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NEC PC-Engine/SuperGrafx => PC Engine/SuperGrafx Discussion => Topic started by: DaveGeorge on January 23, 2006, 11:17:06 AM

Title: Which set-up has the best cd-unit?
Post by: DaveGeorge on January 23, 2006, 11:17:06 AM

Since it seems that my second duo is giving up on me :(

It looks like I need to buy me yet another wonderbox from Nec but I just wanted to confirm something first.

When I had troubles with the cd-unit in my old PCE DUO I think someone said that going for a briefcase set-up or possibly a Super CDrom2-interface would be better. But I went for a DUO-R instead which has been great until recently (bought it in August 2005).

Is it true that loose cdrom2 or Super CDrom2 units are of better quality than those of the DUO/DUO-R/DUO-RX?


Ps, I tried to search the forum, but did not find what I was looking for so if this is a commonly asked question I bid for you forgivness :wink: Ds.

Title: Re: Which set-up has the best cd-unit?
Post by: rolins on January 23, 2006, 11:38:58 AM

Quote from: "DaveGeorge"

Is it true that loose cdrom2 or Super CDrom2 units are of better quality than those of the DUO/DUO-R/DUO-RX?

Not really, all pc-engine cd units are prone to failure. It just seem that the duo-r and duo-rx recieves the least of problems.

Title: Re: Which set-up has the best cd-unit?
Post by: TR0N on January 23, 2006, 05:28:51 PM

Quote from: "rolins"

Quote from: "DaveGeorge"

Is it true that loose cdrom2 or Super CDrom2 units are of better quality than those of the DUO/DUO-R/DUO-RX?

Not really, all pc-engine cd units are prone to failure. It just seem that the duo-r and duo-rx recieves the least of problems.

Agreed still i feel a, DuoR&RX or the, SCRD2 are the best period.

Title: Which set-up has the best cd-unit?
Post by: pixeljunkie on January 24, 2006, 02:23:56 AM

This may be due to the fact that the hardware is getting OLDER by the minute. The Duo R/RX's are the most recently produced consoles....so it makes sense they are doing the best right now. Eventually they are all going to run into probs :(

Title: Which set-up has the best cd-unit?
Post by: TR0N on January 24, 2006, 08:14:28 PM

Quote from: "pixeljunkie"

This may be due to the fact that the hardware is getting OLDER by the minute. The Duo R/RX's are the most recently produced consoles....so it makes sense they are doing the best right now. Eventually they are all going to run into probs :(

Probably so or corse by then i'll useing a emulator :wink:

Still it helps when ya have more then one system... for backup use.

Title: Which set-up has the best cd-unit?
Post by: FM-77 on January 25, 2006, 12:57:01 AM

Hey, Dave George! LMG! LMG!  :wink:


I'd say get a DUO-R/RX. If your system dies on you you're just unlucky. Some systems last forever, some don't.

Title: Which set-up has the best cd-unit?
Post by: pixeljunkie on January 25, 2006, 01:32:55 AM

Quote from: "Tron"

Quote from: "pixeljunkie"

Still it helps when ya have more then one system... for backup use.

True....highly considering getting a Duo-R to stick in the closet...so after the World War of 2007....everything in ruins....I'll have a bitchin' Duo, playing Dracula X in my bunker.

I need more sleep...

Title: Which set-up has the best cd-unit?
Post by: DaveGeorge on January 25, 2006, 02:18:24 AM

Quote from: "Seldane"

Hey, Dave George! LMG! LMG!  :wink:


I'd say get a DUO-R/RX. If your system dies on you you're just unlucky. Some systems last forever, some don't.

Yup yup that's me :wink:

Yeah, seems like I'll go for yet another duo-r/rx (when I have been digging up enough gold to afford one), while having 2 duos failing on me in 6months I must be one unlucky S.O.B or the pc-engine sceene is a far for expensive playground than I imagined :wink:

Thank you everyone for your input :)

Title: Which set-up has the best cd-unit?
Post by: D-Lite on January 25, 2006, 04:20:58 AM

I agree on the DuoR/RX being the most reliable.  The laser assemblies are IDENTICAL to the Turbo/PCE Duo, but the hardware on the board is "different".  When I say "different", I mean it appears to be the same technically, but the capacitors and some ICs seem to be from different vendors and of larger voltage.  I know what circuit/IC controls the CD drive speed and roughly which one affects sound, but replacing capacitors hasn't yet been fruitful in eliminating the sound problem.

Title: Which set-up has the best cd-unit?
Post by: rolins on January 25, 2006, 04:25:09 AM

Quote from: "DaveGeorge"

Quote from: "Seldane"

Hey, Dave George! LMG! LMG!  :wink:


I'd say get a DUO-R/RX. If your system dies on you you're just unlucky. Some systems last forever, some don't.

Yup yup that's me :wink:

Yeah, seems like I'll go for yet another duo-r/rx (when I have been digging up enough gold to afford one), while having 2 duos failing on me in 6months I must be one unlucky S.O.B or the pc-engine sceene is a far for expensive playground than I imagined :wink:

Thank you everyone for your input :)

You weren't the only unlucky SOB. I bought two black duos from japangamestock and they both suffered from audio problems. I sold both duos on ebay and used the money to buy a duo-r. No problems with audio any more.

Title: Which set-up has the best cd-unit?
Post by: TR0N on January 25, 2006, 04:23:51 PM

Quote from: "pixeljunkie"

Quote from: "Tron"

Quote from: "pixeljunkie"

Still it helps when ya have more then one system... for backup use.

True....highly considering getting a Duo-R to stick in the closet...so after the World War of 2007....everything in ruins....I'll have a bitchin' Duo, playing Dracula X in my bunker.

I need more sleep...

 :wink:  :idea:

Title: Which set-up has the best cd-unit?
Post by: akamichi on January 25, 2006, 11:07:22 PM

Personally I like the "briefcase" setup.  I have a Duo-R and a white PCE with interface unit and haven't had any problems with either yet.  I bought the Duo-R used about 4 or 5 years ago and it looks pretty beat up, but works fine.

I've had my briefcase setup for close to 18 years now and it's still going strong.  I bought a backup CD-ROM unit just in case but haven't even had to use it.  It's always nice to have a backup though.

I say go for the Duo-R or RX since it's an all-in-one unit, but I'm partial to the interface unit and PCE.  Looks much better to me.