Receiver turns for a fews seconds then shuts down (by 5 users)

Most of the time it has a blown channel, when it shuts off just seconds after turing it on, it is know as the protect mode. It shuts down to prevent further damage.

The repair cost for this type of problem is normally about $125 to $150 depending on just how much damage has been done to the bad channel. It can be different in every case, but normally it is just a couple of output transistors, a few resistors, and then a couple of driver transistors. The parts are the least of the exspense, the labor is what costs the most. These are very high tech pieces of equipment and can not be repaired by laymen without the proper training.

Nobody can tell what is the exact problem without at least going inside and checking it out first. The shop one of you took it to and they quoted you $350 for the repair without looking at it is because they must offer free estimates. They must be able to cover almost any situation that could be the problem and still keep within the estimate. Most of the really good shops will charge a fee for an estimate and that way you find out what is really wrong with it. No shop wants to work for free, so if you get a free estimate, you are really only getting a free "guess". Sometimes it takes an hour or so to just be certain of the damage to a unit. You can not do that kind of work for free and stay in business.

Let me know if any of you require any more help.

Dave