Audio Systems: Left and right channels intermitant, seattle wa area, volume control knob

Question
I have an old (8 years +?) Onkyo TX-SV515PROII receiver that started developing problems a year or so ago. When I turn on the receiver only one channel (sometimes left, sometimes right) will not work. I turn the volume control knob rapidly up and down (never past the 1/2 way mark) a couple of times and the malfunctioning channel comes to life and works fine until the next time I turn on the receiver. Then the same thing happens all over again. The problem was rare at first and is now happening ever time. Now I can not get the left channel to come on at all no matter what I do. I am considering getting it repaired. Any guesses as to how much a repair might cost me in the Seattle, WA area? Thanks for any insight you can share, Greg Lewis

Answer
Dear Greg,

No, I have no idea what the audio repair scale is in Seattle. However, I do know that a reputable shop will approach repairs this way: they'll charge you up front 1/2 hour's labor to diagnose and price the repair. If you choose to have them do the repair, the 1/2 hour's labor charge will be credited against the total cost. You have to authorize the repair and the total cost. If you choose not to make the repairs (say, the cost of the repairs is greater than the cost of a replacement unit--not all that unusual), you're out the 1/2 hour's labor charge.

The hourly labor rate in Washington, DC, where I am, is $125, so whenever I take something in to the shop, the up front cost is $62.50.

Good luck. And thanks for choosing allexperts.com!

Kindest regards,

Kevin