PS2 audio problem fried my receiver?

[djseafood]

So, I went down this whole road of replacing my old trusty HK AVR 20 as well as my Infinity bookshelf speakers after the speakers kept blowing and I determined the front left channel on my HK receiver was toast.

So I got a new Onkyo TX-SR506, Polk Monitor 40's and a Polk PSW505. Not a bad upgrade. But as soon as I hooked up the PS2 through my receiver I noticed there was no audio from the left channel again. My wife chimed in and asked if it was dangerous and my initial thought was "Oh no, I just need to check the cables." Then I thought of the repercussions and immediately shut everything off. I checked the cable from the PS2. It's a brand new Monster cable that has component video out and L/R RCA audio. It previously had the stock supplied composite video/audio and that cable also had the problem so I'm pretty sure it's not in the cable. I then borrowed the Toslink from my DVD player and hooked it up to the PS2 and "voila!" problem solved. The optical out gives me full stereo where the L/R audio from the combined audio/video out is dropping the Left channel.

So, okay, I figured that much out but my real question is could there be some distorted signal that is in-audible being output by the PS2's left channel that fried both my receiver and the subsequent speakers hooked up to it? If so, that really pisses me off, but secondly do you think it's safe to continue using if I hook up audio to the optical out? I'm just skeptical of the whole thing now and am not going to risk over $700 in new components to test out a $129 PS2.

Does anyone know of places that can test the PS2 or repair it? Or would it be even worth it? Game Stop looks like they sell refurb's for around $60.

Thanks in advance for any help. If I don't get an answer at least maybe this will serve as a warning to some and prevent future loss!

[djseafood]

So, no ideas? :(

Can anyone at least answer me this; is there a way to test analog outputs for distortion or noise?

Also, can I be assured that if I am getting both right and left channel audio from the digital optical output from the PS2, that this output is safe and will not produce the same results as the corrupted analog output?

[Keiko]

If I understand what you're saying correctly, my guess would be the left channel analog output of the PS2 isn't working. If you have analog audio inputs on your TV you can test that theory. I wouldn't bother having it repaired. Buy a new one for 120.00 or get the refurbed for 60.00 if you need it.
Or...Upgrade to a PS3 with PS2 capabilities. :)

Good luck!

EDIT: I think you'd be ok using the optical. Again, sounds to me like you have a bad analog output on your PS2 unit.

[djseafood]

Thanks Keiko. Yes, it sounds like the analog output is bad. I was talking to the IT guy in my office and he said the problem is probably in the DAC but since the optical is a digital output and doesn't go through the DAC it should be fine. Also, since it's just flashes of light, it won't be transferring any low voltage like the analog output so no risk of spikes in voltage or distortion which is probably what caused my failure over time.

I think I'll be looking into trading my PS2 in at the local Game Stop and using it for credits towards a refurbed PS2 just to be on the safe side.

Thanks again :)

[Keiko]

If you don't have a PS3, get one if it's in your budget. It's the bomb! :D

[djseafood]

Unfortunately, it's not in the budget at this time. Maybe by Q2 '09 :) The PS2 was from a friend-of-a-friend and the only reason my wife and I got it was to play Rock Band :D