PC-engine duo/cd questions

[pepharytheworm]

I am wanting to get a PC-engine duo or any combo that will let me play super cdrom2. I have a couple questions hopefully you guys can help me with. First off which is the most reliable and what are some off the common problems that go wrong? What am I looking to spend to get each model individualy? Are their pros and cons for getting one over the other, like faster cd rom drive?

PC-Engine Duo
PC-Engine Duo R
PC-Engine Duo RX
Super CDrom2 Attachment w/pc-engine
PC-engine interface with PC-engine, cdrom2, and 3.0 system card

Thanks guys any advice you can give would be great. I also saw a PC-engine duo r for $199.99 shipped and a boxed complete Pce interface complete w pce and cdrom2 at the same price. Which is the better deal?

by the way this is posted under other instead of B/S/T because I am looking for answers not sales.

[Hobie-wan]

With a Duo, you don't have to worry about system cards unless you want to play an Arcade CD game, plus you only have 1 unit and 1 power plug to worry about. If you buy a non Duo, sometimes getting a card can be pricey. The only difference between a Duo R and RX is a slight case redesign and the RX came with a 6 button pad. I think pretty much any combination with a CD ROM unit ready to play is going to be $200+. I got lucky and picked up my boxed RX with a pile of about 20 games for about $280 shipped, but the seller was desperate for cash.

That's about all the advice I can offer that I'm certain of. Check completed auctions on ebay for a feel of prices.

[pepharytheworm]

With a Duo, you don't have to worry about system cards unless you want to play an Arcade CD game, plus you only have 1 unit and 1 power plug to worry about. If you buy a non Duo, sometimes getting a card can be pricey. The only difference between a Duo R and RX is a slight case redesign and the RX came with a 6 button pad. I think pretty much any combination with a CD ROM unit ready to play is going to be $200+. I got lucky and picked up my boxed RX with a pile of about 20 games for about $280 shipped, but the seller was desperate for cash.

That's about all the advice I can offer that I'm certain of. Check completed auctions on ebay for a feel of prices.

I did look at the prices of ended auction and the prices really vary from $120 (interface unit) to $499.99. I thought only with the interface unit you had to get a 3.0 card which I put, and not the Super cdrom2 attachment. I hear alot of people talk about sound issues and drive issues which models are these mostly on.

[cyborc]

Definitely get an R/RX. They are much more reliable than the original black duo. The capacitors will eventually go out on the black duo and it will mess up the sound. also, the a/v out jack was placed right next to the ac adapter jack, which makes the a/v jack prone to heat damage. the R/RX does not have this problem.

[Inazuma]

It's really confusing with all the different models of consoles and their compatibility. If you want to know about the very best combination, that would be:

SuperGrafx with the CD-ROM unit attached. This will let you play every single PC Engine game. Regular HuCards, Supergrafx HuCards, CD-ROM 2, Super CD-ROM 2, and Arcade.

If you don't care about the small library of Supergrafx titles, here is a really nice item on Ebay that would do everything else. Not only does it include everything needed but it's even RGB modded so you can get the best possible video quality from it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEC-PC-Engine-DUO-R ... 2c51d189bb

[pepharytheworm]

It's really confusing with all the different models of consoles and their compatibility. If you want to know about the very best combination, that would be:

SuperGrafx with the CD-ROM unit attached. This will let you play every single PC Engine game. Regular HuCards, Supergrafx HuCards, CD-ROM 2, Super CD-ROM 2, and Arcade.

If you don't care about the small library of Supergrafx titles, here is a really nice item on Ebay that would do everything else. Not only does it include everything needed but it's even RGB modded so you can get the best possible video quality from it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEC-PC-Engine-DUO-R ... 2c51d189bb

Are there any problems prone to the Super CDrom2 attachment?

[Breetai]

Here is the real deal (coming from first-hand experience):

PC-Engine Duo - Good system, but some people report having issues with the sound on it.
PC-Engine Duo R - Very reliable
PC-Engine Duo RX - Very reliable (and comes with a 6-button controller)
Super CDrom2 Attachment w/pc-engine - Very reliable (does NOT need a system card and only uses ONE AC adapter)
PC-engine interface with PC-engine, cdrom2, and 3.0 system card - the gears inside the CD-ROM occasionally break; otherwise good system

So, basically, the Super CD-ROM2 Attachment/PC Engine or either the Duo-R or Duo-RX are the most reliable systems. None of the need system cards (unless you want to play Arcade card games, of which there are very few) and they are all reliable.

[pepharytheworm]

Here's one I won off of EBAY
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT
Do you think I over paid? I got a coupon for 10% off also I can use towards it.

[Inazuma]

Yeah, looks like you overpaid a little.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEC-PC-Engine-DUO-R ... 2c51d189bb
Too bad you didn't buy this one. Better controller, Arcade card, 2 games, multitap, new CD lens and RGB mod. The RGB mod alone makes it much better than the one you bought. Even if you aren't able to use RGB in your home, you could use a RGB to Component adapter.

[pepharytheworm]

But at least I have it completly boxed and saved $100. I already have art of fighting on the Neo Geoo cd though.