Optical S/PDIF Mods for SNES andGameCube

[Seraphic]

Does anyone have experience or know of a person with experience in performing the optical S/PDIF audio mod to an SNES and GameCube? Modding the SNES in this manner looks to be much more common then the GameCube as with the GameCube, you could just purchase a Panasonic Q that already has Optical S/PDIF output built in. But it is nearly impossible to find a Panasonic Q GameBoy Player.

[BuckoA51]

Word of warning before you spend lots of money on this, I've never personally encountered an AV receiver that doesn't have the 'silent streaming' bug. If the audio on your game goes completely quiet, you will then miss the first half a second or so of the audio when it comes back on when using SPDIF on most amps.

[shmuppyLove]

Gamecube digital audio is a biiiiiiiiiitch

Not only do you need a Gamecube that has the digital AV port (somewhat difficult to find these days), but you need to hack the very expensive and hard to get component video cable, and build a circuit to convert the audio and connect it to a TOSlink connector.

[muckyfingers]

Word of warning before you spend lots of money on this, I've never personally encountered an AV receiver that doesn't have the 'silent streaming' bug. If the audio on your game goes completely quiet, you will then miss the first half a second or so of the audio when it comes back on when using SPDIF on most amps.

I've had the same experience using digital audio from the SNES/XBOX/PS2/PC into my receiver so I bought dedicated DAC (Tube Magic D1) to use in conjunction with my receiver. That fixed the issue and the SNES sounds crystal clear compared to the standard stereo out. My music streamed from my PC sounds wonderful as well.

I'm not utilizing the Tube portion of the DAC since I want my sound as neutral/natural as can be, I can always mess with equalizers if I want more bass and what not.

[Artemio]

Just as a note, It was very disappointing back in the day to find out the Panasonic Q didn't support toslink with games, just with DVDs

[Seraphic]

Just as a note, It was very disappointing back in the day to find out the Panasonic Q didn't support toslink with games, just with DVDs

That is nice to know. DVDs only, whoa.

Gamecube digital audio is a biiiiiiiiiitch

Which is why I was looking for an experianced person to do it

you need a Gamecube that has the digital AV port

My Cube has the digital port.

you need to hack the very expensive and hard to get component video cable

Have the D-Terminal cable

[RGB32E]

I've SPDIF modded several SNES systems. I prefer to use a coaxial connection, and is a cleaner mod than optical.

Nothing about the GameCube mod requires a component cable, just the port. Acem77 just decided to make his external, so that's why a component cable was involved. The problem with his mod is that it requires an external master clock, which causes jitter (digital timing errors). I haven't found any info on where to tap the master clock signal in the GameCube so that I can perform this mod. Even though space is limited, the CS8406 comes in a TSSOP package, so I think an internal mod could work no problem!

[cyborc]

Like RGB32E I SPDIF modded my snes with coax. Can you use a soldering iron at all? If someone with my limited skills can mod an SNES for digital audio, you should be able to. It's a lot easier to do it on a SNES mini because all of the points you have to solder to have via holes so you don't have to solder wires on any IC legs. The biggest pain in the ass is soldering the tiny cs8406 to a dip adapter and then connecting up all the various points.

It's definitely a mod worth doing, the difference is quite apparent. I use a Yamaha AVR and have never experienced the silent streaming bug. I was under the impression that the bug only affected PCs. guess not.

[ZellSF]

Word of warning before you spend lots of money on this, I've never personally encountered an AV receiver that doesn't have the 'silent streaming' bug. If the audio on your game goes completely quiet, you will then miss the first half a second or so of the audio when it comes back on when using SPDIF on most amps.

Not a problem on my AVR (Pioneer). It's not perfect, but I only notice skips on signal changes (PCM to DD for example) and even then never as much as 500ms. There's a specific PCM input setting on the AVR exactly for dealing with this type of problem and I never felt the need to use it.

I did sell a Harman Kardon that felt like skipping anywhere between 1 to 5 seconds and lost PCM sync whenever there was 50ms of silence though. That one was fun.

[BuckoA51]

I upgraded to a newer Cambridge Audio (551R) last year and I was quite disappointed to find it still had the problem same as my old one. For a £700 receiver it really should work better. My parents Onkyo does it too, as did the old Yamaha receiver I used to have.

[ZellSF]

If possible you should find some way to test before buying, there's definitely variances in how well it's handled.

[BuckoA51]

Richer Sounds are normally pretty good with that kind of thing, but apart from that bug I'm pretty happy with the unit. It's certainly a very common problem though.

[Seraphic]

I prefer to use a coaxial connection, and is a cleaner mod than optical.

Is the mod internal? With the coaxial port on the back of the SNES with the other I/O ports?

Can you use a soldering iron at all?

Never used one to be honest and I also don't have a lot of free time right now.

Nothing about the GameCube mod requires a component cable, just the port. Acem77 just decided to make his external, so that's why a component cable was involved. The problem with his mod is that it requires an external master clock, which causes jitter (digital timing errors). I haven't found any info on where to tap the master clock signal in the GameCube so that I can perform this mod. Even though space is limited, the CS8406 comes in a TSSOP package, so I think an internal mod could work no problem!

So you haven't personally performed this mod as there are unknown factors pertaining to the master clock?
Also, if an internal mod is possible is coaxial an option here too? And what about games that support Dolby Pro Logic II? Would the coaxial/optical port pass them?

[RGB32E]

Is the mod internal? With the coaxial port on the back of the SNES with the other I/O ports?

Yes, it's internal. Remove the RF modulator and put a panel mount jack in it's place.

Never used one to be honest and I also don't have a lot of free time right now.

This isn't a mod for someone with no soldering experience.

So you haven't personally performed this mod as there are unknown factors pertaining to the master clock?

Did I say I had performed this? No one seems to have located a spot on the GameCube PCB to tap a 12.288MHz clock signal. The documented mod uses an oscillator (external clock). I'll have to order an oscillator and give the GameCube a try within the next month or two.

Also, if an internal mod is possible is coaxial an option here too?

Of course. The CS8406 can be used to output digital audio over coax, optical, or AES/EBU.

[beharius]

Check this too...

http://www.gc-forever.com/forums/viewto ... =26&t=1236

[Seraphic]

Check this too...

http://www.gc-forever.com/forums/viewto ... =26&t=1236

Interesting stuff. There is also a mod on that forum for Gamecube Digital AV to direct HDMI / VGA.
Looks to be external at the moment but very cool never the less. So many possibilities.

RGB32E, please let me know when you have a chance to try this your GameCube and how it goes.

[EmperorZelos]

excuse my ignorance but why would you want a SPDIF output on those consoles?

[kamiboy]

Same reason as many of the other crazy mods discussed in these forums. Marginal improvement of quality.

[EmperorZelos]

how does this improve quality at all?

[muckyfingers]

how does this improve quality at all?

You get to use a better DAC than the one in the system you mod.

[EmperorZelos]

Again, my ignorance here is great but my thirst for knowledge is infinite and hence greater still

What does DAC stand for?

[trap15]

Digital-to-Analog Converter

[EmperorZelos]

Ah I see, alright that makes sense

[kamiboy]

Basically with this mod you get to transport the sound output from the SNES digitally to your receiver. No conversion to analogue takes place untill your receiver receives the raw digital signal. The improvement comes fom the assumption that your receiver has a much higher quality DAC inside it and since you dont have to transport an analogue signal through a long wire you also avoid electromagnetic interference degrading the sound signal.

The result is, in theory, that you get crystal clear sound from the SNES whereas before you may have had some hissing and whatnot. My untouched SNES sounds pretty fine to my ears so I can never be arsed to mod it, but then again I am not much of an audiophile.

[djvinc]

This is because back in the days, cheap DAC were embedded in those consoles, and they tarnish the sound quality of the sound processors.
Your sound is much nicer with a digital output and an external DAC.

[cyborc]

The main reason I did the mod on my SNES is because I often use headphones and I was tired of the sound buzzing when using RGB. SPDIF=crystal clear sound, no buzz or hiss.

[ruger]

Not a problem on my AVR (Pioneer). It's not perfect, but I only notice skips on signal changes (PCM to DD for example) and even then never as much as 500ms. There's a specific PCM input setting on the AVR exactly for dealing with this type of problem and I never felt the need to use it.

ZellSF, which Pioneer model do you have?

[ZellSF]

Not a problem on my AVR (Pioneer). It's not perfect, but I only notice skips on signal changes (PCM to DD for example) and even then never as much as 500ms. There's a specific PCM input setting on the AVR exactly for dealing with this type of problem and I never felt the need to use it.

ZellSF, which Pioneer model do you have?

That's a random question... VSX-LX52. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

[BuckoA51]

I recently returned my Cambridge Audio Azur 551R as I couldn't stop it randomly dropping LPCM audio over HDMI. I'm going to book in with Richer Sounds and take the PS3 with me to try and find a current amp that doesn't have the silent streaming bug. I've got 3 shortlisted in my price/feature range so hopefully one of them at least doesn't have the issue. Anyway, I'm throwing this off topic...

[RGB32E]

I've got 3 shortlisted in my price/feature range so hopefully one of them at least doesn't have the issue.

Which 3 receivers are on your list?