Digital Audio Output

[deathmonkey]

Ok, so I've read the FAQ and feel competent enough to be able to pull this off when my new Saturn arrives. I would like to see a couple of pics though and gather some further advise from others who have completed this mod. Anyone here done this (I presume so)?

I'll probably be fitting a Toslink transmitter to as I just seem to prefer that to coax.

The Saturn I'll be modding looks to be MkII Japanese NTSC model.

Also, what other hardware mods are there out there? I'd love to know what others have done.

[mick_aka]

I've always been happy with the quality of the audio as is, and besides my retro audio equipment would make such a mod pointless for me

Anyone else done this one?!

[deathmonkey]

Well, my new Saturn arrived today and everything seems to be working. So, on Saturday I'm going to make a trip to Maplins and then give this a shot. Wish me luck!

I'll try to take some pics and make notes as I go.

[mick_aka]

Sounds good deathmonkey, if you fanciew writing a guide for the main site that would be awesome

[Dr Greenrinse]

I'd like to see a guide too I'm very interested in having a go at this myself!

[liveinabin]

Would it really make much difference? Since all you're getting is stereo, there can't be much benefit to simply moving the D-A conversion from the console to the amp.

[clerksfan4life]

Yeah, I don't think it would add much to the sound. I've got my sound running from my Saturn to my TV and then to an amp and it sounds perfect.

I'd like to see how it works out though so good luck with it

[deathmonkey]

I have it on good authority that it will make a very noticeable difference as the DAC stage in the Saturn isn't particularly hot to say the least.

Unfortunately due to my recent accident I've lost the use of my right hand and am doped up to much to even attempt this mod yet, though I'll get to it eventually.

[consolepassion]

It is a relatively straight forward mod:

gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:saturn_sp_dif

The CS8406 DAT is tiny and soldering onto the pins is almost impossible, so you will need to get a DIP adapter board, making the whole job a lot easier.

AndyB

[deathmonkey]

Thanks for the info.

Here is part list for this mod, anything I've forgotten got wrong please feel free to point it out (note I'll harvest wire from elsewhere):
uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1023446
uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1182591
uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1225775
uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=147899

Now I just need to decide which of Saturns to try this out on.

[consolepassion]

You don't need the vero board and the adapter is wrong. What you need is an adapter like this:

cgi.ebay.co.uk/SOIC-to-DIP-Adapter-28-pin-10-pack_W0QQitemZ260293386827QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item260293386827&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177

You fix the DAT to the adapter and solder to the points on the adapter board. Much easier.

I think the Toslink is OK - it looks from the datasheet like it can attach to your case easy enough.

I have only done it with Coax (which requires two resistors) so I'd be interested to know how you get on.

AndyB

AndyB