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Which has the most durable disc drive out of the JVC X'eye, Sega CDX, and Sega CD model 2? I'm looking into different Sega CD options and I'd like to know which version would last the longest and if there are any significant decrease in load times between systems. Also, are the CDX and X'eye compatible with the 32X? I'm starting to lean towards getting a model 2 Sega CD because the others are pretty pricey. Any input is appreciated.

I have a CDX that runs great. It is compatible with the 32X. Can't tell you more than that, though

I love my x eye It works great with the 32x (CD Games can be tricky but can be done) Ive had it for a long while and its never given me any type of guff. I play CDR Back ups once and again and it plays them great. I would go with the x eye but the cdx is also great and takes up alot less space. Funny I just posted a video on youtube about my x'eye and I forgot to add the wondermega has s-video that was pulled from our (USA) X'eye so maybe that would be a good system for you.

I find my CDX is kind of finicky. It reads discs slowly, and sometimes I have to coax it to play a Sega CD game. Genesis carts work fine though; cartridges always play without issue.

samsonlonghair wrote:I find my CDX is kind of finicky. It reads discs slowly, and sometimes I have to coax it to play a Sega CD game. Genesis carts work fine though; cartridges always play without issue.

That's odd. I've thrown all kinds of discs at it (CDs, Sega CDs, CD-Rs, stuff with stickers on them, etc.) and never had it not read something or read it slow.

for the price, you might as well just get a model 2.

final fight cd wrote:for the price, you might as well just get a model 2.

That's probably what I'll end up getting. I think I'd rather put the money saved on purchasing a X'eye or CDX and buy some games.
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On another note... Which system/add-on has the best video and sound quality?

The CD based consoles of the era are all pretty much on equal footing with one another. There weren't shortcuts or cheap alternatives to manufacturing CD-ROM drives yet in 1993 like there were for cart based systems. Basically what you see is what you get.

And before someone tries to pull out the Model 1 Sega CD is less reliable BS, it's just as reliable and functional as all the other variants. The main reason for all the issues is that it was a delicate and expensive piece of Hi-Fi equipment (Nearly $400 and in 1991-92 dollars!) and was then subsequently dropped in a kid's lap. 90% of the brats rammed the drive closed by force instead of pushing reset like they were supposed to, and generally mistreated the unit on the the gear driven spindle mechanism used for lifting the laser up under the CD. Prolonged or rough abuse to the tray caused stripping cracking and snapping of the gears and mechanism rendering the lift assembly useless.

As for audio quality all the Sega manufactured CD units typically had the same hardware inside just re-arranged differently varying between models or further integrated on later units. JVC units usually used custom parts, but it's JVC so they're not cheap and should sound as good or better than Sega's own machine.

@Mod_Man_Extreme

I agree with you about the model 1. The only problem would be finding one in relatively good working condition and for a good price. However, I'd say they wouldn't be a bad Sega CD if you repaired the drive. Normally Sega has very good build quality.

the quietest (I mean whisper quiet) and by far the least temperamental drive for me was the X'Eye and the Wondermega 2 drives. They played everything I threw at them, original games and CDR's of every brand. I never tried a CDRW as I don't have one.