Audio Systems: surround sound cuts out, sound speakers, weird problem

Question
Hi. I have a 5.1 Dolby surround sound installed in my home, and am experiencing a weird problem. I start up playing a dvd, and for a while everything is working perfectly. Then without warning, the surround sound speakers will go dead, and resist my efforts to get them to reactivate. If I wait a few days and try again, they will work, but it's just a matter of time before they zap out again. I'm sure the settings are right, and I've checked the connections... I'm stumped. Any idea?

Answer
Your receiver is most likely going into thermal overload. It sounds like there is a short or virtual short at the speaker output. Unless it's a new receiver you risk the chance of burning out the output stage by continuing to use it until you fix the problem. Start by inspecting all connections on both amplifier and speaker ends. Make sure that you do not have more that two speakers connected to a channel and check the impedances. If you still don't find the problem disconnect one speaker at a time and see if the receiver remains on with one speaker working. Let me know if that solved the problem.