Digital Audio mod for SNES 2/Mini/Jr?

[DaddyLongLegs]

I can find documentation quite easily on how to get S/PDIF from an original SNES, but nothing on the SNES 2/Mini/Jr.

Does anyone know how I could go about doing this mod to what I believe is the best system of all time?

[shadowkn55]

You can the the s-apu column on the gamesx article for the mini snes. It's treated the same as a 1 chip APU and I've done it in the past so I know it works.

[APE992]

Have fun with the frequency being off just enough to cause problems.

[DaddyLongLegs]

Have fun with the frequency being off just enough to cause problems.

Ugh, I've read about this a bit. What will this result in? I heard it might just mean my receiver can't decode it or something? Or is it going to be worse?

A *big* reason I want to do this (besides the beauty of having digital audio from my SNES) is every single damn SCART switchbox I use produces audio buzz. I've tried like 4 of them already, and they all do it no matter what system I have hooked up. Figure this would get around that (I'd use an audio switch for the digital audio part).



You can the the s-apu column on the gamesx article for the mini snes. It's treated the same as a 1 chip APU and I've done it in the past so I know it works.

Thanks so much!

[shadowkn55]

I use a Kenwood and Pioneer receiver to test out the snes digital audio and it works just fine. Unless you have super picky equipment, you should be fine. The only way to know for sure is to do it.

[DaddyLongLegs]

I use a Kenwood and Pioneer receiver to test out the snes digital audio and it works just fine. Unless you have super picky equipment, you should be fine. The only way to know for sure is to do it.

Thanks but after going to gamesx, it seems like every one of the parts they list is no longer sold. If you could be so kind, can you tell me exactly what I need to buy?

[shadowkn55]

You can use the CS8406 as a substitute. The pinouts differ but if you're handy reading datasheets, matching up the new pinouts should be pretty easy. Digi-key currently has them in stock.

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=598-1757-ND

[APE992]

Worst case? You'll find that your audio equipment won't be able to use the signal.

Secondary to worst case? The sound might be "funny". In most cases it should be fine.

I've been tempted to try out doing one of these mods but I've never found a SNES that was compatible. I'd highly suggest making a PCB to solder the Cirrus Logic chip to allowing the work to be a lot easier.

[shadowkn55]

I've been tempted to try out doing one of these mods but I've never found a SNES that was compatible. I'd highly suggest making a PCB to solder the Cirrus Logic chip to allowing the work to be a lot easier.

All the snes models are compatible with the digital audio mod. Some are just easier to do than others. I also recommend getting a pcb to attach the digital audio chip. Surface mount stuff is hard to work with even with good tools.

[DaddyLongLegs]

Thanks so much, you guys are super helpful.

I am a bit worried about buying the different chip though, since as shadowkn55 states, it's a different layout than the one there are guides for. Is there any way to figure out where I'm soldering what?

[shadowkn55]

Apparently there are instructions for the cs8406 on the bottom of the snes digitial audio page at gamesx.

[DaddyLongLegs]

Apparently there are instructions for the cs8406 on the bottom of the snes digitial audio page at gamesx.

Thank you so much. I could swear that image was not there yesterday!

What I can't figure out exactly is what else I need to buy besides the cs8406? Just an optical output port and that's it?

[APE992]

IIRC yes. And a lot of 30AWG wire and a steady hand.

[DaddyLongLegs]

I hope I'm not coming off as a huge pain in the ass but what exactly am I looking for on eBay? A female optical audio port? That's it?

The guide on gamesx isn't really clear. What do I wire the optical port to exactly?

[shadowkn55]

It's easier to mount an rca jack onto the system than a toslink connector. I recommend doing that if your receiver can take in digital audio that way. Conveniently, digi-key also stocks an orange one.

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=CP-1468-ND

[DaddyLongLegs]

It's easier to mount an rca jack onto the system than a toslink connector. I recommend doing that if your receiver can take in digital audio that way. Conveniently, digi-key also stocks an orange one.

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=CP-1468-ND

Thank you so much. I just solder one wire up to that and that's it? Sorry, the description on gamesx is REALLY confusing.

Is that all I need for parts? That coax connector and the chip?

[Sensato]

I can also confirm that the digital audio mod works with a SNES2. I've just completed it yesterday and it works perfectly with my 2 audio receivers.

All you need for parts are a connector (either Toslink or coaxial, like the one show by shadowkn55) and a Cirrus transmitter. Note that if you use a coaxial connector, you also need 2 resistors (a 330 Ohms and a 91 Ohms) and set them up like in this picture:

http://gamesx.com/wiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?cache=&media=av:coaxial.gif.

Some may not realise it but that Cirrus transmitter is very small.


IIRC yes. And a lot of 30AWG wire and a steady hand.

Amen.

[APE992]

You do realize the the soldering to the inside of the SNES is really fine wiring. If figuring out the gamesx diagram is confusing you'll probably end up killing the SNES. No offense.

http://alpha-ii.com/Info/snes-spdif.html

This is pretty clear to me.

[DaddyLongLegs]

You do realize the the soldering to the inside of the SNES is really fine wiring. If figuring out the gamesx diagram is confusing you'll probably end up killing the SNES. No offense.

http://alpha-ii.com/Info/snes-spdif.html

This is pretty clear to me.

I did the RGB mod which is supposedly just as bad, if not worse. It's just not very clear on which pin goes where. I'm used to at least a photo or something instead of pin counting.

[shadowkn55]

The chart on the page pretty much sums up which pins go where. You also don't have to solder directly to the apu pins. You can follow the traces and solder to the more manageable vias (little holes). I've done the mini snes for digital audio in the past and there is a via for each of the apu pins.