A heads up

$150 will get you a new AVR but not one that has a full set of pre-outs to match up with a quality amp. So I agree with Runnin too, you might as well use TV speakers.

The point I was making above, is to get an AVR with a full set of pre-outs and as cheap as possible during the Fall close outs. This way you're buying latest last years latest decoders and room correction only. In other words, just features. In my case I picked up a brand new Pioneer Elite VSX-52, for exactly 50% off its msrp of $900. It had the latest DTS & Dolby decoders and since I use it only it for movies and TV, Pioneers MCACC is as good as any other room correction for my needs. Never used for true music reproduction - its an AVR after all!

It's two years old and no problems so far. I'll keep it as long as DTS Master and Dolby HD are still the standards off a disc or it dies.

Yeah, I don't think you can get an AVR for 150, or at least a real one. For that kind of money you might as well just use the TV speakers and smile at the 150 you saved.

My AVR was about $1000 and it's 5 years old. It sounds really good and since I don't have to have the latest features, I'm in good shape. I'd consider an upgrade when Atmos is fully integrated in the industry and movies are released with it, but that's a couple of years down the road.

Agreed Avgoround. Knowing that the mainstream AVR manufacturers must come out with new models every year that sport the latest and greatest features, last years models have to be closed out every Fall. And 50% or more discounts on brand new units are not uncommon. This is another reason for the rapid depreciation - wait a year and buy a new one in a box at 50% or more off list. So what would that make a truly used model be worth? 25% of original purchase price after a year at best.

So even if you really wanted a flagship AVR, at least wait until the new models come out and take advantage of the inevitable huge discounts. This is why I would suggest to all HT enthusiasts, buy a good multi channel amp and match it with the cheapest AVR you can find that has a full set pre-outs during the Fall close outs. When the AVR conks out, simply discard and get another always buying new at 50% or better off MSRP. In other words, buy features only and as cheaply as you can. A good multi channel amp can last through several AVR's.

WRT the OP'S plight, I know its a bitter pill to swallow but I would not sink $600 into a unit that is only worth about 500 bucks if it was working! And this just doesn't apply to Pioneer. I would use the same logic with Denon, Yamaha, Marantz et al.

Besides ridiculously rapid price depreciation on electronics, this sort of thing is precisely why my rule is to NEVER pay more than $150 range for ANY AV surround RECEIVER, period!! This way, when it does fail, it becomes a throw away, and you simply buy another...Cost of doing business. And besides, theres any number of dirt cheap, used ,more than adequate performing, feature laden receivers on the used market, that theres no need to spend more bucks, IMO. Sooooooo...
Yeah... Aint paying no $600 to fix some midfi surroundy sound noise maker.