Sega CDX....I don't want this to break, do I?

[ifkz]

I've always been a fan of the Sega CD, since around 1992 when I first saw a demo of the console to present day. It was never something I could have afforded back then. I made it a point to get whatever Sega CD systems I could find when I was getting my collection together (late '90s to 'bout 2008), which brings me to the Sega CDX. Almost darn near impossible to find outside of ebay or a retro game store (on a good day), I got lucky and found mine in a thrift store 5 minutes before it had closed in the early 2000's...after years of searching. Believe it or not, they were not giving it away but I didn't care.

The laser has been getting weaker, I'll admit it has been a year or two since last use. Right now it is running the classic Silpheed as I type. I got one read error through the game and cleaned the lens with isoproply alcohol, a q-tip, and some compressed air. So far after the cleaning, it's 100%.

Does anyone risk using this collectible anymore? Does it just sit in your "wow, I have it!" section of your collection?

I probably don't want to think of repair later in it's life, do I?
Any common problems that have cropped up over the years? Sega isn't known for bad caps like other manufacturers, but they all will need a refreshing. Not looking forward to that work.

Any tear-downs of the console online?

...And yes, this is using an official Sega CDX adapter, which are....always... impossible to find if missing.

[Wraith Storm]

The CDX is a great system that I still use to this day. Although the X'Eye has proven to be the better of the 2 combo systems to get stateside, I find myself using the CDX more often because of its smaller form factor.

The only issue I have ever encountered with my CDX is that sometimes the 'Open' button on the CD lid sticks. All I have to do is tap the lid closed a few times and then it eventually latches. I have heard of a few others who have had the same issue with it.

As far as more serious issues with bad caps and lasers and the like, I haven't heard of anything common among the CDXs.

[goatdan]

Does anyone risk using this collectible anymore? Does it just sit in your "wow, I have it!" section of your collection?

I can't say that I have any consoles in my collection that I don't use to play. If it isn't there to be played, I don't need it in my collection.

My CDX is my only Genesis, Sega CD and is used to play 32X games too.

[substantial_snake]

I bought my cdx specifically for its compact size over my now backup Genesis model 1/Sega CD 2. Its great for taking over to friends houses to play something different or to get more people interested in older games. That and its reduced my wire/AC adaptor load leads to fewer headaches and more room on a limited space power strip, definately something I use regularly and not a collection piece.

Just like with old cars though I find the idea of a collectors console just to look at or show off pretty useless. I have heard of people who do this with both the CDX and first edition wondermega, however due to it being fairly common less so for the CDX

[Aussie2B]

I use my CDX. Not often, since it's stored at my mom's house and I only use it when I visit, but I still use it nonetheless. I'm not worried about breaking it. I have plenty of systems that are worth more than the CDX that I use without any qualms.

[ifkz]

One good thing to come out of this thread: after years of ownership and plenty of trying, I finally beat Silpheed. My CDX gave me one read error on the next to last stage, but recovered nicely and played through till the end. Now I can say I finally finished this fantastic title :)

[crazyjackcsa]

My CDX is my Genesis and gets weekly use. I also use it as a cd player (just because I can) when it's hooked uip and I run it through my surround sound.

[ifkz]

Giving Sonic CD a run through today, no hiccups so far! Maybe Silpheed just had a stray bit of dust, I know the Sega CD didn't have error correction.

[Polygon]

I can't say that I have any consoles in my collection that I don't use to play. If it isn't there to be played, I don't need it in my collection.

My CDX is my only Genesis, Sega CD and is used to play 32X games too.

This is exactly how I feel. I don't get systems that I won't play. I am concerned about failures, however. This is why I own multiples of each system I own. That way I have spares in case something happens that I can't fix.

[Genesaturn]

While I've never heard of any laser issues on the CDX , there is always the possible with every electronic device to be that "one" that does. I hope for your sake it isn't going bad, but as everyone else said...whats the point of having a CDX and not play with it? Its like buying figures to keep inside the packaging...I wont go there though :)

[jb143]

Sega isn't known for bad caps like other manufacturers,

Unfortunately, all electrolytic caps have an expected lifetime. It's generally listed on their spec as something like 5000Hrs@85 degrees. The better the cap, the higher the numbers but they will all one day fail. Fortunately, they are generally easy to replace and should be easy to get for a long time to come.

The laser, though, will likely (very) slowly dim with use until it no longer works. Unless someone still makes a replacement 30 years from now you might be out of luck. On the other hand...there still is a market for NOS and modern replacement tubes and other vintage electronics parts so you never know.

[Genesaturn]

Unfortunately, all electrolytic caps have an expected lifetime. It's generally listed on their spec as something like 5000Hrs@85 degrees. The better the cap, the higher the numbers but they will all one day fail. Fortunately, they are generally easy to replace and should be easy to get for a long time to come.

The laser, though, will likely (very) slowly dim with use until it no longer works. Unless someone still makes a replacement 30 years from now you might be out of luck. On the other hand...there still is a market for NOS and modern replacement tubes and other vintage electronics parts so you never know.


This is why whenever someone I know says they have broken systems I ALWAYS take them. I have a closet full of xbox, 360, nes, and genesis systems that for some reason or another do not work. Sometimes I try fixing them, but otherwise they become fodder for parts.

[ifkz]

+1, it is good to always have spare systems.

I finished Sonic CD yesterday, also for the first time ever. Fun game, but it changes around the Yuji Naka Sonic formula in favor of exploration. I also thought it seemed to borrow the engine from Sonic 1, which made it a little antiquated, but the art team really pushed the game to an 11. It gets my vote for the prettiest 16-bit Sonic. I also see Knuckles Chaotix on the 32X as a direct descendant.

What is it with this system that is bringing my gaming up to another level?

From an old sticker, I realized I must have owned this system for a decade now. Great, if odd feeling...glad I rescued it all those years ago.

Only one real spurt was one time with the CD audio in game, but another round of cleaning has paid off. This time instead of compressed air, I used suction. I'll wager the internal laser mirror is probably dusty. I've fixed a couple dirty PS2 laser mechs, but this I'm leaving alone.

Next up is starting from scratch on Shining Force CD, this time using the RAM cart so I can finally play that third chapter. So far, so good.

[WelcomeToTheNextLevel]

The CD part of my CDX doesn't work. I would really love for it to. I put Sonic CD, Eternal Champions Challenge From The Dark Side, and Star Wars in it. It barely spun the CD then didn't work. The cart slot works but Beavis and Butthead gave me trouble.

[Scotterpop]

The cart slot works but Beavis and Butthead gave me trouble.

Haha, those two always were a couple of troublemakers! LOL

Even though I also have a Genny1/Sega CD2 combo, I still can't bring myself to part with my CDX. Such a cool piece of hardware.