RCA Y-adaptor

[David J.]

Yet another tech question... If I use one of these, is there a loss in quality? I'm thinking about going back to my old setup, with Model 1 and Model 2 Genesis and CD units. In addition, I'll be running the audio out of the mixing jacks on both consoles to my TV, and I obviously won't be using both systems at once, but I'm just curious.

[evildragon]

there may be a buzz...

oh, but are you also going to Y-Adapter the VIDEO too? You'll get a dark picture possibly, but surely interference..

[David J.]

No, just audio.

[Joe Redifer]

There might be a small loss, but it is likely to be imperceptible as long as both units are not on at the same time. Expect an ever-so-slight weakening of the signal.

[David J.]

I've done some testing, and if there is a difference, it is very imperceptible.

[evildragon]

joe, will this damage the genesis? this is like connecting two genesis audio outs to each other.. i'd imagine this would hurt the amp/mixer in the Sega CDs..

[David J.]

I'm not plugging left and right phono cables into one y adaptor. One y-adaptor, I have two left (white) cables plugged into one y-adaptor that goes to the, well gee, white RCA plug on my TV. And the same for right (red), except it goes in the red RCA plug on my TV.

[Joe Redifer]

This won't damage a thing. Even if you plugged the left and right cables from the Genesis into the same Y-cable, it wouldn't cause any other harm other than summing the stereo to mono. I've done this before when making recordings of Genesis games on a mono VCR. I didn't want to lose any sounds, so I used a Y-cable and then gave the tape to my friends so they could watch how awesome the Genesis is. Nothing goes back to the Genesis through the cable.

[evildragon]

well, a Y plug technically technically connects both signals and grounds.. meaning, a Y plug could actually be used as an extension cord (without evening using the male end)...

I have a downmixer, which essentially works like a Y-Plug, but it has diodes (makes electricity go one way, not two ways) in them, preventing the audio from going back IN to the OUT port..

[je2000]

Why would you want to do this? Wouldn't you run the 3.5mm from the Genesis headphone out, to RCA input on your stereo?

Currently I have the default setup, mixing cable, RCA out to stereo, and I'm getting scratchy audio. I'm hoping this method will fix the problem as I read that ALL Sega CD audio and Genesis audio will head out of that headphone jack.

[evildragon]

To be honest, the mixing cable only use is to change volume of Genesis sounds..

If music CD's sound scratchy, even from the rear RCA jacks on the SCD without mixing cable attached, then your SOL, but i've never heard of this problem before..

you mention BIOS problems, that's Genesis sound for the most part.

It almost sounds as if your Genesis is the late MD1.. Those have absolutely horrible sound.

[je2000]

To be honest, the mixing cable only use is to change volume of Genesis sounds..

If music CD's sound scratchy, even from the rear RCA jacks on the SCD without mixing cable attached, then your SOL, but i've never heard of this problem before..

you mention BIOS problems, that's Genesis sound for the most part.

It almost sounds as if your Genesis is the late MD1.. Those have absolutely horrible sound.

Ugh...I just want to play Sega CD games at with good sound!! I added to the general sega cd thread for people who can't start new ones.

The sega cd sound is fine. I can play audio cd's and they sound great. It's the big thing on top that's screwing it all up...see other thread...