My genesis 2. crystal clear audio mod, cxa2075 region switch

[Drakon]

Oh and here's a video showing the audio quality from the system before and after I installed the amazing crystal clear audio mod circuit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMes1N-M ... e=youtu.be

[Ziggy]

Great news for people who really like the look and feel of Genesis 2s but want the higher audio/video quality of model 1s.

The later revisions of the model 2 have much better audio, almost identical to the model 1's.

[Drakon]

Great news for people who really like the look and feel of Genesis 2s but want the higher audio/video quality of model 1s.

The later revisions of the model 2 have much better audio, almost identical to the model 1's.

That is true. However Tiido's fantastic audio circuit sounds even better than a model 1. It's also nice to not need to hunt down a hard to find version of the system. I really think Tiido or someone should manufacture pcbs of this amazing audio circuit and either sell it in completed form or as a kit.

I like to mod up common and easy to find versions of the system and see just how awesome I can make it. It's great turning a common va1 into something so godly.

[Ziggy]

That is true. However Tiido's fantastic audio circuit sounds even better than a model 1.

Oh wow, that's saying a lot. I've read good things about the crystal clear audio mod, but I've never heard any one claim the audio quality is better then a model 1.

I've actually captured a lot of samples with 3 or 4 different model Genesis consoles, including mixing them with a Sega CD. I just haven't had the time to mess with it all so I can present it to the Internet.

Are there any sound samples any where that compare the crystal clear mod to a model 1? I would definitely like to hear that!

It's also nice to not need to hunt down a hard to find version of the system.

Finding a VA3 or VA4 model 2, I don't think it's hard at all unless you're trying to find it locally. You can email eBay sellers and ask them to check, which is easy since you can do it visually without having to open the console (metal plate on bottom side vent holes).

I really think Tiido or someone should manufacture pcbs of this amazing audio circuit and either sell it in completed form or as a kit.

That's really not a hard task to accomplish. Small PCBs like that can be affordable, even in small quantities. You just need some one to design the board. Of course, I wouldn't recommend doing anything without permission. The rest of the parts can be a painless DigiKey order.

[AznKhmerBoi]

Thats pretty awesome man, props to you for having the abilities and skill to execute this perfect mod.

[sabrage]

Oh and here's a video showing the audio quality from the system before and after I installed the amazing crystal clear audio mod circuit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMes1N-M ... e=youtu.be

WOW, the difference is really night and day! I'll have to brush up on my soldering skills if I ever lay my hands on a VA4.

[Drakon]

Next-gen: I can make a comparison recording I have a model 1. I'll do that when I get time (just pm me about it if I forget). The crystal clear audio mod opens up the full range of audio on the system. Suddenly you hear treble sounds that you never heard before because normally the treble range gets cut off. It sounds like the bass is weaker with the crystal clear audio mod but it isn't really it only sounds that way because you're getting a much higher treble range than you do with any normal system. I turned up the bass on my amp a couple of notches and now it sounds perfect.

I also forgot to post that I upgraded the video encoder. I built a cxa2075 circuit and it worked flawlessly first try. The cxa2075 has a MUCH sharper picture than the cxa1645 so it's indeed a superior encoder. I like the colour encoding a little better on the cxa1645 but the sharpness increase makes the 2075 a much better encoder overall. Also I can build the cxa2075 circuit very cheaply





It even takes less space. This encoder pcb is way larger than it has to be just because it was meant to be a tester pcb. It worked so perfeclty I just stuck it in the system. I bought parts to make another cxa2075 circuit and this time I'll make a really small one and plug it into all my systems just to see if it works with all of my consoles.

I also tried wiring my cxa2075 circuit into my model 1 genesis and it works but it gets the same video distortion that I got when I wired a cxa1645 into the model 1. Unfortunately the model 1 just has rainbow banding that's too strong. It even has jailbars that're stronger than the model 2.

Sabrage: I only recommend doing the crystal clear audio mod on a va0 va1 or va1.8 (all three are extremely common). The installation guide picture is taken from these revisions if you look at the va3/4 pcb the audio circuit is very different and there's no installation guide for how to wire a crystal clear audio mod into the va3/va4.

[s1mplehumar]

No RGB love?

Let me know if you decide to part with your DVDO EDGE.

[sabrage]

Sabrage: I only recommend doing the crystal clear audio mod on a va0 va1 or va1.8 (all three are extremely common). The installation guide picture is taken from these revisions if you look at the va3/4 pcb the audio circuit is very different and there's no installation guide for how to wire a crystal clear audio mod into the va3/va4.

If there's a simple guide (read: easy enough for a 5 year old ) to building your own video encoder, I wouldn't mind settling for an earlier revision at all. I picked up a Model 1 yesterday though, so I've got that to keep me busy for a while.

Edit: I just opened it up; I either got a model 6 or 6.8. Which one does NOT have the EXT port? That's what I got.

[Drakon]

If there's a simple guide (read: easy enough for a 5 year old ) to building your own video encoder, I wouldn't mind settling for an earlier revision at all. I picked up a Model 1 yesterday though, so I've got that to keep me busy for a while.

Edit: I just opened it up; I either got a model 6 or 6.8. Which one does NOT have the EXT port? That's what I got.

Changing the video encoder in a model 1 isn't really worth it to me. The model 1 is full of interference and no matter what encoder I wired into it I still could see the rainbow banding on my tv (even could see some jailbars too). I have two model 1s one is a va5 and the other is a va6. The model 2 actually so far is the best system I've encountered for installing my own video encoder. Building a cxa2075 encoder circuit is really easy if you have the right parts and know what you're doing. Unfortunately the cxa2075 chip was only released as surface mount. Surface mount chips require an adapter pcb to make it possible to hand solder it into a circuit (sop to dip converter board). And even with the adapter pcb it takes a certain amount of skill to solder surface mount chips.

What I suggest is that I'll build a cxa2075 circuit and sell it for a reasonable price to whoever wants it. I could probably build and sell the circuit for 75$. And if you mail me your genesis 2 I will install the cxa2075 circuit for an additional 25$.

I really wish the video encoder upgrade worked well on the model 1 because I do love the audio of the model 1. But unfortunately there's too much video interference in the model 1. Upgrading the video encoder of the model 1 does work but in certain stages of games backgrounds that're supposed to be a solid colour have this rainbow effect going on. Upgrading the video circuit in the model 1 would definitely be cheaper and easier than having to upgrade both the video and audio circuits of a model 2. If you're okay with the occasional rainbow effect going on with the picture then the model 1 is a good option for you. But if you're a big videophile like me then the model 2 is champ.

I took some screenshots a while ago to demonstrate what I'm talking about... These screenshots were taken using very sensitive equipment that picks up a lot of interference you won't see on your tv.

model 1 VA6 with a cxa1645 encoder installed:



On my CRT tv you see this rainbow pattern. It doesn't look the same on a TV as it does on this screen capture but it's still noticable and very annoying.

model 3 with a cxa1645 encoder installed:



On my CRT you don't see any of the rainbow interference. But you do see slight jailbars.

The model 2 picture quality is even better than the model 3. Less jailbars and the rainbow banding is just as clean as the model 3 (if not better).

Believe me I would have preferred to have to avoid building tiidos amazing crystal clear audio mod circuit because of the amount of work involved. But after I wired up a cxa1645 to my model 2 and saw how perfect the picture quality was I decided to just go and get it over with.

And yes I've already wired a cxa2075 into my VA6 model 1 and I could still see the rainbow interference in games on my tv. Both my va5 and va6 model 1s have the same problem so I guess it's just a problem you get with the model 1.