Here are some pics of the mod.
For all pics please go here: http://s1182.photobucket.com/albums/x44 ... dio%20Mod/
SNES S/PDIF Mod with pics
SNES S/PDIF Mod with pics
Just completed the very frustrating mod with is the SNES s/pdif mod. The audio is definitely a step up. The difference isn't huge, but its immediately noticeable. The great thing about doing this on an SNES is you can use the RF jack as your Digital Coaxial Output jack. This mod is available on GamesX. This mod can very hard, due to the small solder to SMT chips you must do. In fact I believe this was over my head, but I ended up getting it to work. The analog audio still works too!
Here are some pics of the mod.
For all pics please go here: http://s1182.photobucket.com/albums/x44 ... dio%20Mod/
Here are some pics of the mod.
For all pics please go here: http://s1182.photobucket.com/albums/x44 ... dio%20Mod/
Re: SNES S/PDIF Mod with pics
Awesome!
You plan on doing any sound comparison recordings?
You plan on doing any sound comparison recordings?
Re: SNES S/PDIF Mod with pics
I'm not sure how I get the digital audio into something that can record it. DVD recorders don't accept digital audio in. If will if you can tell me how I got about doing it.
Re: SNES S/PDIF Mod with pics
Simple. Go buy a sound card with an SPDIF input, just so we can hear the difference. 
Still, even those cards "resample" their inputs. The true test would be to record a DTS CD or LaserDisc into that input and then output the raw stream and see if it is still in DTS. I have Toslink in and out on my Mac and still have never tried this.
Perhaps you could try to describe the difference?
Still, even those cards "resample" their inputs. The true test would be to record a DTS CD or LaserDisc into that input and then output the raw stream and see if it is still in DTS. I have Toslink in and out on my Mac and still have never tried this.Perhaps you could try to describe the difference?
Re: SNES S/PDIF Mod with pics
let's just take his word that it sounds betterRedifer wrote:The true test would be to record a DTS CD or LaserDisc into that input and then output the raw stream and see if it is still in DTS.
Re: SNES S/PDIF Mod with pics
Unless the sound card really messes it up, if you use it to record both samples (digital and analog) you'll probably still be able to hear the difference between them.
Re: SNES S/PDIF Mod with pics
I'll have to look into it then.
I haven't had time to really sit down and sample a lot of different types of games for the sound differences, but here's what I've noticed so far. As I mentioned the digital audio is louder. So I attempted to adjust the analog audio up to compensate for this change. I listened to 3 games, Super Mario World, Yoshi's Island, and DKC2.
60 Hz Hum
The first difference I should mention is the so called 60hz hum. From what I understand this is something that affects all analog sound devices to some degree. Some systems, due to their design are worse than others i.e. Sega Genesis model 2. The SNES exhibits this hum slightly. This is easily apparent at loud volumes through a stereo receiver. When the SNES is connected digitally this hum does not exist.
Clarity
Maybe its due to this lack of hum, or maybe its due to an overall lack of interference due to the digital nature of s/pdif but besides the volume difference this is an immediately noticeable effect of this mod. Even my girlfriend who did not know which sample she was listening to (either analog or digital) commented how much clearer the digital connection sounded. Listening to them back to back she described the analog sound as more muffled. The opening fanfare of the Donkey Kong Country 2 illustrated this well, as the music moves very fast.
Dynamic Range
Simply put, the range is larger. The receiver hits lower and higher notes when playing over the digital connection. This was evident in bass notes when listening to the opening fanfare of DKC2, and the high notes when listening to the opening of Yoshi's Island.
Directional Sound
Stereo is supposed to have some direction to it, meaning some sound come out of the left and move to the right, or visa versa. I'll be honest, I never really noticed this with analog stereo. This was a change I wasn't expecting, or even looking for, but I immediately noticed more directionality in the sound. It was at least more apparent through the digital connection.
I plan to do a more thorough assessment soon, and look into recording the two difference signals. Give me some game suggestions you would like me to listen to, and if I have it I will do so and report back. Try to pick games you think digital will really help, like if it has high or low notes, or a lot of changing sounds. I do not have Super Metroid, or I would have listened to that already.
I haven't had time to really sit down and sample a lot of different types of games for the sound differences, but here's what I've noticed so far. As I mentioned the digital audio is louder. So I attempted to adjust the analog audio up to compensate for this change. I listened to 3 games, Super Mario World, Yoshi's Island, and DKC2.
60 Hz Hum
The first difference I should mention is the so called 60hz hum. From what I understand this is something that affects all analog sound devices to some degree. Some systems, due to their design are worse than others i.e. Sega Genesis model 2. The SNES exhibits this hum slightly. This is easily apparent at loud volumes through a stereo receiver. When the SNES is connected digitally this hum does not exist.
Clarity
Maybe its due to this lack of hum, or maybe its due to an overall lack of interference due to the digital nature of s/pdif but besides the volume difference this is an immediately noticeable effect of this mod. Even my girlfriend who did not know which sample she was listening to (either analog or digital) commented how much clearer the digital connection sounded. Listening to them back to back she described the analog sound as more muffled. The opening fanfare of the Donkey Kong Country 2 illustrated this well, as the music moves very fast.
Dynamic Range
Simply put, the range is larger. The receiver hits lower and higher notes when playing over the digital connection. This was evident in bass notes when listening to the opening fanfare of DKC2, and the high notes when listening to the opening of Yoshi's Island.
Directional Sound
Stereo is supposed to have some direction to it, meaning some sound come out of the left and move to the right, or visa versa. I'll be honest, I never really noticed this with analog stereo. This was a change I wasn't expecting, or even looking for, but I immediately noticed more directionality in the sound. It was at least more apparent through the digital connection.
I plan to do a more thorough assessment soon, and look into recording the two difference signals. Give me some game suggestions you would like me to listen to, and if I have it I will do so and report back. Try to pick games you think digital will really help, like if it has high or low notes, or a lot of changing sounds. I do not have Super Metroid, or I would have listened to that already.
Re: SNES S/PDIF Mod with pics
All unbalanced analog audio connections, yes. Good quality cables and connectors can minimize this to where it's not an issue. Balanced audio does not have this issue at all.The first difference I should mention is the so called 60hz hum. From what I understand this is something that affects all analog sound devices to some degree.