16 replies to this topic

[zallapo]

I've had nothing but problems with this amp since I got it in April. A Replaced video board, constant HDMI handshaking issues, dropouts, sound pops the list goes on. At the top of the list is this "loud hiss" problem.

When playing any Blu-ray or HD-DVD sent thru PCM to the amp, a loud hiss can be heard when the volume is -15db or higher. Which means the higher the volume, the louder the hiss gets to the point where it's beyond unbearable. Playing a low volume HD-DVD like The Last Samurai, is just ridiculous. All I hear is HISS in the quiet spots (which is half the film). I searched online and read others with the exact same problems but with no solution.

My question is, does anyone know (who have the same amp) if it can be fixed? Or is it another useless piece of technology?
Any help would be muchly appreciated, as I've already considered buying an Onkyo in the new year.

zallapo

[youngstar]

Zallapo,

Sorry to hear about your problems with the STR-DA5300. I have had one since late last year & have no sound issues. Only problem I have had is the well publicised "Black crush" issue with my Xbox 360 (non Elite version). Worked around by connencting the video (component) directly to TV instead of via AMP and then via HDMI to TV.

I have Sony BDP-S550 bitstreaming and PS3 sending PCM to receiver both via HDMI for Blu-ray and have had no problems with sound or hiss. The volume does have to be significantly higher when bitstreaming TrueHD and DTS-MA (probably around the -15dB mark) compared to PCM via the PS3 (around -20dB) for loud action movies.

Also have a LCD TV (optical), Pioneer DVD PVR (optical), Foxtel Pace Satellite (optical), Xbox 360 (optical) and VHS (RCA) hooked up with no hiss issues.

Is it not still under warranty or have Sony told you that it is normal ?

What kind of speakers do you have ? You are connecting Blu-ray/HD-DVD via HDMI not analog RCA's ?

Good luck & hope it gets sorted fast.

youngstar

[zallapo]

Zallapo,

Sorry to hear about your problems with the STR-DA5300. I have had one since late last year & have no sound issues. Only problem I have had is the well publicised "Black crush" issue with my Xbox 360 (non Elite version). Worked around by connencting the video (component) directly to TV instead of via AMP and then via HDMI to TV.

I have Sony BDP-S550 bitstreaming and PS3 sending PCM to receiver both via HDMI for Blu-ray and have had no problems with sound or hiss. The volume does have to be significantly higher when bitstreaming TrueHD and DTS-MA (probably around the -15dB mark) compared to PCM via the PS3 (around -20dB) for loud action movies.

Also have a LCD TV (optical), Pioneer DVD PVR (optical), Foxtel Pace Satellite (optical), Xbox 360 (optical) and VHS (RCA) hooked up with no hiss issues.

Is it not still under warranty or have Sony told you that it is normal ?

What kind of speakers do you have ? You are connecting Blu-ray/HD-DVD via HDMI not analog RCA's ?

Good luck & hope it gets sorted fast.

youngstar

Thanx youngstar for the reply.

It's still under warranty (and have an extended 5 yr aswell), and has already undergone a videoboard replacement. Will give them a call and see if it's a common problem as I've read online. A possible firmware upgrade might do the trick as I could have an earlier model.

So far it's a noticable hiss when on the PS3 XMB and turn the volume up way high from -15dB to 0dB (really loud hiss). I can't bitstream my PS3 and my HD-EP10 HD-DVD player so PCM is the option I choose via HDMI.

I have Dali Concept speakers (fronts and rears) and a Dali Ikon Center. 90% of the time on my PS3 I can't hear the hiss, as I've turned the volume control to +2 so most movies are at -20dB. But HD-DVD's are averaging at around -17dB to -14dB for a nice rich sound and the hiss starts to rear it's ugly head.

If you're not getting this same issue, then it definately sounds like it's fixable, and i think Sony customer tech supprt is a good start.

Really appreciate your feedback and time youngstar, ya gotta love these forums for great help.
Will keep you posted on the situation.

Cheers, zallapo

Edited by zallapo, 16 December 2008 - 04:34 PM.

[LaserSage]

I've had nothing but problems with this amp since I got it in April. A Replaced video board, constant HDMI handshaking issues, dropouts, sound pops the list goes on. At the top of the list is this "loud hiss" problem.

When playing any Blu-ray or HD-DVD sent thru PCM to the amp, a loud hiss can be heard when the volume is -15db or higher. Which means the higher the volume, the louder the hiss gets to the point where it's beyond unbearable. Playing a low volume HD-DVD like The Last Samurai, is just ridiculous. All I hear is HISS in the quiet spots (which is half the film). I searched online and read others with the exact same problems but with no solution.

My question is, does anyone know (who have the same amp) if it can be fixed? Or is it another useless piece of technology?
Any help would be muchly appreciated, as I've already considered buying an Onkyo in the new year.

zallapo

I've had this AVR for a couple of months now and have not experienced any audio noise with a mix of RCA, optical & HDMI inputs. I've not noticed the black-crush video issue since my only non-HDMI source is a sat-tv box.

If you have a nearby Sony store, why not take the unit in so the staff can hear the problem? That may help convince tech support to provide a solution (or replacement).

[Fouler]

Sorry to hear of your issue Zallapo.

I've had mine 5300es since february and not had a problem. I currently have 4 devices through HDMI and one upscaled through Component/Optical (Foxtel). It's only on rare occasions I've had to get above -15dB. I'll try the PS3 tonight with just the XMB and crank it up.

I read somewhere that HDMI Input 6 is best for audio. Have you tried a device through that?

The 5300es comes with a 3 year warranty, and a hiss should definitely be covered.

[zallapo]

Sorry to hear of your issue Zallapo.

I've had mine 5300es since february and not had a problem. I currently have 4 devices through HDMI and one upscaled through Component/Optical (Foxtel). It's only on rare occasions I've had to get above -15dB. I'll try the PS3 tonight with just the XMB and crank it up.

I read somewhere that HDMI Input 6 is best for audio. Have you tried a device through that?

The 5300es comes with a 3 year warranty, and a hiss should definitely be covered.

Cheers LaserSage and Fouler for the feedback.

Will try HDMI 6 as I'm currently using HDMI ports 1 and 2.
It does come with a 3 year warranty. Have emailed customer support with the problem, and will give them a ring in the next few days.
Am just so busy at the mo.

It'd be great if you could try that PS3 XMB test and see what your results are.

-zallapo

[phreek]

Check the grounding of your equipment first.

Do an isolation test. Unplug all inputs and if it's still present then its a fried amp.

I gave up on Sony many years ago when my Sony amp blew up with pops and when I upgraded my speakers I had the same hiss issue at high volumes. Most analogue amps will have some hiss at very high volumes but this was ridiculous.

[Fouler]

Checked out the PS3 XMB and got up to +5dB before I began to hear a hiss, the 'clicking' when moving across the menu were normal.

And after phreek's suggestion, let us know about your results from Sony.

[zallapo]

Checked out the PS3 XMB and got up to +5dB before I began to hear a hiss, the 'clicking' when moving across the menu were normal.

And after phreek's suggestion, let us know about your results from Sony.

Phreek maybe right, it could definately be fried. The video board had fried a few months ago and was replaced, it could of happened then am not sure.
Cheers for checking the levels, +5dB before you began to hear a hiss is what mine should be doing. and looks like yours is working perfectly.

Will explain to the Sony techs that this is what it should be doing, and fingers crossed it can be fixed. At least it has pin pointed that I have a faulty product.
Sucks just not knowing if it's isolated or not.

Thanx again, zallapo

[zallapo]

I read somewhere that HDMI Input 6 is best for audio. Have you tried a device through that?

Tried HDMI port 6 and all the others and still the same results. I also noticed that bumping up the bass or treble on the EQ added alot more hiss/noise to the amp.

Edited by zallapo, 17 December 2008 - 03:08 AM.

[EasterBunny]

Ive got a 5300ES and usually run it at around -6db for movies and just turned it all the way up to +23db (no source running) and background hiss level didn't change much at all. So yours would probably be faulty. Has it always done this and didn't the techs pick this up when they replaced the other stuff? It is covered by a decent warranty so they do have to fix it, or replace it, who knows you might get a new 5400es out of it.

Edit: Forgot to ask. It is ALL channels that have hiss and not just the rear ones?

Edited by EasterBunny, 17 December 2008 - 04:04 PM.

[zallapo]

Ive got a 5300ES and usually run it at around -6db for movies and just turned it all the way up to +23db (no source running) and background hiss level didn't change much at all. So yours would probably be faulty. Has it always done this and didn't the techs pick this up when they replaced the other stuff? It is covered by a decent warranty so they do have to fix it, or replace it, who knows you might get a new 5400es out of it.

Edit: Forgot to ask. It is ALL channels that have hiss and not just the rear ones?

I can turn it all the way up when optical is fed thru it via bitstreaming without any hiss, but sending it via PCM on the PS3 and HD-DVD player gives the hiss.
I've had it since April, and only used the optical inputs for audio. Then, when I got my new bravia in July, I noticed the HDMI video switcher didn't work and got it replaced. So, unfortunatley I'm not sure if it was always like this since day 1 as I was bitstreaming in the first few months.

It's noise in ALL the speakers.

Will go to the Sony repair shop prob in the new year as i want to be using it over chrissy. And hopefully this time they replace the whole unit, not just componenets here and there.

Cheers for your testing.

Edited by zallapo, 17 December 2008 - 05:17 PM.

[youngstar]

Zallapo,

May not be the problem since you also have the problem with HD-DVD, but you should set the volume control on the PS3 to the middle value (zero 0 I think it is). Do not have it at +1 or +2.

Good luck,
youngstar

[zallapo]

Zallapo,

May not be the problem since you also have the problem with HD-DVD, but you should set the volume control on the PS3 to the middle value (zero 0 I think it is). Do not have it at +1 or +2.

Good luck,
youngstar

It's at +2 at the moment. I had to boost it up for a few movies which are mastered lower than usual ie. Iron man, Indiana Jones IV. Will put it back to zero
tonight, thanx for the heads up.

[Pearcey9]

I was just wondering if any one solved this issue?
i have a Sony Strda 5300es and i have exactly this same issue I normally have my movie set at -20db and never any higher and their is a loud hiss from all speakers. this only happens on my ps3 output which i am using HDMI, i also have my xbox 360 using HDMI but it does not hiss like the blu ray PS3. it is kind of annoying.

[Basil]

Fellas,do a Google there was a thread on Whirlpool on the 5300,i think a poster said they were recalled(or replaced) in the USA.


Whirlpool Thread

Edited by Basil, 23 February 2009 - 07:52 PM.

[Neon Kitten]

Hi guys - this may or may not be relevant - I just got a 3400ES and am having the same problem with loud hiss on LPCM inputs.

Details here: http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtop...t&p=1272521

I think given the above I might be better off just demanding a refund and buying another brand of receiver.