There's zero proof that the Genesis model 1 produces better sound than model 2

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Originally Posted by Christuserloeser

Personally I use an RGB-SCART switch box that got an RCA cinch audio out which I send to my 70s Pioneer amp.

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I too have an RGB SCART switch box that I will be using to connect my MD to my TV (along with several other older consoles), which has a stereo cinch audio out. I just don't have a HiFi set near that switch box that I could connect it to, nor do I plan to (I don't have the room for one either). That's the simple fact of the matter.

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If you got a good sound source and bad speakers, the good sound will sound bad. If you got a bad sound source and bad speakers, the sound will sound twice as bad.

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Can't argue with that logic, but I find the sound coming from my MD2 to be 'good enough'. The biggest improvement in sound right now will come from replacing the TV. After that, we'll see what happens.

There's definitely a difference in the audio quality of the various Genesis revisions. That said, I think the practical significance of the difference has been overstated.

I have a VA1.8 Model 2, and after being told that the sound quality of that unit was piss-poor, I shelled out for an HD Model 1. And while I agree that the audio output of the HD Model 1 is better than the Model 2, with a brighter tone and better instrument separation, I certainly wouldn't describe the Model 2 as broken in comparison, as I've been led to believe.

It's somewhat analogous to JPEG image compression. If the Model 1 is like viewing an uncompressed raw image, then the Model 2 is like viewing an image compressed at a quality level of 80%. That seems like a big difference, but in practical terms, it doesn't amount to a whole lot because short of scrutinizing the image with a magnifying glass, most people can't tell that there is anything amiss with an image compressed at 80% quality, especially if they don't have the original uncompressed image to compare it with. In other words, the 80% compression quality produces an image that is good enough for most people in most contexts.

It's the same with the Model 2 Genesis. Without a pair of headphones and a Model 1 for comparison, few individuals are going to volunteer a complaint with the Model 2's audio quality.

I respect that the audio differences between the Model 1 and 2 are important to digital music audiophiles and fanatical Genesis collectors, but to the rest of us, those differences are, largely, meaningless. If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have gone to the bother of tracking down an HD Model 1. The Model 2 is just fine.

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Originally Posted by Night Driver

It's the same with the Model 2 Genesis. Without a pair of headphones and a Model 1 for comparison, few individuals are going to volunteer a complaint with the Model 2's audio quality.

I respect that the audio differences between the Model 1 and 2 are important to digital music audiophiles and fanatical Genesis collectors, but to the rest of us, those differences are, largely, meaningless.

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QFT

Toss in the fact that most people are running the sound through the TV speakers and you can see that the average person couldn't possible tell the difference between MD1 and MD2 sound.

Kind of related but I'm having difficulty getting my Model 1 to stop producing a constant amount of loud static noise. Granted this system has spent the better part of the year in a dusty garage so I guess it's just as well. On the other hand I got another model 1 in the mail which(aside from not working) has the static noise as well.

On both models I'm using headphones so I know it can't be the TV. Not sure what to do aside from shop around for another system(maybe I can get one bundled with some games I'm missing).

What about the AC adapter? I'm stuck with something from Sanyo so hrrm..

Ah, it' probably the headphone slider, they tend to get dirty and then staticky (dust gets into it, just like a volume knob on an old radio, the potentiometer gets dust into it and the contact gets messed up) See if moving the slider arround helps (or if it crackles as you move the slider), mine does this a little, but luckily not toward the upper end (you'd have it on full when hooked up to the sterio/TV)

Hmm nope not happening there. I also get this static when I hook the Genesis audio cable to the TV. I'm not sure how to describe the sound it's just BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR the entire time. The game's sounds also tend to sound scratchy.

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Originally Posted by Night Driver

I have a VA1.8 Model 2, and after being told that the sound quality of that unit was piss-poor, I shelled out for an HD Model 1. And while I agree that the audio output of the HD Model 1 is better than the Model 2, with a brighter tone and better instrument separation, I certainly wouldn't describe the Model 2 as broken in comparison, as I've been led to believe.

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I don't know much about the MD2 (i.e. which versions sound better and which worse), but I know that everything that came after the earlier model 1 variants can't really compete in sound quality. This includes Wondermega, X'eye, CDX, but not Nomad.

A chart I'd do would probably look like this:

1. HDG model 1
2. Nomad
3. X'eye, Wondermega, CDX
4. model 2

The sound quality among the model 1 and model 2 variants may differ but I think that this list would still be somewhat accurate even with these differences taken into account.

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It's the same with the Model 2 Genesis. Without a pair of headphones and a Model 1 for comparison, few individuals are going to volunteer a complaint with the Model 2's audio quality.

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I can hear the difference on my mono TV, without headphones.

I grew up with a HDG model 1 Mega Drive and I remember that even back in the days I noticed that my friend's Mega Drive didn't sound as good as mine and I do remember that it lacked the HDG logo. And my brother's model 2 sounded like it would output 11khz at best, with loads of distortion and noise.


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A while ago I made some recordings of my model 1 Genesis:

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Originally Posted by Christuserloeser

Got my MD-Pro back. Here are some recordings: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PLGB87XL

I used VGMplay and my model 1 High Definition Graphics Genesis (with TMSS). I had my Genny plugged into my 70s Pioneer amp and from there into my PC. The amp was set to +2 bass so it's a slightly warmer sound that you'd get when going straight via headphones.

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- Perhaps we need some recordings of the various model 2 revisions, made with certain games and under certain conditions. Then we could compare it to model 1 recordings of the same games made under the same conditions.

Here's a comparison between a VA1.8 M2 and an HD M1. The music is from the Pacific Coast stage of Road Rash. The music switches between the two consoles every 10 seconds, starting with the Model 2 and ending with the Model 2. Both consoles were recorded with the same exact hardware. The Model 2 recording was made from stereo AV cables from the AV port, the Model 1 with stereo AV cables from the headphone jack. The original sampling rate was at least 48kHz. The recordings were subsequently downsampled to 44.1kHz when they were converted to .ogg format. The clip is about 2.0mb and 1:30 in length. I've also posted the original recordings made from each console.

Road Rash M1/M2 Audio Comparison

EDIT: Link now points to revised audio files.

Thanks a lot for the upload! - I can hear the difference perfectly, but I would say that your VA1.8 model 2 sounds comparably clean, much more like the X'eye or CDX than my brother's model 2, which also was terribly distorted.

Regarding the choice of your source material: Like I mentioned earlier in this thread, certain sound drivers like those derived from GEMS (or like in your case: the EA sound driver) tend to downplay the sound difference quite a bit. Maybe give it another listen with Sonic, Golden Axe, or anything from Yuzo Koshiro, Technosoft or Konami.


EDIT - Normalized version of your recording: http://www.zshare.net/download/6146411793816c6c/

why you bump this old thread? I can see the difference now. The MD1/Genesis is vastly superior than MD2.

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Originally Posted by PepsimanVsJoe

Hmm nope not happening there. I also get this static when I hook the Genesis audio cable to the TV. I'm not sure how to describe the sound it's just BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR the entire time. The game's sounds also tend to sound scratchy.

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That seems to be an issue with the power supply, try to use another one from other Genesis or just buy one of those multi/V AC adaptors.

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Originally Posted by PepsimanVsJoe

Hmm nope not happening there. I also get this static when I hook the Genesis audio cable to the TV. I'm not sure how to describe the sound it's just BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR the entire time. The game's sounds also tend to sound scratchy.

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Are you playing a High Definition Graphics Model 1? The non-HDG model 1's I've tried all output a buzzing sound.

As requested, I've posted another comparison. This time Streets of Rage 2. The comparison clip a little over 1mb in size and it's 1:00 min. in length. Again, the audio switches between the Model 1 and Model 2 every 10 seconds, beginning with the M2 and ending with the M1. The clip has been normalized. I've also included the original recordings made from both consoles.



Same link as before

Audio Comparisons

EDIT: Link now points to revised audio files.

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Originally Posted by chinitosoccer

That seems to be an issue with the power supply, try to use another one from other Genesis or just buy one of those multi/V AC adaptors.

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Thanks I'll give it a shot.

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Originally Posted by Night Driver

As requested, I've posted two more comparisons. I put them in .ogg format this time.

SoRII begins with the M1 and finishes with the M1.
GIV begins with M2 and finishes with M2.

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Thanks! [That specific track of] Gauntlet makes it hard to hear the difference even for me, there's just too little going on.

I think SoR2 is a nice example, although I noticed that your model 1 suffers from slight distortion noticable on the bass drum. No biggie though, and similar to my Japanese non-TMSS Mega Drive.

Here's your recording normalized: http://www.zshare.net/download/61495395ab6d713e/
and here's my recording of the same track: http://www.zshare.net/download/61496989b350deee/

This was recorded straight via line in and has not been edited (other than fade-out and normalization). Also included is a short comparision between my recording and yours.