Author Topic: TurboDuo audio problems maybe someone can solve? (Read 1357 times)

Michael Helgeson · « **on:** April 22, 2005, 10:42:53 PM »

Basically its like this.I have a Pc Engine briefcase setup,but there is a U.S. Turbo Duo on ebay right now that seems to be going cheap.In the auction description its listed as having audio problems with the cd audio.It states the data loads fine,but cd audio cuts out about 80 percent of the time.
Is this a cd-drive problem you think,or a overheating problem on one of the chips?If its a overheating problem,then could it maybe be solved by blowing dust out,and maybe installing a cooling fan?Anyway,I know this is a tired subject with some of you,but as I have no experience with Duo systems,the more info I could get,the better off Id be,about choosing to win this thing off ebay.I am willing to bid around $200.00 if its a repairable problem most likely.Anyway,let me know what you think!!!

zborgerd · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2005, 05:27:55 AM »

Could be any number of things; Bad solder joint in the CDROM drive, bad pins, bad DAC. I doubt it's an overheating issue. CDROM DACs don't tend to get too terribly hot.

esteban · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2005, 01:15:23 PM »

Here are my two cents: I wouldn't go as high as $200 for a Duo w/ a known problem. Also, I'd be surprised if it gets that high (unless a bidder was careless and overlooked the item description).

I'd err on the side of caution and hold out for another Duo.

That's just me, of course.

dj898 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 24, 2005, 03:54:51 AM »

if you are going to spend that much stick with Duo-R/RX mate...

Necro · « **Reply #4 on:** April 24, 2005, 11:41:16 AM »

From what I have read d-lite (turbo modification guru) has looked into this problem pretty deeply. The root of the problem is overheating of the system, and I think that after the system starts doing this the damage might have been done already...

Check with him to make sure. The problem is that the sound amplification chip is very close to the heat source in the duo and that particular chip is only rated for use at up to 80 degrees F or something ridiculously low like that. There is a fan modification that d-lite does that could fix your problem, but probably is not worth while as it would cost you extra. Probably best to get a working system or get a Duo-R/RX as dj898 suggests. They don't have the overheating problem of the Duo and you can get them moded to play both US and Jap hucards.

zborgerd · « **Reply #5 on:** April 24, 2005, 02:10:51 PM »

I don't own a DUO (have a briefcase CDROM unit), but I intend to look into some of these issues when I end up buying one.

FYI: I indend to do some mods as well, as soon as I come up with some 8 pole switches.

Necro · « **Reply #6 on:** April 24, 2005, 07:11:23 PM »

Quote from: "zborgerd"

I don't own a DUO (have a briefcase CDROM unit), but I intend to look into some of these issues when I end up buying one.

FYI: I indend to do some mods as well, as soon as I come up with some 8 pole switches.

Not sure if you already have the link, but this guy is taking orders for 8-pole switches...

http://www.geocities.com/duo_r@sbcglobal.net/files/Switch.html

zborgerd · « **Reply #7 on:** April 25, 2005, 02:45:44 PM »

Quote from: "Necro"

Quote from: "zborgerd"
I don't own a DUO (have a briefcase CDROM unit), but I intend to look into some of these issues when I end up buying one.

FYI: I indend to do some mods as well, as soon as I come up with some 8 pole switches.

Not sure if you already have the link, but this guy is taking orders for 8-pole switches...

http://www.geocities.com/duo_r@sbcglobal.net/files/Switch.html

I sent him an email a few days ago and am awaiting a response. I hope to hear back from him.

monads · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2005, 05:16:24 AM »

I have this same problem with a Duo of mine. I don't know what to do with it except use it as a glorified HuCard player. I have a brand new Duo in my closet but don't want to use it out of fear that it might one day suffer the same fate.

zborgerd · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2005, 06:00:07 AM »

Quote from: "monads"

I have this same problem with a Duo of mine. I don't know what to do with it except use it as a glorified HuCard player. I have a brand new Duo in my closet but don't want to use it out of fear that it might one day suffer the same fate.

If you ever decide to get rid of it, for a decent price, I'll fix the thing and put the issue to rest.

I don't think that it can be a terribly complicated problem. Probably something simple like a bad electrolytic capacitor.

Michael Helgeson · « **Reply #10 on:** April 28, 2005, 04:59:45 PM »

I say screw the duo then,as it seems so many of you have the audio go bad on them.If it wasnt a big hassle to get it fixed,I would have jumped on it,but after doing research,seeing that this is not a easy fix,as for the most part,heat damage on a major chip is afterall heat damage,and can not be fixed,it just is not worth it.I have a wonderful non-faded briefcase combo,and I will just stick to it.I will just spend the cash and get another briefcase deck,or a U.S. Turbo Cd deck,to use the cd-drive as a replacement part for my Pc-Engine set-up.I have almost 50 games in my collection,so mainly I just want to make sure I have a backup unit available.

esteban · « **Reply #11 on:** April 28, 2005, 06:56:15 PM »

Quote from: "Michael Helgeson"

I say screw the duo then,as it seems so many of you have the audio go bad on them.If it wasnt a big hassle to get it fixed,I would have jumped on it,but after doing research,seeing that this is not a easy fix,as for the most part,heat damage on a major chip is afterall heat damage,and can not be fixed,it just is not worth it.I have a wonderful non-faded briefcase combo,and I will just stick to it.I will just spend the cash and get another briefcase deck,or a U.S. Turbo Cd deck,to use the cd-drive as a replacement part for my Pc-Engine set-up.I have almost 50 games in my collection,so mainly I just want to make sure I have a backup unit available.

Sorry things didn't work out for you

. You'll find that many folks have had their DUOs w/o experiencing audio problems... but it is always a potential problem (and a big problem). I guess that is why folks like dj898 recommend the DUO R / RX (the later, cheaper, redesigned Japanese model).

I love the briefcase setup you have and wish I had it. I have the old TG-CD system myself and haven't had a problem with it (though folks claim it has its own set of problems). If the CD drives are interchangeable (and I believe you are correct, someone asked this on the TurboList a few months ago) then you'll benefit from a U.S. TG-CD.

Keep in mind that some folks claim the TG-CD has a bunch of problems... there was a thread here that would have collected all this info, but it really never went anywhere.

If you get a chance, please share any links / info you can find on hardware problems. I'm sure it will benefit many other turbo fans

I tried to find the old topic, but damn, no luck.

dj898 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2005, 07:00:25 PM »

i loved my suitecase setup - especially when the seller throw in free SuperGrafx as a bonus...

sold it though for a good money and I was able to get Sega Wondermega from that money...

no I didn't regret since i wasn't using it nor my PC Engine Duo that I sold - it HAD no audio probelm.

nodtveidt · « **Reply #13 on:** April 29, 2005, 02:25:03 AM »

My recollection of issues with the Duo units was that the heat/audio problem only occured in launch units. I had a unit which wasn't an original launch unit and never had problems with it...and I played that thing for days on end (yup, that's right...DAYS on end). The original ones also have, from what I've been reading, a less flexible CDROM drive which is unable to read most CDRs.

monads · « **Reply #14 on:** April 29, 2005, 05:54:50 AM »

Quote from: "nodtveidt"

My recollection of issues with the Duo units was that the heat/audio problem only occured in launch units.

So how can you tell if your unit is a launch unit or not? I know on the bottom of the Duo is a serial and date. Would this identify?