I doubt that there is anything wrong with the DSP-A1. When using main pre out, you must remove a pre out/main in jumper bar. This disconnects the pre amp from the internal main amp. These need to be installed for the main amp to work. So you have no idea where these jumpers are, no problem, just use an interconnect cable between pre out and main in on each channel.
See page 21 here,
http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/av/english/am/DSP-A1.pdf
Another thought is that if you did install the jumpers, are they horizontal and not vertical?