew.
 
Last edited:
Re: Sony receiver..

Originally posted by rca2000
What do they say it needs, for $1000.00? that is a LOT of money!! As a technician, i find that VERY high, Unless one, or two whole boards needs replaced. Even then, it is HIGH.
Click to expand...

Or


They can't find the problem and to save face they give you a quote you are likely to refuse.:rolleyes:
 
Before I dismantled my HT rig in favor of Khorns and tubes, I used four speakers, and used my TV as center channel. Sometimes I would run in Phantom mode, so the L/R fronts would reduntantly reproduce the center channel information. Other times I would run in 5.1, but with no center channel connected. Depended on the program material. At any rate, I would simply dial in the right balance using the TV's volume control. Worked well for me.

BTW, I still do it with the 2-ch rig.:nutz:
 
I have been looking into a 5.1 channel Dolby Digital Processor too.

The thing I don't understand is that all the big companies IE: Sony, Pioneer, etc make 5.1 Home Theater Recievers for prices as low as 200 bucks. Ok, remove the cheap power amplifier in them, and they could sell the pre-amp / processor for maybe $140.

With that said, why don't they make a pre-amp / processor only component that someone could buy if they wanted to use there own high end power-amp?

Jeeze ... If you only want a pre-amp / processor unit, you need to buy one from some high end manufacturer that wants about $1000 for it.

Don't make sense, at least, to me!

Ron,
 
Yes! I know! It's crazy! Looking back though, I think you could pick up one of these AVR's and add pre-out jumpers to it. I don't know whether that's possible given how they build these things now, but if you could take a look inside or at a schematic you could probably figure it out.

I wouldn't expect great sound though. The pre-amps are probably pretty bad. Still, it's HT not HiFi.
 
Let me know if you want to get rid of the old one. If I could get it cheaply enough I'd like to try to fix it for myself. If they want to replace the whole board, there's probably a failure of one of the large sony ICs, but it might be something I can handle.

How much would you want for it shipped to central PA? E-mail me at ajc177@psu.edu if you're interested.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom