Model 2's: Are they worth using? (Serious question.)

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11-09-2014, 06:58 PM
Vludi

good Model 1 (VA6.8) vs. early (bad) Model 2 (VA0)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AHKRf-2WBc

good Model 1 vs. later (good) Model 2 (VA3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o9AAMIqDC8
11-09-2014, 07:48 PM
fluxcore

I can easily provide my own recordings of a stock VA1.8PAL MD2 vs the same console w/CCAM vs a VA6.5PAL MD1, but then anyone can find those kinds of comparisons easily if they can be bothered.

https://soundcloud.com/lanosk/tfiii-ccam-md2-v1-8
https://soundcloud.com/lanosk/tfiii-stock-md2-v1-8
https://soundcloud.com/lanosk/tfiii-md1-va6-5

The difference is pretty blatant.

But it certainly doesn't RUIN your gameplaying experience.
11-09-2014, 08:03 PM
phoenix

Model 2's gave the sega genesis a bad audio rap to many people.Which be legit eh;as the model 2 is bad compared to all but 1 model 1's.Model 1;s (except va7) shouldn't be slumped into that category (horrible audio) basically by nintendo die hards for example.I will stand right by a nintendo fan boy die hard for example and say the model 2 genesis sounds like shit.Because when I played me stuff in the 90's and now;you can definitely tell a difference between a model 1 va3 and a model 2 va0.You don't need to be an audiophile to hear it eh.
11-09-2014, 08:55 PM
goldenband

I use a Model 2 all the time for a few different reasons -- convenience, size, ease of use with the Sega CD and 32X, and the fact that you can get stereo out of the back.

The Model 1 unequivocally sounds better -- deeper bass, brighter highs -- but it irritates me to have to pull audio from the headphone jack (or arrange for a mod). And all of my Model 1's emit an ear-splitting pop from the jack on power-up, regardless of where the headphone slider is; my Nomad doesn't do that.

Also, one of my Model 1's has horrible crackle on certain games. I thought it was the caps, but apparently it's an issue in certain VA2 models (IIRC) that freak out if the volume levels exceed a certain threshold. LHX Attack Chopper was especially bad. I thought there was a thread where I posted about this, but I can't seem to find it.
11-09-2014, 09:41 PM
QuickSciFi

Quote:

Originally Posted by fluxcore

If you don't know what you're missing, then everything is fine (read: ignorance is bliss). If your speakers are crappy, you might not even notice the difference - but it is most certainly there.

It's still entirely possibly to have just as much fun with an md2. However, if you want the best sound quality, you'll certainly want to mod the audio. And after that, an md2 has some distinct advantages over the md1 - smaller, less power wastage (1 7805 over 2), proper line-level stereo out...

Did I forget to mention I've owned many model 1s since the mid 90s? Either way, funny how you throw the word "ignorance" around like that.

It's a matter of preference, nothing more.
11-09-2014, 10:00 PM
The Jackal

I used a model 2 for the majority of my childhood, and never once noticed the sound being an issue. Of course, now I can understand the difference, and although I prefer using one of my model 1s, the model 2 is still good (imo!).

Mega CD mk2 and 32X look great on it whereas they look like ass connected to a model 1 MD.
11-09-2014, 10:17 PM
SEGA.GENESIS1989

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Jackal

I used a model 2 for the majority of my childhood, and never once noticed the sound being an issue. Of course, now I can understand the difference, and although I prefer using one of my model 1s, the model 2 is still good (imo!).

Mega CD mk2 and 32X look great on it whereas they look like ass connected to a model 1 MD.

I agree and therefore by the power invested in me by the ~~state~~ ... ahem ... province of Ontario, I christen thee with rep! :ok:
11-10-2014, 04:10 AM
fluxcore

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuickSciFi

Did I forget to mention I've owned many model 1s since the mid 90s? Either way, funny how you throw the word "ignorance" around like that.

It's a matter of preference, nothing more.

Erm, I'm sorry? Not entirely sure what your point actually is there. If it's related to the sound, then I absolutely refuse to believe there are people that prefer the stock MD2 sound, but I absolutely understand there are people that haven't noticed it's worse, or don't care - and more power to them. Similarly when I bought my first pair of decent speakers I understood just how terrible 128kbps MP3s are. Before that, I was blissfully unaware.

If you mean preference between MD1 and MD2 hardware, well of course... and I was merely pointing out some advantages the MD2 has.

In either case, nothing I said was intended as a derogatory or inflammatory, and I don't understand what you've taken offence to, but I can only apologise.
11-10-2014, 08:15 AM
BonusKun

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetastrike

That would fix the video problem if you had a model 2 with the samsung encoder, but it won't help the bad audio at all.

I figured as much. Still kinda sad to hear that tho.
11-10-2014, 11:50 AM
genesisguy

I'm some what of an audiophile.

I get cranky when my vinyl get's scratches, I spend way too much time and money trying out new needles on my turntable. I play guitar through vintage amps and I'm constantly swapping tubes.

Now unless your playing your Genesis through anything but your TV's crappy speakers you shouldn't really notice much of a difference. I really don't get the must have the best sounding Genesis and if I don't I'm going to mod the heck out of the one I have until it sounds better mentality. I had friends with Model 1 and Model 2 Genesis consoles growing up, and I'm sure some of the model 1s might have been the VA7 version. We never could tell a difference. Probably because we were all talking to each other and enjoying the gaming experience. Also we had crummy TVs with RF connections.

But again. Unless your plugged into something other than your crappy TV's speakers none of this should really matter.

Also the VA7 model 1 and the later Model 2s have superior video quality to the coveted early model 1s that sound the best.
11-10-2014, 12:17 PM
graffias79

I can remember renting a 32x from the video store to play Virtua Racing when it came out. It came with its own Genesis to make hooking it up easier I'm sure. I remember trying some of my other Genesis games through the 32x (because it was neat I guess) and being slightly horrified with how it sounded. Of course I tried Streets of Rage 2 and thought maybe there was something wrong with that Genesis. It must have been a VA7 model 1. Back then my video game listening device of choice was a pair of headphones from a walkman plugged into a Sony boombox with line-in, but in the case of the Genesis straight into the front jack.
11-10-2014, 02:06 PM
evilevoix

Model 1 by a Mile.
11-11-2014, 03:16 PM
True Grave

I've never bought the "issues" with sound on model 2. Yes I've seen all the comparison vids, yes I get that there is a oh-so slight "hint" of difference. Its nowhere enough to bash it over.

If nothing else, Choose model 1 because it looks cooler and like a slick piece of 80's stereo equipment. It just has more "presence" than the model 2.
11-11-2014, 04:18 PM
16BIT4EVER

Quote:

Originally Posted by True Grave

If nothing else, Choose model 1 because it looks cooler and like a slick piece of 80's stereo equipment. It just has more "presence" than the model 2.

I'll agree with that. The model 1 is one of the best-looking consoles ever made.
11-11-2014, 05:06 PM
QuickSciFi

Quote:

Originally Posted by True Grave

I've never bought the "issues" with sound on model 2. Yes I've seen all the comparison vids, yes I get that there is a oh-so slight "hint" of difference. Its nowhere enough to bash it over.

If nothing else, Choose model 1 because it looks cooler and like a slick piece of 80's stereo equipment. It just has more "presence" than the model 2.

Repped for truth.

Though I'm of the opinion the Model 2 cooler and more slick. ;)

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