My Yamaha tech reps insist the RX and HTR equivalent models are identical
inside. I know they use the same service manuals, with no difference in
schematic or electronic parts list.

Mark Z.


Almost any Yamaha with DTS and Dolby Digital, especially if the receiver
is
from their RX line as opposed to their HTR line.

"LASERandDVDfan" wrote in message
...
I have the sony str-de445 sorround sound reciever.


I got it for free, because it wouldnt get out of protect. I replaced the
shorted output transistors, and checked the bias resistors, and volteges,
etc...

I need the board 1-676-790-12. Anybody know where to find one of these
boards reletivly cheap? I dont want to pay retail for a new reciever

The STR-DE445 is a pretty old model, and not a very good one, IMO.

It's okay for basic use, but it's underpowered and usually notorious for
having
excessive hissing noise in the speakers whenever the audio processor is
being
used.

You had already sunk time and money into repairing this thing, but it may
be
difficult to source a replacement board. The only thing I can suggest is
to
look around for another broken STR series receiver from the same era and
cannabalize it for the processor module. This is a discontinued model,
has
been since the middle of 2001.

I would recommend that salvage the parts, junk the receiver and buy a new
replacement.

If you're going to buy another Sony, don't get the lowest end. Also,
Pioneer
isn't a bad choice, and they are overly conservative with their power
ratings.
JVC is okay, but they can be an ergonomic nightmare. Panasonic is also
okay,
but don't get the lowest end. I would go for Yamaha, but that's a pricey
choice. You do get what you pay for, though. Denon and Onkyo are also
good
but not as great as Yamaha, IMO.

Or, if you insist on buying used:

Sony STR-DE845, STR-DE945, STR-DE935.

Technics SA-DA8N, SA-DA10, SA-DX1040.

Almost any Yamaha with DTS and Dolby Digital, especially if the receiver
is
from their RX line as opposed to their HTR line.

These are high end machines, but they are also pretty good, especially the
Technics SA-DA10. You can find one in good condition on eBay at a price a
fraction of the $900+ MSRP. They also look great, too. Almost like the
Marantz receivers from a better time with the aluminum front, elegant
controls,
a beutiful gold finish, and a nice large metal analogue volume knob in the
centre of the front made of aluminum. My only gripe with the Technics
receivers is that their amplifier stages use transistorized IC modules as
opposed to discrete transistor elements. - Reinhart