PC Engine Duo Sound issue

roflmao · 04/12/2012, 07:55 PM

I noticed a few days ago that my PC Engine Duo has a strange audio problem. It seems when I'm playing a CD game, the redbook audio is coming out quieter on the left speaker than on the right. Chiptunes sound fine/equal out of both speakers. I hooked up my TG16/CD setup to the same TV/Stereo system and the redbook audio sounded fine out of both speakers.

The Duo has also been modified so it has a separate set of composite outs coming out of the back of the console so I can use standard composite cables. Out of either the stock plug or the added plugs I have the same audio issue. I'd say the left side is at least 50% quieter, but only when playing redbook audio.

Any ideas? I'm guessing this is some sort of cap issue, though the caps have all been recently replaced.

Thanks!

Bernie · 04/12/2012, 08:05 PM

Uh oh.. Thats not good.. If you end up having to send it to BlueBMW or one of the other guys here, let me know please. I will cover the fees for shipping and whatever repairs... Sorry about that man. That is the second Duo I had repaired from that seller that developed sound issues. I am thinking that it was repaired back when they first started discovering the cap issues. Maybe all the caps werent replaced. That was the issue with my most recent Turbo Duo, and BlueBMW has that one now.

thesteve · 04/12/2012, 08:05 PM

id go with your options being caps or corrosion.
were all the caps done or just the output stage

BlueBMW · 04/12/2012, 08:09 PM

I know a while back, just the caps in the audio section were being done... I know CD audio starts in a totally different section of the board. So it very well could be caps.

roflmao · 04/12/2012, 08:17 PM

Steve, I don't know if all of the caps were done or not, though I guess I assumed they all were.

I'm sure you can tell now, but I got it off Bernie not too long ago, and I think he in turn got it off someone who did the actual mod/cap work.

Bernie, that's very generous of you. This is old technology, and I certainly don't hold it against you. I don't think you were trying to sell me a bum Duo or anything.

It was only just recently that I noticed it so I think it's been working fine. I wouldn't feel right letting you cover the costs, but I wouldn't be opposed to maybe splitting it or something.

So would any of you repair gurus want to take a look at it? I'm a little low on funds right now and it's not a huge priority to get fixed (games still play fine, they just sound a little off if they are of the CD variety). I'm not in any real rush to get it taken care of, but at the same time, I'd be happy to box it up and ship it out. There's no rush to get it back to me as I have my TG/CD setup to tide me over, though for some reason the picture doesn't seem as sharp as the Duo's.

turbokon · 04/12/2012, 08:37 PM

If thesteve or bluebmw can't tackle now, I don't mine taking a look at it for you.

BlueBMW · 04/12/2012, 09:12 PM

I'm a little too busy with repair work right now to take anything more in for a while, so let turbokon or steve take care of it

Bernie · 04/12/2012, 09:14 PM

Quote from: BlueBMW on 04/12/2012, 09:12 PMI'm a little too busy with repair work right now to take anything more in for a while, so let turbokon or steve take care of it

Yeah.. he got one of mine.. Where is my whip?

ApolloBoy · 04/12/2012, 09:17 PM

I can try tackling it for you, I think only a handful of caps were replaced as well and that's why your Duo's still having issues.

roflmao · 04/12/2012, 09:31 PM

Thanks for offering to look at it ApolloBoy. I sent Turbokon a PM about it already since he was the first to respond, but I'll keep your offer in mind in case it doesn't work out. This community is just too awesome. You guys rock!