Kenwood VR-705 5.1 surround receiver sound cuts out. Also taking suggestions on a new 5.1 or 7.1 reciever

[nOm nom NOM3]

I currently have a Kenwood VR-705 5.1 Surround Receiver. It had been going strong for I think 5-6 years for me and longer than that for my dad. recently it would randomly quit playing audio for no reason. I can get it to come back by switching it off then on again, then all is well for an indefinite amount of time. I am mainly using the S/PDIF output on my Asus X-99 Deluxe. but I have also experienced this on the front/back Headphone jack when I used that. I do have headphones for when I talk to friends online and they have 0 issues so I am led to believe it IS my Kenwood receiver.
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I also mentioned that instead of troubleshooting this old one I am open to just buying a new receiver. I am a bit overwhelmed by the choices on Newegg and Amazon. my price range is about $200-$450 USD. I mainly use my PC to listen to music, occasionally I will fire up my xbox to watch movies on my tv. I would prefer a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound model I dont care about airplay since I dont use apple devices and I dont need a million HDMI inputs, but a few would be nice. I would love to hear what anyone here has to suggest!

 

[americanaudiophile]

I would try a different source (or use the radio in the receiver) to make sure that it is the problem. Doesn't sound like it is going off due to heat so it could be a bad speaker wire or bad speaker. Check all the speaker wires for possible shorts or bad connections with wires sticking out of the terminals. You can disconnect wires and start by just leaving the center connected and see if it shuts down. If it doesn't connect each speaker one at a time and let it play until you are sure it is OK. When it stops playing that speaker may be at fault.
A good replacement in your price range would be an Onkyo.

 

[nOm nom NOM3]

I have to leave for work soon, but I did find out that even when I have the tuner on it quits making sound, and that switching between inputs ALSO restores the audio. Thursday or Friday I will have enough time to pull my system out and check all the speakers. thanks for the answer!