Pioneer VSX-9700S Receiver - pt.1 eval & testing

*personal project

[@VB-bk1lh]

I've got a very similar 9900S that's a few years newer than that. The 9900S plays fine but developed a loud hum on all channels that's present at all times. I actually had another one that was replaced under warranty that did the same thing when it was almost new. About 3 years afterwards the replacement failed the same way, its still sitting in my closet upstairs. I also have two D1S receivers that have been used very sparingly over the years, the first one was bought with matching S-T500 speakers, a cassette deck, and CD player. I don't think I ever took the cassette deck out of the box, nor the Eq it came with. I had a 9700S for while but can't remember what happened to that one, I don't think its still here. It did coexist here with the 9900S and D1S, and I always thought the D1S sounded the best with better detail and sound stage. I never used any of them as a surround receiver, only for two channel stereo.

[@mikeberndt181]

That is a top shelf receiver. Had one, excellent tuner and great specs on the amp. It would’ve belonged to the elite class if it existed then.

[@saltwater102]

Glad to see you finally got one, looking forward to part 2.

[@stevehoward1980]

VSX 9900s they put Elite the name Elite name on first receiver to be elite I have two plus the 9700 I like 9700 more just by looks and controls feel .

[@luvradios]

Steve, thanks for checking out the video and I 100% agree, the 9700's control panel layout is much sleeker then the 9900

[@PackardDog]

Great video. I have a VSX 5300 in great shape but I need a power button assembly. The original one is cracked and lacks the spring and centering groove. Any clue on where I can source one? Thanks!

[@luvradios]

Dave, thanks for watching! I believe that plastic button is made into the face mask, if thats the case you will have to remove the face and the front panel CBA thats screwed to it and make the repair directly, if its a separate piece then your only option would be to find a used part.

[@PackardDog]

@@luvradios Yep, I already tried that, I glued the broken button together and used a spring i had laying around but the slide rails were to far gone ... got it to work ..kind of, the whole button needs to be replaced. I guess I'll keep an eye out for a replacement part. On another note, I just found a factory remote for this model on ebay tonight and pulled the trigger on it for 18.00 any idea if the old school remote turns the unit on and off? I know some of the earlier models you still had to physicallly push the power button. Thanks again.

[@luvradios]

Dave, assuming the power switch on the 5300 is a momentary tact switch then the power should be able to be controlled with the remote.

[@PackardDog]

@@luvradios Perfect. Thanks!

[@angelrivera2943]

@@luvradios i have pioneer audio video stereo receiver model vsx 406 is a there any way you can help me with this no display and no sound but it does turn on

[@81sriram]

Hi I have question regarding VSX-51 Elite that came around same time in 1991. I have one for sale locally for a cheap price. Can this be recapped and used now? Is it worth the effort and cost? Thanks. I haven't tested the unit yet, but the seller says it still works great. I haven't yet looked at the insides of the unit.

[@luvradios]

If I remember correctly the VSX-51 has hdmi capability which would make it way newer than 91 and (IMO) not really necessary to recap, the biggest concern for these models is a high failure rate of the hdmi/digital board.

[@jerryking7502]

It is an awesome receiver, although mine makes a loud pop and goes out after a minute. The graph keeps working though....I don't know where to start. Pioneer SVX-9700s...

[@luvradios]

could be a loose connection, remove the bottom panel and look at the solder around the voltage regulator’s, this would be a good first step.

[@jerryking7502]

@@luvradios Is this the area you mention as discoloured from heat?

[@RobertMillerJustme]

LOL I just bought one last night for the same reason to replace a demon - I paid $50 for it and has a teribble hissing sound will be either the power supply or a short started looking for other repair video - I am retire and teaching myself repairs.

[@nikobuerk346]

mine does this too. any idea why?

[@ayuningtiyas2515]

Kalo mau serpis pioner AB ngak punsi alamat lengkap dimana..

[@yupimbackk]

i have one like that. I got it in 1990 i think.

[@luvradios]

You have one of the last true analog power house Pioneer receivers my friend !

[@evandrojose7847]

Eu gostaria de comprar o esquema desse aparelhos

[@PurpleDreki]

Pioneer could be cheap and luxurious at the same time. Lol I was never a fan of their heatsink design.

[@luvradios]

True enough! It's actually a sweet receiver for the time but there was just so much that had to go into a small space so they downsized the heatsinks of those regulators to save space.

[@larrydaigle5254]

Can anyone tell me to unplug ribbon cables, is there a locking tab, or just pull off? Don’t want to just pull off! Thanks

[@luvradios]

Which particular cable are you referring to?

[@larrydaigle5254]

@@luvradios sorry for being vague! They have white and grey plugs that hold the ribbon wires in place! The 80’s or so line of pioneer vsx home receivers! Like the 9300,9500,9700, and 9900 units! Probably many more or all of them! I used to repair the 60 and 70 units that made them to repair! Retired now and got back into it! Running in to the newer ones now, and ?? Rather than unsoldering many joints, I mean many, and to cut the time 10 fold, I am trying to figure out the trick to unlock the ribbon and release it, like they were designed to do! Thanks for your input! I have gotten some helpful tips on Audiokarma forums! I don’t see how to add pictures like on the forums! Thanks again!

[@luvradios]

@@larrydaigle5254, There are (2) types of these connectors, in one version you can see the holes the cable is going down into, on this one you have to slightly press down next to the cable while pulling it from the connector, you may have to press down on both the right and left side to fully release the wires. In the 2nd version you will grab the sides of the top part of the locking connector and pull up on it which will release the tension holding the wire.

[@larrydaigle5254]

@@luvradios thanks it’s greatly appreciated! Nice that there still a few left willing to shoot some help around!!!

[@locutiss100]

how could a "technician" overlook such an obvious thing such as missing jumpers? as for the rear and centre another overlooked simple switch on the fron was off.

[@danielknepper6884]

It's clear you do not work on these for a living. It's quite common to miss obvious things while you're working on the not-so-obvious.