Pioneer VSX-9500S Receiver - repair & testing

*viewer submitted unit

[@RHJ3]

Super vid. My 9500s has a finicky display, after watching this I feel confident I can repair the cold solders myself, thank you!

[@gordthor5351]

You are a perfectionist my friend. You not only fix the problems meticulously, but also go over the factory shortcomings (like cheaping out on solder) and clean the dust out. A few years ago I noticed a lot of (new damaged in shipping) Marantz 6005 CD players for sale, so I bought a few and they all had cold solder joints on the heatsinks, which ended up ripped off the pad on both voltage regulators. I'm sure you came across similar problems and that is why you made sure the heatsinks don't move if someone sets down their receiver a little to hard (or even lasting through shipping). It's physics, if the unit stops dead the heavy heatsinks will keep moving if they aren't fastened properly to the board. You do very nice work. I can tell that you take pride in your work and your reputation.

[@g.d.1722]

What a joy to see this working again! I love the look of the 80's - 90's receivers. I have owned a few over the years, although not his model ... perhaps one day... Nice 80's era rock to go with the vintage LOL, I love it!

[@audioman3017]

The music on this channel never disappoints \m/

[@luvradios]

AM301, Thanks so much man, thanks for watching also.

[@GUENILLA]

Absolutely

[@TurntableGuy]

These old Pro-Logic and early Dolby-Digital monsters still fly below the radar and can be picked up quite cheaply.

[@PoppinWheeliez]

You are 100% correct. In Calgary guys are starting to ask noth of 200 bones for them and in the same search a whole system with speakers for $100. LoL

[@RobertMillerJustme]

I just bought a VSX-9500S for $50 same issues as this one on the top cold soilder joints - that got the radio back on but still issues with the dolby side just like this one so came searching

[@bpalpha]

What an extraordinary dpl receiver from pioneer! Marvelous. Glad to see it return to duty. 👍

[@williammanganaro9070]

Very good video. Makes you wonder if the original owner covered the top of the receiver and allowed excessive heat to build up inside the unit. I just luckily got myself one of these VSX-9500 receivers in near mint condition. This video gives me an idea of the things that can go wrong with it and how to disassemble it. Nice work isolating the RAM chip BTW ;-)

[@craigm.9070]

This unit looks pretty good on the inside, a little heat patch on the main board, looked like a ton of bad solder joints. Manufacturers must have really skimped on solder during that period (mid 90's?), or a poor formula. Another great save for the customer to enjoy for years to come! Thanks for posting this.

[@luvradios]

Craig, Thanks for watching as always!

[@danielknepper6884]

When these were made they switched from lead to lead free solder so yeah lots of trouble joints

[@dmcintosh1967]

I justed started work on a pioneer sx-v400 A/V receiver. The receiver powers on and the speaker relay comes out of protect, but it's very quiet and distorted no matter were the volume is set and on any source. When push the volume buttons you get ticking sound from the speakers too. I found some of that circuteborad glue on the main board and the glue has gone bad. My fist step is to clean the glue off of all the components and see how it function. Then continue on from there.

[@leschner]

Hello! My vsx-7500s stopped working. It turns ON, display is ON (although it looks a bit different) but I don't hear the relay "click", so there's no sound. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you!

[@timwimer5370]

Love the music you have on ..Y and T yeah

[@luvradios]

Thanks for checking out the video man!

[@TheKeymaster316]

Do you have any experience with the Pioneer VSX-9900S? Me and a friend both have this unit and after looking online, we've discovered that we all have the same issue with this receiver. If you try to listen through any of the inputs while in any of the surround modes, you get a horrible static "noise", is the best I can describe it. The only way to get around it is to put it in "Direct" mode, which allows you to hear the music cleanly, but renders most of the options on the receiver useless at this point. If you have any insight to what causes this, or if you would be up to troubleshooting one, please let me know. Thank you, I really enjoy your videos and the way you troubleshoot these issues.

[@biga8230]

You do fantastic work! Great watch. Wish you could fix up my Kenwood kr-9600! 😊

[@Chebon61413]

I have a pioneer vsx d1s clicks when you turn on the unit, but no sound. Any thoughts? Thanks

[@monemone3538]

انت فنان

[@monemone3538]

لدي نفس الجهاز ولاكن هناك مشكلة في الشاشة ولا اعلم كيف اصلاحها ارجو المساعدة

[@sunnyjay137]

pioneer VSX-1020 pqls flashing--- Had no problems over past 11 years until the past couple of weeks. We now have a repeatedly shuts down and the blinking PQLS red light and will not power on. But when I power unplug and re-plug there is click in sound which show it was ON but only show blinking PQLS red light nothing else. I tryed all speaker and HDMI unplug but same as it is.

[@luvradios]

That sounds like the firmware is bricked or more likely the HDMI/network board is bad.

[@sidschuster3972]

Do you still work on customers radios??

[@Dexter649]

Just imagine testing a THX certified LaserDisc

[@luvradios]

I regret never buying the official Pioneer test disc for LD but they wanted some crazy amountof money for it.

[@kenmcmillen7212]

I have the vsx-9700s and I watched your video repairing one. Unfortunately I think the big main board is done for. It's pretty burnt in those spots you pointed out that gets hot. Really wanted to fix it up but I don't think you can find that board.

[@luvradios]

Ken, thanks for watching! The board is def not available, I'm not sure it ever was. Is there a hole burned in it?

[@kenmcmillen7212]

@@luvradios no holes but definitely burnt to the point that almost everything In that area wasn't connected to the board no more. I may try to run jumper wires when I replace those parts. Mine powers on, 1 click and no sound. Preamp puts out sound but has a hum as well. No blown fuses. I am going to test things out and follow your videos on the 9700 but I'm suspecting the problem is in that burnt area these all get

[@dayfornight88]

Found the 9990s at vv for five bucks It's Power force of three-point stereo sound

[@robertbourque5010]

Hi there, I have a vsx-5700 series receiver that I've owned and loved for 30+ years. I've never had any issues with it until yesterday when my volume levels are no longer responding to the remote control. I'm assuming that the volume button must have a drive motor of sorts and must be burned out. Have you ever encountered this issue? Also, how hard is it to find a motor and actually do the replacement?

[@luvradios]

Robert, thanks for checking out the video! Doubtful the motor is bad, mst likely a loose connection at the board where the motor is soldered or possibly a broken piece inside the gear housing. When you use the remote to adjust the volume does the led on the volume knob blink?

[@STEVEM730]

Had the same issue with mine, it wound up being the remote itself took it apart cleaned all of the carbon pads it works great now.

[@1djdoza]

First of all Love your work! I’ve been working on a vsx9900 and looking to replace a g5z-2a relay. Problem I’m running into is that everything on the net is made in china. What do you think of parts coming from china? Or should I just buy another parts receiver?

[@luvradios]

DJ, Thanks for checking out the video! I would probably have no issue with a relay from China but I never buy any semiconductors from there as most of the NOS are rejects from the original transistor run or worse they are just poorly made copies that in no way are close to original specs.

[@capbubba]

I have a VSX 5700s that has similar channel issues. no center and left. thinking you should make a 5700 video.;)

[@luvradios]

If all the other channels but those two are working you might wanna check for a loose connection.

[@capbubba]

Will do thanks for the advice 👍👍👍

[@jaimemendoza2810]

Tengo un apmlifocador como este donde lo puedo llevar a reparar soy de irapuato

[@jewllake]

I have a pioneer VSX D1s. What's your opinion on those? I just had to have some capacitors replaced as it started humming through the speakers and then it was very difficult to get it to turn on. All is good with it now.

[@luvradios]

The D1s is a fine receiver, I wanted all analog so i went with the 9700S but the one you have has same amp/outputs (I think) very loud receiver.

[@lostrelicsyoccm8304]

Do you happen to know the cap specs on the rear amp assembly board

[@lostrelicsyoccm8304]

I think it's CEHAQ101M10 can't see anything on them

[@etets444]

Hey there man. Remember the Kenwood KRC 99 you previously fixed? I’m looking for one and unfortunately finding one is really hard. I’m a big enthusiast. Do you think I can get in contact with the viewer that sent you that radio for repairment. I’d like to send him an email if that’s possible. Do you think you can help? Please and thank you! Much appreciated!

[@luvradios]

Unfortunately I didn't keep his contact info but I bet eventually he'll revisit that video so you might want to write something in the comments there.

[@t0ad]

Do those ribbon cables just not come out? I was trying to figure out if theres some special tool for disconnecting them on my vsx-501 but looks like you just ripped them out lol. Also im aware my 501 is kinda garbage I just want the practice as I'm quite new to amp repair.

[@luvradios]

Depending on which type (color) of connector you are trying release the wire from will depend of what you need to do: GRAY Connectors - for these you will need to grasp each side and slightly pull up, this will release the lock and the wire will come out. WHITE Connectors - for these you will need to push down on the connector along the edge where the wire goes in, push down while using a flat blade screwdriver and slightly pulling up on the wire, this might require pushing on each end and the center to fully release the wire.

[@toneyisaiah3556]

What year was that stereo receiver made?

[@luvradios]

I think 89-90

[@agoesompuakas9980]

Mr, can you help me, i have same with you, but d'not on

[@lumpygasinavacuum8449]

I hope you read this I need help with my vax 92 do you want to make a video?

[@luvradios]

If you have a VSX-92TX I believe that’s a full digital HDMI receiver and unfortunately I don’t do any service on those.

[@stevensilisavagejr8740]

I have a pioneer receiver 9500 that will not power up