PC Engine/Turbografx Beginner Tips
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nicksbrain
Cheng's Errand Boy
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hey guys... before opening a new thread, I try to post my question here.
I've read so much about PC Engine that it's time to get one - my dilemma is that I want one of the duos and if possible in nice condition and boxed with the necessary mods (at least RGB)... R/RX are superior from what I read in this thread, but would a regular Turbo Duo with a recap (and region free / RGB mods) turn out to be about the same in regards to reliability?
thanks for your advice, cheers
Nick
I've read so much about PC Engine that it's time to get one - my dilemma is that I want one of the duos and if possible in nice condition and boxed with the necessary mods (at least RGB)... R/RX are superior from what I read in this thread, but would a regular Turbo Duo with a recap (and region free / RGB mods) turn out to be about the same in regards to reliability?
thanks for your advice, cheers
Nick
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A black Duo that's been recapped will probably be more reliable than a Duo R/RX. The motherboard/components (capacitors aside) seem to be of slightly higher quality. Also, headphone jack if that kind of thing tickles your fancy.
Don't be that guy.
Don't be that guy.
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The big difference is the caps. Duo-r and Rx have better sound caps than the regular duo. The regular duo has a headphone jack that the white ones don't. These things are old anyway, so you might as well change the sound caps while you get it modded. They're all basically the same as far as reliability, but remember these consoles are old and will break down.
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Missed that part- yeah you're gonna shell out a ton to get these things boxed now.
nicksbrain
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thanks for your replies, guys.
well yeah, I was thinking the same, regarding not being that guy with the boxed console... thing is, a boxed, recapped, region free and RGB modded Turbo duo is about the same as a Turbo Duo R without box and the same mods. but then again, it's not that I have all my boxes on display or anything... well, let me think a little while longer, but atm I'm trending towards the Duo-R, since it seems to be more reliable.
Funny thing: almost all the reasonable Turbo Duo RX auctions I see atm are with the standard 2 button controller
well yeah, I was thinking the same, regarding not being that guy with the boxed console... thing is, a boxed, recapped, region free and RGB modded Turbo duo is about the same as a Turbo Duo R without box and the same mods. but then again, it's not that I have all my boxes on display or anything... well, let me think a little while longer, but atm I'm trending towards the Duo-R, since it seems to be more reliable.
Funny thing: almost all the reasonable Turbo Duo RX auctions I see atm are with the standard 2 button controller
ShootTheCore
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Forget the box - you can't play it if it's in the box!
A recapped black Duo is perfectly solid and reliable. Both me and a friend have each used one regularly for over 20 years now with no issues.
A recapped black Duo is perfectly solid and reliable. Both me and a friend have each used one regularly for over 20 years now with no issues.
Everyone is always looking for a Duo-r/rx but a capped PC Engine duo is very reliable. I have capped like three of them and afterward they worked flawless. You can also change the lasers with new ones that are still being made.
I would also stay away from the boxes especially of the US Turbo Duo it's just not worth it. You may be able to find a Japanese box but that is up to you. A pc engine brief case combo is another alternative and probably not as expensive as a duo-r.
I would also stay away from the boxes especially of the US Turbo Duo it's just not worth it. You may be able to find a Japanese box but that is up to you. A pc engine brief case combo is another alternative and probably not as expensive as a duo-r.
nicksbrain
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thanks for reassuring me, I think I'll go with the recapped black one, I like the design a little better that the R/RX.
nicksbrain
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ah btw... price wise (shipping from JPN not included):
boxed, recapped, RGB modded and region free Turbo Duo: ~tree-fitty
RGB modded, recapped Turbo Duo R: ~400
Any word on compatibility with the TurboEverdrive (Krikkz site mentions something that region free modded consoles might not work) meaning what to watch out for?
I already learned that certain sellers' consoles on ebay (doujindance for instance) cause problems that have to be fixed by soldering...
boxed, recapped, RGB modded and region free Turbo Duo: ~tree-fitty
RGB modded, recapped Turbo Duo R: ~400
Any word on compatibility with the TurboEverdrive (Krikkz site mentions something that region free modded consoles might not work) meaning what to watch out for?
I already learned that certain sellers' consoles on ebay (doujindance for instance) cause problems that have to be fixed by soldering...
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I mean, if you see a niced boxed setup for about the same price or slightly higher than a loosey go for it. But most of the PCE noobs in the past few years have been insisting on boxed/complete everything, pay triple what it's worth just for some cardboard, and the prices continue to skyrocket. That's why PCE stuff is so expensive now, 5 years ago it was cheap as hell.
JoeAwesome
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What's a recapped, RGB modded and region free Turbo Duo cost without a box?
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i found a blax PC-Duo on ebay, for 230 shipped (controller, AV, PS brick included), not capped, a friend is doing that for me. I'll do the RGB mod myself and don't have a use for the region mod.
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JoeAwesome
I survived Secret Santa, It wasn't Easy.,
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Better than ~400 for a Duo-R. It's not like there's a ton of games that use the 6 button controller.
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I had a issue with region modded systems with the everdrive V2 but not with the V1. Don't get the system region modded unless you plan on playing tg games.
ShootTheCore
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If you truly care about the long-term reliability of your Duo, I would purchase an unmodded console and then get the recap and/or mods done by someone that has a proven track record of quality work (e.g. Voultar, Xian Xi, Kiel among others). If you buy one already pre-modded, you'll likely have no idea what's under the hood - it could be a rat's nest of randomly-malfunctioning wiring horror.
Unfortunately, I found this out first hand when I sent my Duo off to a modder that I didn't vet throughly enough - it took more money and effort than the console was honestly worth to get it straightened out again after that guy was done with it. Pics of the nightmare here: http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showt...-Work-Thread&p=4068501&viewfull=1#post4068501
Unfortunately, I found this out first hand when I sent my Duo off to a modder that I didn't vet throughly enough - it took more money and effort than the console was honestly worth to get it straightened out again after that guy was done with it. Pics of the nightmare here: http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showt...-Work-Thread&p=4068501&viewfull=1#post4068501
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nicksbrain
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Thanks for the infos guys, I think I must reactivate my soldering skills (or maybe just have a buddy with real skills do the soldering)...
and well, your modded PCE's not as bad as the NES in that thread
dat hotglue!
and well, your modded PCE's not as bad as the NES in that thread
dat hotglue!
Ren-chan
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+1. I got mine unboxed (a Duo-R) and without the hucard cover, but the system works perfectly and that's why we all here bought it.
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What's a good "bro price" for a core grafx?
Doesn't need to be modded - composite is fine.
AC, AV, and controller preferrably.
Doesn't need to be modded - composite is fine.
AC, AV, and controller preferrably.
nicksbrain
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haha, I bought a PC Engine Duo R and will do the modding (RGB and maybe some caps) myself. I'll be back as soon as I fucked sth up 
MrWunderful
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These days, the only useful beginner tip is to get a re-capped Duo, a PCE Everdrive and a stack of CD-Rs. PCE is giving the AES a run for its money these days.
ShootTheCore
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haha, I bought a PC Engine Duo R and will do the modding (RGB and maybe some caps) myself. I'll be back as soon as I fucked sth up
Congrats! The caps aren't too hard but be careful when soldering up your RGB tap lines. The pins are small and you can toast your Hu6260 if you're not careful. Voultar's Mod Shop has the best RGB amp for Duos right now IMHO.
Cap kits and diagrams are available at Console5.com
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