PCEngineFans.com - The PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 Community Forum

NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG/PCE Repair/Mod Discussion => Topic started by: MrFlutterPie on August 13, 2012, 05:22:19 AM

Title: PCE Duo sound is scratchy and distorted unless earphones plugged in
Post by: MrFlutterPie on August 13, 2012, 05:22:19 AM

Hey guys I am having some sound issues with my PCE Duo.

The audio works and the volume is fine it is the "quality" of the audio is the problem.  The music sounds really scratchy and distorted.

It has been recapped a couple of months ago because it had practically no volume even with the T.V volume on 100%.

Here's the interesting thing.  If I plug the ear phones in the sound issues are resolved without putting the earphones in my ears.  The volume is still herd on the T.V at a little lower setting so when I turn the volume up on the T.V up to about 65% I get perfect sound quality from the actual T.V.  When I remove the earphones from the jack the audio problems return.

I have no clue how to fix this.

If anybody can help it would be much appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Title: Re: PCE Duo sound is scratchy and distorted unless earphones plugged in
Post by: Necromancer on August 13, 2012, 06:01:31 AM

Sounds like leaking caps to me.  Try searching for 'duo scratchy sound' and you'll find plenty of corroboration.

Title: Re: PCE Duo sound is scratchy and distorted unless earphones plugged in
Post by: MrFlutterPie on August 13, 2012, 06:45:38 AM

Thanks for the help.

I paid $40 to have the damn thing capped and they screwed up so now I have to pay extra to somebody else to fix this mess ](*,)

It is hard to find people in my area to fix these things.  I just don't want to hand to some random guy out of a truck.  I am looking for a reputable repair place.

Title: Re: PCE Duo sound is scratchy and distorted unless earphones plugged in
Post by: geise on August 13, 2012, 07:09:03 AM

There's plenty of reputable people here in these forums.  Was the system recapped by someone here?

Title: Re: PCE Duo sound is scratchy and distorted unless earphones plugged in
Post by: ApolloBoy on August 13, 2012, 08:37:17 AM

Sounds like they may not have replaced all the caps then if it's still having issues, or the person who recapped it might have used poor quality caps. I'm capable of looking at it for you but I'm taking a break from working on Duos for now. There's lots of other talented people here who can though.

Title: Re: PCE Duo sound is scratchy and distorted unless earphones plugged in
Post by: MrFlutterPie on August 13, 2012, 08:55:26 AM

Quote from: geise on August 13, 2012, 07:09:03 AM

There's plenty of reputable people here in these forums.  Was the system recapped by someone here?

No it was a locale person.

I am afraid of shipping as it costs a lot to ship Canada Post and then I am worried about it getting damaged in the mail.

Title: Re: PCE Duo sound is scratchy and distorted unless earphones plugged in
Post by: ProfessorProfessorson on August 14, 2012, 05:54:14 AM

After shipping there and back if you have to ship to the USA, plus cost of repair work and parts cost, it may be best to just buy a new deck then from here or elsewhere. The problem you are having may not be fixable if there is a lot more going on then just bad caps again. To take the sting off the cost of a new unit some, just sell the old one as-is for parts or repair. Someone will buy it.

Title: Re: PCE Duo sound is scratchy and distorted unless earphones plugged in
Post by: MrFlutterPie on August 14, 2012, 09:00:29 AM

Quote from: ProfessorProfessorson on August 14, 2012, 05:54:14 AM

After shipping there and back if you have to ship to the USA, plus cost of repair work and parts cost, it may be best to just buy a new deck then from here or elsewhere. The problem you are having may not be fixable if there is a lot more going on then just bad caps again. To take the sting off the cost of a new unit some, just sell the old one as-is for parts or repair. Someone will buy it.

I think this is what I am going to do.

Thanks for all your input guys.  I've been chasing this thing for so long only to find out it is still beyond my grasp.

Title: Re: PCE Duo sound is scratchy and distorted unless earphones plugged in
Post by: turbokon on August 17, 2012, 07:05:39 AM

It could be the volume dial is getting bad.

Title: Re: PCE Duo sound is scratchy and distorted unless earphones plugged in
Post by: thesteve on August 17, 2012, 08:01:01 AM

if it wasnt cleaned well that too would cause it