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So I've finally decided to get myself a cd rom setup. However I have 2 choices
1)briefcase with 3.0 card
2) duo modded to play both us and jp cards

Both are refurbished caps/gear and RGB modded.
The duo is about £20 more than the briefcase.
Does anyone have a preference between the two or is this a stupid question ?

In all my tests with refurbished and unrefurbished setups, Duos seem to load faster and have quieter chip sound. Combos have louder search sounds, especially CD-ROM units with the cheaper good-enough replacement gear.

Black Duos have an earphone jack that outputs the same sound as the AV jack. CD-ROMs have an earphone jack that outputs only the CD sound.

The briefcase likely suffers some level of yellowing unless it was bleached/retrobrited.

Black Duos have a large model 1 Mega Drive style AV cable sticking out the left side and power jack on the back. IFUs have rca and power jacks on the right side. Duo R/RX have Duo AV port and power jack on the back.

Arcade Card PRO typically sells for more than the DUO.

Quote from: guest on 03/22/2015, 12:02 PMIn all my tests with refurbished and unrefurbished setups, Duos seem to load faster and have quieter chip sound. Combos have louder search sounds, especially CD-ROM units with the cheaper good-enough replacement gear.

Black Duos have an earphone jack that outputs the same sound as the AV jack. CD-ROMs have an earphone jack that outputs only the CD sound.

The briefcase likely suffers some level of yellowing unless it was bleached/retrobrited.

Black Duos have a large model 1 Mega Drive style AV cable sticking out the left side and power jack on the back. IFUs have rca and power jacks on the right side. Duo R/RX have Duo AV port and power jack on the back.

Arcade Card PRO typically sells for more than the DUO.

Yes.  Also with the IFU, there's a lot more troubleshooting if something goes awry thanks to all the various interconnected hardware (especially if you're a layman like me).

However, I've heard rumors that the black Duo doesn't read CD-Rs as well as other variations, if that's important to you.

I prefer the look of the briefcase, but as others have said it can be a bit more finicky... A Duo-R/RX is the best overall route but as for briefcase vs black duo, personally I'd go briefcase.

Make sure you get a lid, and clean the yellowing off the white bits of the system when you can, it looks very posh in good or better condition.

Personally, my list (according to the look of the systems) would be Briefcase > Duo > Duo-R...for functionality it would be Duo-R > Duo > Briefcase.

thanks guys ill take this on board

The smart person would get a Duo R. It's probably the cheapest and most reliable setup. That being said, I sold my Duo and have two briefcases and a Turbo CD setup.

BEEF CASE THAT'S BEEN FULLY RESTORED.

DO IT

DO IT

BEEF IT UP.

Quote from: guest on 03/23/2015, 12:00 AMBEEF CASE THAT'S BEEN FULLY RESTORED.

DO IT

DO IT

BEEF IT UP.

I did it I did it!

Quote from: JKM on 03/22/2015, 08:35 PMThe smart person would get a Duo R. It's probably the cheapest and most reliable setup. That being said, I sold my Duo and have two briefcases and a Turbo CD setup.

Duo R/Rx are few and far between here and the cost of shipping from the far east/west kind of made it an unviable option for me.

Purely for aesthetic reasons, I'd say go with a Brief Case.  Not that the Duo looks much bad by any stretch of the imagination, but the Brief Case is a splendid and handsome setup.

Duo.  The only reason to go with a beefcase over a Duo is aesthetics.  Alternatively, you could go with Option C - SGX with SuperCD.  Or Option D - all of the above..... it's only money.  :mrgreen:

Quote from: wildfruit on 03/23/2015, 02:23 AM

Quote from: JKM on 03/22/2015, 08:35 PMThe smart person would get a Duo R. It's probably the cheapest and most reliable setup. That being said, I sold my Duo and have two briefcases and a Turbo CD setup.

Duo R/Rx are few and far between here and the cost of shipping from the far east/west kind of made it an unviable option for me.

Don't listen to these folks. The briefcase is a nice setup. However, like everything else, it might need some maintenance/repairs.

AS A BONUS YOU HAVE A SEMI-PORTABLE CD-PLAYER NOW!!!!

That was a very nice feature for late 80's. :)

Quote from: esteban on 03/23/2015, 11:09 AMAS A BONUS YOU HAVE A SEMI-PORTABLE CD-PLAYER NOW!!!!

(https://i.imgur.com/Ycn6E.gif)

Damn right.

I have always loved the Duo Design. I say for everything get a duo. However once you buy the duo you will want the briefcase next.

Quote from: Groover on 03/28/2015, 07:03 PMI have always loved the Duo Design. I say for everything get a duo. However once you buy the duo you will want the briefcase next.

So true.

So with many arguments for and against I went with briefcase.
Arrived today but only 5 minutes before I went to work so I haven't had a chance to test it out.
 Its not very yellowed either and the lid is still intact.
Ys 4 got delivered today and in it was the original disc and a cdr. Maybe the previous owner already ripped and patched the iso..ill find out tomorrow .
Oh and how tiny is it!