Alex C wrote:
"Mark D. Zacharias" wrote in message
...
Solder connection(s) at one or more relays? I was going to suggest
solder connections at the rear panel, which ought to be checked
anyway, but the reference to the "click" made me think of the relay.

Mark Z.

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"Alex C" wrote in message
om...
I have had a Sony STR-DE875 amplifier for nearly two problem free
years. It now seems that a couple of channels are dropping out
occasionally predominantly with the centre speaker although there
is a very noticable degredation of sound accross the the front three
speakers.

I have done the test tones when the channels have dropped and the
centre one is completely missing at this point.

There is also an intermittant audible "click" when the unit has
failed much like the click when the unit is switched on.

I do have two units on top of the amp (sky and dvd) but these have
always been there and have not caused any problems in the past. I
have seen a few messages that mention overheating but why would the
unit be overheating now and not before.

Many thanks


Alex

Thanks guys

I would definitely rearrange your setup. It could be that the cumulative
effect of long term, low grade overheating has caused your
problem...assuming it's internal. The very first thing I would check,
however, is all every speaker connection. Sounds stupid, but one little
'whisker' of wire protruding out of a speaker connector shorting against the
chassis 'could' cause your symptoms. Likewise a loose screw terminal; or
corrosion or weak spring on a spring terminal.

I've seen all of the above...in a addition to people inserting the insulated
portion of the lead into a spring terminal. The wire itself was not
actually clamped, but was 'just' touching internally--enough to 'usually'
work.

jak