PC Engine Duo Reliability

[Hewitson]

Since posting my wanted ad for a Core Grafx unit I have decided that a Duo is definitely the way to go. I'd prefer the original Duo as I think it's a much nicer looking unit, but I am worried about the countless posts I've read regarding it's reliability.

Does this come down to just the capacitors or is there more to it than that? Calling a system unreliable because it's capacitors wear out is a bit like calling something unreliable because the batteries have gone flat.

Please let me know of anything I should be aware of.

Thanks

[HercTNT]

worry not, reliable or not they can be fixed easily by one of the great techs here. buy one and love it.

[Frank_fjs]

From what I've seen, the Duo-R's seem to run a bit smoother regarding CD games, they just seem to tick along nicer.

If you get a regular Duo, it will need a recap, unless of course it has already been done. Not that much of a big deal if you know someone locally that can do it, but it is an added expense.

They do differ (the regular Duo vs the Duo-R) internally so it would be interesting to hear some opinions about the advantages/disadvantages of each design. I do tend to hear negative things re the original Duo beyond the original caps used, such as poor placement of components leading to a tendency for certain things to overheat.

[HercTNT]

Thesteve has said that the board on the original duo is better made, but the caps on the duo-r are superior. I also believe some external features of the duo were removed on the duo-r to cut costs making the duo more feature rich. they are both good machines though and properly maintained are very reliable.

[thesteve]

the two are chip for chip identicle.
the black unit uses a high quality board.
the issues are due to capacitor leakage and failure.
get the caps replaced and board washed, and the black unit should not give you any issues.
if you wait for system failure its more work to repair.

[BigusSchmuck]

Thesteve has said that the board on the original duo is better made, but the caps on the duo-r are superior. I also believe some external features of the duo were removed on the duo-r to cut costs making the duo more feature rich. they are both good machines though and properly maintained are very reliable.

Seriously though, when is the last time you heard a cd player or a cd walkman from the early 90s that still functions to this day?

[thesteve]

true

[Hewitson]

Thanks for the replies. I am glad to know that the caps are prone to leakage because I was considering buying a unit with no sound, thinking that a simple recap would probably get it up and running again.

I have a CD player from the early 90's that still functions as good as when it was new.

[rcantor77]

I've had my Duo-R nearly 20 years and not a flicker of a problem... I probably should not have said that as I am will now have issues.
But is this issue more common with the regular Duo or is this seen in all models...?

[RegalSin]

Whatever model you want get it. They will all breakdown at some point and need servicing, but at least you know that it will last longer then a
360. The original model was built for that purpose alone. When one part
fails you can plug in a replacement, just like a real PC. The DUO model
was  probably made to combat the FM towns model, or they wanted to
keep prices high?

[HercTNT]

Thesteve has said that the board on the original duo is better made, but the caps on the duo-r are superior. I also believe some external features of the duo were removed on the duo-r to cut costs making the duo more feature rich. they are both good machines though and properly maintained are very reliable.

Seriously though, when is the last time you heard a cd player or a cd walkman from the early 90s that still functions to this day?

I currently own a 6x scsi cd rom drive that works flawless. my wife has a cd walkman that works flawless. i have a jvc x'eye that works flawless. i'm sure some stuff has problems, but i have seen plenty that does not. i was just giving him general advice .

[8bitForLife]

my 1987 nes works fine and all my Atari do as well. I think today's age company's use worse components to save money but screwing over the consumer in the process. get some military grade caps in your duo and probably never have to worry about it ever again lol.

[thesteve]

i wouldnt go  mil/wet tantalum.
they make a bigger  mess

[csgx1]

So what about the laser reliability and lifespan?  I never had a Duo laser fail yet, but I had a PCE CDrom laser go out on me.  Older lasers in general don't seem prone to failure but what causes them to go bad?  Is failure based more on time, or usage, or some sort of abuse?

[wilykat]

So what about the laser reliability and lifespan?  I never had a Duo laser fail yet, but I had a PCE CDrom laser go out on me.  Older lasers in general don't seem prone to failure but what causes them to go bad?  Is failure based more on time, or usage, or some sort of abuse?

I think it just burns out from age, like a regular light bulb.