Genesis Getting the best sound from a VA1

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

So, I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of making my Genesis the best it can be for my price range, and while I have a target set for visual upgrades, I’m not sure about the audio out of my system. There’s a lot of feedback (loud buzzing) and the sound is just very soft in comparison to how I know it can sound. This is coming out of great reference headphones (Sennheiser HD600’s. Kind of overkill, but they’re great for detecting issues like this), and I want to ask: is it possibly that my audio jack isn’t clean? Is this how the system is supposed to sound? Is there any way to improve the sound? It would be nice, as I have a few games with awesome sound tracks and sound tests, and it would be cool to just listen to them from the system itself as a novelty.

Post automatically merged: Sunday at 4:31 PM

Should also mention in regards to video: my Genesis is officially the worst looking system I own. The thing that got me to really take this seriously NOW is that it’s even worse than a Master System through composite. Composite sucks, yeah, but that’s pathetic that the Genesis is being actively lapped by its little brother.

Though, the Master System’s audio is really quiet for some reason. No clue why.

 

[TruxtonTatsujin]

VA1 is only found in model 1 Japanese Mega Drives, are you sure this is the one you have?
There's a lot of variance in Genesis motherboard revisions, but the only truly bad one in the model 1 is the VA7. If your console doesn't have the "High definition graphics" text and boots with this screen, you may have it.

info on MB revisions: https://consolemods.org/wiki/Genesis:Motherboard_Differences

The only way to fix it is to do the triple bypass mod, it's not an easy mod to do: https://www.retrorgb.com/genesistriplebypass.html

The Genesis's composite out looks really bad no matter what revision you have. It's also the worst composite signal I've seen. The cheapest alternative is to do an S-video mod. The S-video mod is pretty easy, it's just running a few cables and connecting it to a port. It's a decent beginner project. It was one of the first console mods I ever did. If you don't want to do any modding you could use the RGB output instead, but a good RGB set-up is much more expensive.

The Model 1 Genesis I use is a VA6 with an S-video mod and outputting the audio over the headphone jack. Here's a quick recording.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Being away from home, I had to find an image. Doesn’t give much info just being like this, but this is my current unit. You’re right, it can’t be a VA1. I had done the search for board variants, and I found that my console probably was a U.S. unit manufactured later in 1989 (same year, past the launch batch). As such, it MAY be a VA3, but until I’m home I won’t be able to truly check. The note about the VA3 board sounding muffled checks out with my system, as does the AWFUL composite out. I’ll check out the links for the S-video mod, but the issues with convergence on the whites of text is a bother to me (even on the Master System), so I’m most likely going to go for HDRetroVision’s Component cable with the Model 1 connector anyway.

Post automatically merged: Sunday at 6:14 PM

If it does any good, this is from when I cleaned it this past week. I didn’t take the RF shielding off, as I was mostly doing cosmetic cleans and a scrub of the cartridge port.

 

[TruxtonTatsujin]

View attachment 75944
Being away from home, I had to find an image. Doesn’t give much info just being like this, but this is my current unit. You’re right, it can’t be a VA1. I had done the search for board variants, and I found that my console probably was a U.S. unit manufactured later in 1989 (same year, past the launch batch). As such, it MAY be a VA3, but until I’m home I won’t be able to truly check. The note about the VA3 board sounding muffled checks out with my system, as does the AWFUL composite out. I’ll check out the links for the S-video mod, but the issues with convergence on the whites of text is a bother to me (even on the Master System), so I’m most likely going to go for HDRetroVision’s Component cable with the Model 1 connector anyway.

Post automatically merged: Sunday at 6:14 PM

View attachment 75946
If it does any good, this is from when I cleaned it this past week. I didn’t take the RF shielding off, as I was mostly doing cosmetic cleans and a scrub of the cartridge port.

None of the VA7s have "high definition graphics" printed on them, so you don't have to worry about that. Even with the slight muffle people seem to still like how the VA3 sounds. It's also possible that your headphone jack is just dirty. Compare how it sounds to the mono output on the back. If you notice a difference try and clean it out with some compressed air.

If by "convergence" you mean the slight rainbow effect around whites, that's pretty common. I've seen that on all Master System and Genesis systems I've tested, some worse than others. I did a recap on my system and it seemed to reduce it slightly along with the jailbars. I don't recall if it's still visible over RGB. I did my S-video mod probably over 10 years ago now, so I don't remember what guide I used, but it shouldn't be difficult to find one.

The HD Retrovision cables are fantastic but a little pricy. I bought one with all the adapters so I could use it on as many things as possible. I use it mainly for my PC Engine right now. If you already have a way to easily plug them in that would be the best solution. All the CRTs I've owned didn't have component plugs so that's why I went with S-video. Plus getting a bunch of S-video cables is much cheaper so I just leave everything plugged into a switch box.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

None of the VA7s have "high definition graphics" printed on them, so you don't have to worry about that. Even with the slight muffle people seem to still like how the VA3 sounds. It's also possible that your headphone jack is just dirty. Compare how it sounds to the mono output on the back. If you notice a difference try and clean it out with some compressed air.

If by "convergence" you mean the slight rainbow effect around whites, that's pretty common. I've seen that on all Master System and Genesis systems I've tested, some worse than others. I did a recap on my system and it seemed to reduce it slightly along with the jailbars. I don't recall if it's still visible over RGB. I did my S-video mod probably over 10 years ago now, so I don't remember what guide I used, but it shouldn't be difficult to find one.

The HD Retrovision cables are fantastic but a little pricy. I bought one with all the adapters so I could use it on as many things as possible. I use it mainly for my PC Engine right now. If you already have a way to easily plug them in that would be the best solution. All the CRTs I've owned didn't have component plugs so that's why I went with S-video. Plus getting a bunch of S-video cables is much cheaper so I just leave everything plugged into a switch box.

My Sony Trinitron KV-20FS120 has a Component connection on the back. It was the Wii that really turned me to Team Component, since the Nintendo-made cables are so cheap and were an incredible replacement for the Composite ones I’d been forced to use for a while.

As for the rainbow coloring on whites, I notice that mostly in my Master System. The boot screen is very plagued by it, but Phantasy Star’s text boxes are a consistent reminder. It may also be a monitor issue, and that will be something to tackle when I finally get a remote for my set.

As for my Genesis, yeah, when I get home I’ll try to gently clean out the headphone out. You could probably tell, but I’m a total noob to the true nitty gritty of Genesis hardware, as for a long time my dream was to simply OWN ONE.

Post automatically merged: Sunday at 7:51 PM

(As an aside, I’d love to be able to change the name of the thread to correct the VA number, but sadly I can’t.)

 

[TruxtonTatsujin]

My Sony Trinitron KV-20FS120 has a Component connection on the back. It was the Wii that really turned me to Team Component, since the Nintendo-made cables are so cheap and were an incredible replacement for the Composite ones I’d been forced to use for a while.

As for the rainbow coloring on whites, I notice that mostly in my Master System. The boot screen is very plagued by it, but Phantasy Star’s text boxes are a consistent reminder. It may also be a monitor issue, and that will be something to tackle when I finally get a remote for my set.

Nah it's not a monitor issue. Even after my re-cap you can still see it a little in my direct capture.

I used to have this gigantic 36" 200+ pound Trinitron that had every input you could ever want on it, including an HDMI input. Sadly it was so heavy it broken the solid wood stand it was on and smashed into the ground. Now I just use a 32" from 96' that just has s-video and composite. It sucks what happened to the other one but I kind of prefer the look of this 96' one. Has a curved screen and nicer scanlines. Plus it doesn't take 4 people to lift it. If I ever need to use component I just connect to a modern screen using an upscaler.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Oh! I just realized that my system DOES have the screen at boot. That makes it a VA6, since it still has the HDG text on the system.

 

[TruxtonTatsujin]

Oh! I just realized that my system DOES have the screen at boot. That makes it a VA6, since it still has the HDG text on the system.

nice. The audio on the VA6 is really clear so either it's the headphone port or some other external factor. It might sound weird but the genesis just might not like the headphones you're plugging into it.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Nah it's not a monitor issue. Even after my re-cap you can still see it a little in my direct capture. View attachment 75980

I used to have this gigantic 36" 200+ pound Trinitron that had every input you could ever want on it, including an HDMI input. Sadly it was so heavy it broken the solid wood stand it was on and smashed into the ground. Now I just use a 32" from 96' that just has s-video and composite. It sucks what happened to the other one but I kind of prefer the look of this 96' one. Has a curved screen and nicer scanlines. Plus it doesn't take 4 people to lift it. If I ever need to use component I just connected to a modern screen using an upscaler.

Yeah, as an apartment dweller who moves frequently, I tend to stay away from larger CRTs. I like to have a TV that’s good enough for multiple people to play on, but isn’t hell to lift lmao. The Trinitron came from an ol’ mate who was cleaning out his garage and brought it over to me, which I thanked him handsomely for.

He even flexed on me by demoing it with a 3DO.

Post automatically merged: Sunday at 8:16 PM

nice. The audio on the VA6 is really clear so either it's the headphone port or some other external factor. It might sound weird but the genesis just might not like the headphones you're plugging into it.

POSSIBLY! The Senny’s have 300 ohm driving power, so I’ll have to check the amp in the Genesis. I have a second, less nice set that I can test the sound with (once again, when I get home this evening).

Post automatically merged: Sunday at 9:09 PM

I have realized: my system may in fact need to be recapped. The visual artifacts I’m seeing are in line with failing capacitors.

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 1:53 AM

So, getting home and trying the other headphones, it’s nowhere near as bad. In fact: it sang to me. Like I’d never said a bad thing about it, my Genesis gave me the auditory performance of a lifetime. It sounded so clean, so perfect playing Sonic 3 & Knuckles that I knew the only true way to test the sound was…

The only place to go if you want the stinkiest bass and most exquisite use of techno on the Genesis. I had the BIGGEST smile on my face the entire time listening, and it has made this thread almost useless.

But, before we end things off, we must finally answer the question:

What VA revision is my Genesis?

 

[FrootyLoopsSamurai]

As far as definitive model identification, the serial number seems to be of limited use. Your system was made in 1991 and has the High Definition Graphics text on the shell. You're looking at a VA3 or VA6. If you take off the RF shield, you can identify the motherboard revision based on the text on the motherboard itself and the chips on the board. Also consider using some deoxit or other contact cleaner on your headphone jack and insert and remove your headphones a few times to clean headphone port.

 

[TruxtonTatsujin]

As far as definitive model identification, the serial number seems to be of limited use. Your system was made in 1991 and has the High Definition Graphics text on the shell. You're looking at a VA3 or VA6. If you take off the RF shield, you can identify the motherboard revision based on the text on the motherboard itself and the chips on the board. Also consider using some deoxit or other contact cleaner on your headphone jack and insert and remove your headphones a few times to clean headphone port.

It's gotta be a VA6. He said it's got the copyright screen on boot. VA3 doesn't have it.