Can’t leave well enough alone...
I contacted Pioneer again and have received a tad bit of good news.
After quite a long time of talking to the rep he has given me a contact for an authorized repair facility on the DV-AX10. Adam's Electronics in Huntington Beach, CA.
Anyone familiar with them?
He did say that there are no parts available for this piece and the repair place may not even look at the unit.
But, at least it’s not a dead-end.
I also sent an email to the repair place that jafant recommended.
This Pioneer is just too nice a unit to not pursue all possibilities.
Will update this as it goes.