Pioneer Tuner Question: I have an old Pioneer tuner in the garage connected to a pair of big 1970's AR (Acoustic Research) speakers. Over the past few days, it has been cutting out...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have an old Pioneer tuner in the garage connected to a pair of big 1970's AR (Acoustic Research) speakers. Over the past few days, it has been cutting out occasionally for maybe ten seconds. The other radio keeps playing, so it's not the station cutting out. Today, I saw "Overload" flashing in the display when it went silent. Obviously, it's overloaded and is taking a break. So, what's going on?

Bill MN Loc: Western MN

jerryc41 wrote:

I have an old Pioneer tuner in the garage connected to a pair of big 1970's AR (Acoustic Research) speakers. Over the past few days, it has been cutting out occasionally for maybe ten seconds. The other radio keeps playing, so it's not the station cutting out. Today, I saw "Overload" flashing in the display when it went silent. Obviously, it's overloaded and is taking a break. So, what's going on?

Good grief Jerry !!!!!!!! that's older than you. :-D

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Could be any number of issues. They don't last forever. Both my old (1974) Pioneer and Harmon Kardon (1975) receivers have scratchy potentiometers and switches, failing capacitors that "motorboat" if the volume is too high, and other issues. If I kick them just right, they sound okay for an hour or two...

If I plug my iPhone or a portable CD player directly into their amps, bypassing the tuner/preamp section, they sound great.

jbeejay80120 Loc: Littleton, Co 80120

Not sure I can help but some of the old connections on the speakers were just spring clamps and the wiring needs to be re-terminated. Just verify your wiring is making a good connection to both speakers. Tuner seems to indicate it can't drive the load without heating to a temp that triggers the overload. Does the tuner have a fan? Bad fan could be the problem.

handgunner Loc: Windsor Locks, Connecticut

jerryc41 wrote:

I have an old Pioneer tuner in the garage connected to a pair of big 1970's AR (Acoustic Research) speakers. Over the past few days, it has been cutting out occasionally for maybe ten seconds. The other radio keeps playing, so it's not the station cutting out. Today, I saw "Overload" flashing in the display when it went silent. Obviously, it's overloaded and is taking a break. So, what's going on?

Jerry ... I have an old Radio Shack Receiver made by Pioneer back in the early '80's. It's got 640 watts total power. It is pushing 4/18" woofers, 2/12" rears, and a set of 6" centers. This sucker generates some heat. Mine has a huge heat sink inside and maybe a fan to cool it. (Does it run for a few and shut down?) You might want to pull off the cover and see if the sink is clogged. If it is full of dust bunnies that have grown up to full grown rabbits, that might be the culprit. There might be a little city in there. Carefully dust and vacuum it out and see if the fan (if any)is working.
Keep us posted

twowindsbear

Evict the rats, mice & other assorted vermin from the insides of the tuner, clean out any dust & dirt, especially from any heatsinks and fans, look for any components that show damage.

If this is not successful, accept the fact that electronic 'things' have a finite life & that you've gotten your money's worth, junk it & replace it.

Good luck

jbeejay80120 Loc: Littleton, Co 80120

Found this on E bay--just in case yours dies.

Vintage-PIONEER-TX-7500-Stereo-AM-FM-Tuner-WORKS-GREAT
Vintage-PIONEER-TX-7500-Stereo-AM-FM-Tuner-WORKS-GREAT
Vintage-PIONEER-TX-7500-Stereo-AM-FM-Tuner-WORKS-GREAT
Vintage-PIONEER-TX-7500-Stereo-AM-FM-Tuner-WORKS-GREAT
Vintage-PIONEER-TX-7500-Stereo-AM-FM-Tuner-WORKS-GREAT
Vintage-PIONEER-TX-7500-Stereo-AM-FM-Tuner-WORKS-GREAT

View full description
Details about Vintage PIONEER TX-7500 Stereo AM/FM Tuner WORKS GREAT!

jbeejay80120 Loc: Littleton, Co 80120

Forgot, the e bay tuners was $85

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

jbeejay80120 wrote:

Not sure I can help but some of the old connections on the speakers were just spring clamps and the wiring needs to be re-terminated. Just verify your wiring is making a good connection to both speakers. Tuner seems to indicate it can't drive the load without heating to a temp that triggers the overload. Does the tuner have a fan? Bad fan could be the problem.

Glomming onto this response, I'd add that a short in any of the speaker wires will cause most receivers either to blow a fuse or trip a protection circuit. If it's a high resistance short, you might still hear some sound until the heat trips the thermal breaker or fuse... It's worth checking the continuity of your speaker wires and the connections at all ends, to make sure no wires are touching or shorting through dirt, dead bugs, etc.

It's also worth checking speakers if you have another receiver. Sometimes the voice coils can short if you get a little overenthusiastic with the volume :P as my friend did while playing his guitar through my receiver's mic input once. I had to replace several midrange drivers and tweeters and the crossover network in my EV 3-ways.

Sirsnapalot Loc: Hammond, Louisiana

jerryc41 wrote:

I have an old Pioneer tuner in the garage connected to a pair of big 1970's AR (Acoustic Research) speakers. Over the past few days, it has been cutting out occasionally for maybe ten seconds. The other radio keeps playing, so it's not the station cutting out. Today, I saw "Overload" flashing in the display when it went silent. Obviously, it's overloaded and is taking a break. So, what's going on?

Sorry I can't help but I have one that I purchased in the 70's that drives a pair of huge Marantz speakers and my TV's surround sound system, I use daily, so far no such problem! One of the best electronic buys I've ever made!

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

get yourself a medium priced Yamaha. They will probably out class a 45 yo Pioneer that is circling the drain.

handgunner Loc: Windsor Locks, Connecticut

foathog wrote:

get yourself a medium priced Yamaha. They will probably out class a 45 yo Pioneer that is circling the drain.

I've been looking into a Yamaha. Kind of procrastinating. My old receiver still works fine. My hearing isn't what it used to be so I doubt I'll notice the difference.

handgunner Loc: Windsor Locks, Connecticut

jerryc41 wrote:

I have an old Pioneer tuner in the garage connected to a pair of big 1970's AR (Acoustic Research) speakers. Over the past few days, it has been cutting out occasionally for maybe ten seconds. The other radio keeps playing, so it's not the station cutting out. Today, I saw "Overload" flashing in the display when it went silent. Obviously, it's overloaded and is taking a break. So, what's going on?

You said it is for your garage... I would clean it out and check the connections. Is your garage damp? I would not have it repaired. Like TVs... you don't fix em' any more you launch them and buy a new one. Since it is for your garage, you might look into buying a trade in or refurbished, or better yet check the want ads in the newspaper. I see quite a few at yard sales.

steve Loc: Iowa

Hi Jerry. i also enjoy the Old stuff. May be a bad cap(capacitor?
Old electronics tend to denigrate after 30 some years.Like us. :). I have some old Altec / Lansing, Dennon, & Yamaha componets. luv em.

FredCM Loc: Central Illinois

If that's a Pioneer 828, it's one of the coolest looking receivers made. Fix it Jerry, it's eye candy. I lusted after one of those back then. Sigh.