Pio vsx-1121-k dying? Service, Sell or Trash It?

LesH

I'm assuming the unit has an issue with the ROM. Port, circuit, power, amps and everything all seem to be fine.

One night about a week or two ago, when I turned my Pioneer VSX-1121-k on it started flashing UE22. I could see video over HDMI, but no audio was making it to the speakers. Searched, downloaded latest firmware, flashed firmware, no more UE22 error code, checked audio, went to bed.

The next day, same UE22 error code flashing. I checked the software version and to my dismay it changed from latest revision number 1-204-087-119-093 to 1-204-087-***-093. The numbers were really replaced with asterisks. Flashed firmware again. Reset to factory defaults. Flashed firmware again.

Everything continued to work just fine for a while longer but sound was very off as the unit was not set up. Finally had the opportunity to run MCACC and set up speakers yesterday. Last night, movie time, turned unit on to find no audio, video only and UE22 flashing. After a 15 min rant, I just flashed & reset the unit so we could watch the movie.

I purchased this this two years ago (tomorrow) from Newegg. I researched, shopped and waited for the price point for a very, very long time.

So, the big questions are:
- Is this unit even worth trying to have repaired?
- Should I just sell it on craigslist (full disclaimer) and try to get $50-100 for the unit?
- Should I toss the damn junky thing into the trash?
- What could I get to replace the unit? (for about $300-$500 bucks on a hopeful black-friday deal)

I don't want to go crazy with the research again which is why I am asking you guys. I'm only powering a pair of Monitor 70s and a CS2. There's a PSW505 on the side. A high-end Sony TV and apple TV use the HDMI right now. Pretty simple setup.

chumlie

Keep the one you have and get another for $399.

ken brydson

1222K currently at Costco for $469. Big step up IMO...

tonyb

ken brydson wrote: »

1222K currently at Costco for $469. Big step up IMO...

Agreed.....isn't worth shipping back and forth somewhere plus costs to repair.

However, maybe open it up and see if it's a simple fix, loose wire, blown fuse, maybe a board went south. If your handy that is, if not....go with the suggestion above.

LesH

Unfortunately nothing mechanical or circuit wise seems wrong with the unit. I'm inclined to think that it is a ROM chip issue and would require soldering a new chip on a board. I have a feeling that the chip would have to be pre-programmed or "formatted" also. None of which I have the skill or tools to accomplish.

Thanks for pointing me to the 1222k. I pretty much just want to buy something on recommendation to get me back where I was and move on with my life. (I am inclined to stay away from Pioneer now, but every manufacturing line run, season and year do tend to be different.)

nooshinjohn

I would jump up to the SC's if you can. As far as selling it with known issues, I would not as my integrity is worth more than a Benjamin or two.

B Run

I bet you'd still be able to get $50 for it with full disclosure of what is going on, and that put towards to cost of the 1222 wouldn't be a bad deal at all. I really like Pioneer as far as reliability, even though yours didn't work out I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

LesH

Yes, when I said Full Disclosure earlier I meant I would reveal all issues. I once sold a G5 iMac with major problems for $50. I disclosed that I took a screwdriver to the logic board to manually break off each soldered on ram chip in a final attempt to resolve kernel panics. Sometimes people want the parts.

LesH

Ah, I see in my original post I miswrote disclaimer instead of disclosure.

Ronster267

I had problems with my 1121-k about 8 months ago. Thinking there was nothing else to be done, I called Pioneer for support. I was very disappointed with the attitude of the rep, as he walked me through troubleshooting the non functioning receiver, (he talked to me as if he was talking to my 13 yr. old daughter). We then got disconnected and I called back. The new rep was much more professional and we pretty much landed on a bad HDMI board which could be repaired at my expense. Figuring I had a 30 lb. paper weight on my hands, I then tore into it, spraying out all connections with circuit board cleaner. I then put it back together, plugged it back in and it started working again. I had just performed a firmware upgrade, and consulted the AVS forum. It looks as though the firmware upgrade was probably the culprit. All I do know is that I was disappointed with the customer service of Pioneer, and got lucky finding a fix. Did you recently perform a firmware upgrade? If not, before you through it out or try to offload it, take the time to remove the outer cover and spray out the entire thing, HDMI board and all connections with circuit board cleaner. It will either work, or you will be in about the same situation you are now. I would not hesitate to buy another Pioneer despite the poor treatment I received. These things are produced in mass, and a few will get out that will not make the long haul, not just Pioneer but almost any brand. I am still very happy with the 1121-k and will probably get an SC as soon as I feel the need to upgrade.

Ronster267

I had problems with my 1121-k about 8 months ago. Thinking there was nothing else to be done, I called Pioneer for support. I was very disappointed with the attitude of the rep, as he walked me through troubleshooting the non functioning receiver, (he talked to me as if he was talking to my 13 yr. old daughter). We then got disconnected and I called back. The new rep was much more professional and we pretty much landed on a bad HDMI board which could be repaired at my expense. Figuring I had a 30 lb. paper weight on my hands, I then tore into it, spraying out all connections with circuit board cleaner. I then put it back together, plugged it back in and it started working again. I had just performed a firmware upgrade, and consulted the AVS forum. It looks as though the firmware upgrade was probably the culprit. All I do know is that I was disappointed with the customer service of Pioneer, and got lucky finding a fix. Did you recently perform a firmware upgrade? If not, before you through it out or try to offload it, take the time to remove the outer cover and spray out the entire thing, HDMI board and all connections with circuit board cleaner. It will either work, or you will be in about the same situation you are now. I would not hesitate to buy another Pioneer despite the poor treatment I received. These things are produced in mass, and a few will get out that will not make the long haul, not just Pioneer but almost any brand. I am still very happy with the 1121-k and will probably get an SC as soon as I feel the need to upgrade.