The volume on the left channel on my old (20+ yrs) Denon stereo receiver is too low intermittently, usually until it warms up from use, and sometimes after. Ideas?

To add a 2-channel amplifier to your Denon AVR 2307ci receiver, you can follow these general steps:
1. Determine the amplifier connection type: Check the specifications of your 2-channel amplifier and identify the available input and output options. Common connection types include RCA (analog) and speaker wire (for binding posts or terminals).
2. Identify the pre-out connections on your Denon AVR: Locate the pre-out connections on the back of your Denon AVR 2307ci receiver. These are typically labeled as "Pre Out" or "Preamp Out" and may be color-coded. You will need to find the pre-out connections for the front left and right channels.
3. Connect the RCA cables: If your amplifier has RCA inputs, use RCA cables to connect the pre-out connections of the Denon AVR to the corresponding inputs on the amplifier. Connect the left channel pre-out on the Denon to the left channel input on the amplifier, and do the same for the right channel.
4. Connect the speaker wires: If your amplifier uses speaker wire connections, connect the front left and right speaker outputs of the Denon AVR to the corresponding inputs on the amplifier using speaker wire. Make sure to observe the proper polarity (positive and negative) when connecting the wires.
5. Configure the Denon AVR settings: Access the setup menu of the Denon AVR by using the remote control or the front panel display. Navigate to the audio settings or speaker configuration section. Look for an option to enable "Preamp Mode" or "Preamp Outputs." Enable this option to ensure that the front left and right channels are redirected to the pre-out connections.
6. Set the amplifier to the correct input: If your amplifier has multiple inputs, select the input that corresponds to the connection from the Denon AVR.
7. Adjust volume and settings: After completing the connections, you may need to adjust the volume levels on both the Denon AVR and the amplifier. Use the Denon AVR as the primary volume control and adjust the amplifier's volume accordingly.
It's important to consult the user manuals for both your Denon AVR 2307ci and the 2-channel amplifier to ensure proper setup and compatibility. If you're uncertain about any specific steps or settings, it's advisable to consult the manuals or reach out to Denon customer support for assistance.

This video MIGHT help a little

Sounds like a thermal related problem and what comes to mind is a cold solder joint. I'm thinking that the "good and warm" is the circuit boards heating up inside where-as the "really crank the volume" is sound vibration to the circuit board helping to make connection. Try this...1st time turn on with problem present...use a clenched fist to lightly vibrate the chassis on top, bottom and sides. Does this vibration test make the problem disappear/appear? If it is a solder connection be warned...locating and repairing these type problems is no picnic and most often requires the "trained eye" of a electronics tech to locate.

Sounds like a possible amp problem. Probably needs to go in for repairs.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

I've tried using the balance for left and right speakers, and when the receiver is acting up with the right speaker having a low volume, I tried moving the balance all the way over to the right speaker. The right speaker volume will not increase in volume but the left speaker will decrease in volume.

Just to clarify, the center and the rear speakers are balanced. The issue only happens sometimes when I first power on the receiver I will have no center channel. If I leave everything alone for a few mins, the center channel will come on.

So it seems to me that something one the receiver is going. The question is, can anyone suggest a physical repair for the receiver for these symptoms?

Thanks

The most common problem at cases like yours is the jack to RCA cable that connects your mac to the Denon amplifier. This is a cable like this:

Usually there is an internal cut at one of the ends. Check this cable and in case of a problem replace it; it's very cheap. A quick test is to reverse the RCA jacks at the amplifier's side; if you get sound from the left speaker you can be sure that one channel of the cable is faulty. At the "virtual mode" your system is trying to create a stereo image so it's logical to have "pseudo" audio from the left speaker.

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The control section seems to have a thermal problem, when its cold it works, then warms up(metals expand with heat) it loses a connection. Can be either a solder connection or a component, these are found with freeze spray by a qualified technician.

My Pioneer VSX-36TX (circa 2002) does the same thing. Modern AVR's count up from minus something to 0db and go just a few db higher into 'plus' territory. It seems arbitrary but that's how it is.

Ask yourself this: who ever really turned the volume knob up to maximum on any amp on purpose, and had speakers survive it? In other words, why have all that capacity on a potentiometer if you never use it?

Little known fact: With that in mind, Bose Corp actually designed a product that intentionally used the full physical travel of a volume control - the Bose Acoustic Wave Music System.

I am a Tech in Michigan and have worked on lots and Lots of Denon AV Receivers. These units have Protection circuits for Overcurrent, Dc Protect, 15v Regulator inbalance, Rail Voltage Inbalance, Low Ac Voltage, Low Standby Voltage and Thermal Protection just to name the ones I remember. My guess is you Probably have either Poor Intermittent solder connections or Amp is not Ventillating Properly. Make sure you leave room above Receiver to Vent and You are using no Less then 6 ohm speaker Impedance per ch. Refer to Speaker Impedance chart on back panel . [email protected]

some of the theater selections sometimes effect this i think. check different fields also.

Sounds like you are exceeding the maximum power output of the receiver. Try disconnecting some speakers (and switch to A-only mode if your model has multi-zone) and see if that makes a difference.