Pioneer vsx-d511 When I turn on my receiver it will click on for about 5 seconds then it will flash "AMP ERR". I take it that it has something to do with the internal amps. Does anyone have any information on what is wrong with my receiver and what can be done to fix this problem? If it needs professional work done on it, any estimates? thanks

Clark, you MIGHT have a simple problem here. Let's keep our fingers crossed... This problem generally has more to do with the speaker WIRES or their IMPEDENCE than anything else, even though the receiver displays "AMP ERR." (Technically, it IS an amp error, but the source MAY not be the amp!) The very FIRST thing we need to do is check to make certain ALL of your speakers have an IMPEDENCE of 8 OHMS. (Pioneer says 6, but that's not necessarily a good recommendation, particularly if you listen LOUD.) Virtually all speakers of even modest quality will include this specification on a label on the back of the speaker. You CANNOT run more than (2) TWO speakers with 4 OHMs impedence on ANY amplifier (technical discussion too long!) [NOTE: Your receiver has internal overload protection systems to prevent permanent damage. On SOME Pioneer models, these can be "reset" but you can't do it yourself. Your dealer or authorized service center must do so.] But, before you take it in for service, there is one more "test": check for shorted and/or mis-connected/disconnected speaker cables/wires. 1) Visually inspect connections at the receiver AND speakers. You might find something obvious! Look for bare wires touching one another. Again, you must look both at the receiver, AND at the speakers. 2) If everything looks okay, then disconnect ALL of the speakers at the receiver; and reconnect and test them one at a time (at relatively low volume.) For example, reconnect the left front speaker, test the system; THEN add the right front, test the system, and so on, ADDING one more speaker each time - FIRST MAKING SURE EACH OF THEM HAS AN IMPEDENCE OF AT LEAST 8 OHMS! IF there is a short (or bad speaker) this will help isolate it. Hopefully one of these simple fixes will get you up-and-running. Good luck!