Briefcase or duo??

[wildfruit]

So I've finally decided to get myself a cd rom setup. However I have 2 choices
1)briefcase with 3.0 card
2) duo modded to play both us and jp cards

Both are refurbished caps/gear and RGB modded.
The duo is about £20 more than the briefcase.
Does anyone have a preference between the two or is this a stupid question ?

[Black Tiger]

In all my tests with refurbished and unrefurbished setups, Duos seem to load faster and have quieter chip sound. Combos have louder search sounds, especially CD-ROM units with the cheaper good-enough replacement gear.

Black Duos have an earphone jack that outputs the same sound as the AV jack. CD-ROMs have an earphone jack that outputs only the CD sound.

The briefcase likely suffers some level of yellowing unless it was bleached/retrobrited.

Black Duos have a large model 1 Mega Drive style AV cable sticking out the left side and power jack on the back. IFUs have rca and power jacks on the right side. Duo R/RX have Duo AV port and power jack on the back.

Arcade Card PRO typically sells for more than the DUO.

[VenomMacbeth]

In all my tests with refurbished and unrefurbished setups, Duos seem to load faster and have quieter chip sound. Combos have louder search sounds, especially CD-ROM units with the cheaper good-enough replacement gear.

Black Duos have an earphone jack that outputs the same sound as the AV jack. CD-ROMs have an earphone jack that outputs only the CD sound.

The briefcase likely suffers some level of yellowing unless it was bleached/retrobrited.

Black Duos have a large model 1 Mega Drive style AV cable sticking out the left side and power jack on the back. IFUs have rca and power jacks on the right side. Duo R/RX have Duo AV port and power jack on the back.

Arcade Card PRO typically sells for more than the DUO.

Yes.  Also with the IFU, there's a lot more troubleshooting if something goes awry thanks to all the various interconnected hardware (especially if you're a layman like me).

However, I've heard rumors that the black Duo doesn't read CD-Rs as well as other variations, if that's important to you.

[Dicer]

I prefer the look of the briefcase, but as others have said it can be a bit more finicky... A Duo-R/RX is the best overall route but as for briefcase vs black duo, personally I'd go briefcase.

Make sure you get a lid, and clean the yellowing off the white bits of the system when you can, it looks very posh in good or better condition.

[pulstar]

Personally, my list (according to the look of the systems) would be Briefcase > Duo > Duo-R...for functionality it would be Duo-R > Duo > Briefcase.

[wildfruit]

thanks guys ill take this on board

[GohanX]

The smart person would get a Duo R. It's probably the cheapest and most reliable setup. That being said, I sold my Duo and have two briefcases and a Turbo CD setup.

[Arkhan]

BEEF CASE THAT'S BEEN FULLY RESTORED.

DO IT

DO IT

BEEF IT UP.

[wildfruit]

BEEF CASE THAT'S BEEN FULLY RESTORED.

DO IT

DO IT

BEEF IT UP.

I did it I did it!

[wildfruit]

The smart person would get a Duo R. It's probably the cheapest and most reliable setup. That being said, I sold my Duo and have two briefcases and a Turbo CD setup.

Duo R/Rx are few and far between here and the cost of shipping from the far east/west kind of made it an unviable option for me.

[seieienbu]

Purely for aesthetic reasons, I'd say go with a Brief Case.  Not that the Duo looks much bad by any stretch of the imagination, but the Brief Case is a splendid and handsome setup.

[Necromancer]

Duo.  The only reason to go with a beefcase over a Duo is aesthetics.  Alternatively, you could go with Option C - SGX with SuperCD.  Or Option D - all of the above..... it's only money. 

[esteban]

The smart person would get a Duo R. It's probably the cheapest and most reliable setup. That being said, I sold my Duo and have two briefcases and a Turbo CD setup.

Duo R/Rx are few and far between here and the cost of shipping from the far east/west kind of made it an unviable option for me.

Don't listen to these folks. The briefcase is a nice setup. However, like everything else, it might need some maintenance/repairs.

AS A BONUS YOU HAVE A SEMI-PORTABLE CD-PLAYER NOW!!!!

That was a very nice feature for late 80's.

[WoodyXP]

AS A BONUS YOU HAVE A SEMI-PORTABLE CD-PLAYER NOW!!!!

Damn right.

[Groover]

I have always loved the Duo Design. I say for everything get a duo. However once you buy the duo you will want the briefcase next.