Mega Drive 1 headhones question

[Soulis]

A few days ago i got my Model 1 Mega Drive (i only had the Model 2 all this time) and today i finally tested it. Everything works OK but there seems to be a small issue with the headphone input. I can hear some white noise which is very noticeable when the volume is low. Is that normal?

[Drakon]

Is it a buzzing noise that changes in volume? The audio buzz I get when the system isn't getting enough power.

[TmEE]

That white noise is normal, the parts used in MD aren't exactly HiFi. The headphone amp is made for casette players and has a high noise floor.

[Christuserloeser]

Sure you got an early model ? (i.e. one with "HIGH DEFINITION GRAPHICS" written on its bezel?)

[Soulis]

Its not the version with that label written on its bezel. Its just a model 1 Mega Drive (Pal). I'm nor sure how to identify how early or late it is. All i know is that its sexier than the model 2.

[Drakon]

That white noise is normal, the parts used in MD aren't exactly HiFi. The headphone amp is made for casette players and has a high noise floor.

Yikes...is there anything you don't know about genesis era sega hardware?

[ItellYaHuat]

I've noticed that the noise is pretty loud when passing through different screens like title cards or logo screens and is quiet during each transition, if you know what I mean.

[Drakon]

I've noticed that the noise is pretty loud when passing through different screens like title cards or logo screens and is quiet during each transition, if you know what I mean.

That's what I was getting when my system wasn't getting enough power. It was this buzzing sound that would get louder....especially during the logo for sonic 2 when sonic runs back and forth. What's the power rating on the power brick your're using? Mine's 10v 850 ma.

[Ace]

I get a constant hiss on all Model 1s I use no matter what, but it's so faint, the audio completely masks it. It doesn't change no matter what's on the screen.

[ItellYaHuat]

I get a constant hiss on all Model 1s I use no matter what, but it's so faint, the audio completely masks it. It doesn't change no matter what's on the screen.

Yeah, same here for some of mine. It does this on one of mine though where it will have a background buzz/humming only on silent on title cards that occur before going to the main title screen of games such as Sonic, or NBA Jam. When audio is playing it's fine.

[Christuserloeser]

Its not the version with that label written on its bezel. Its just a model 1 Mega Drive (Pal). I'm nor sure how to identify how early or late it is. All i know is that its sexier than the model 2.

Would be worth tracking down a PAL model 1 with "High Definition Graphics and Sound" label. DEFINITELY worth the time and money.

[Ace]

If it's a late VA6 or a VA6.8 PAL MegaDrive Model 1, that won't be necessary. I would need to see the placement of the hookups in the back to confirm the motherboard revision.

[Soulis]

If it's a late VA6 or a VA6.8 PAL MegaDrive Model 1, that won't be necessary. I would need to see the placement of the hookups in the back to confirm the motherboard revision.

Would it help if i get a picture of the back? Although, i'm not sure about the quality...



Yeah, sorry for making your eyes hurt, i only have a crappy old phone for this kind of job...

[Ace]

That's a late VA6 or VA6.8, no doubt about it. If it was a VA7, the hookups would be placed further to the left. All MegaDrives prior to the VA7 have a faint hissing noise which is present no matter where the volume slider is placed. Just keep the volume slider at maximum volume, the sound of the YM2612 and SN76489 will drown out the noise.

[Soulis]

That's a late VA6 or VA6.8, no doubt about it. If it was a VA7, the hookups would be placed further to the left. All MegaDrives prior to the VA7 have a faint hissing noise which is present no matter where the volume slider is placed. Just keep the volume slider at maximum volume, the sound of the YM2612 and SN76489 will drown out the noise.

Thanks for the info. Yes, the hissing noise is only noticeable at low volume levels. Thanks all for the answers.