Vectrex buzz: fix or not?

[VectorX]

I added a poll to the wiki in case that, if your machine had to go into the shop, if you would fix the buzz while you were at it (if yours buzzes, which I assume most of ours does or did).

Me, I've had enough of it, since I got mine 30 years ago by this coming summer (wow, has it been THAT long now? ). Sure, I can tune it out, and it hasn't that bad altogether, but I've had enough of it.

Everyone should be able to vote, even without a Wikia account (let me know if that's incorrect though and I'll fix it).

vectrex.wikia.com/wiki/Poll:_the_Vectrex_buzz

[jasonbar]

I implemented the buzz removal circuit on mine. Love it. So quiet! :]

[VectorX]

Yeah, I've needed a break from it. It's been long enough. You can tune it out, but there's the occasional game like Continuum that has very little sounds, which it's near-awful then.

[vectrexmad]

Dec 18, 2013 16:32:23 GMT -5 jasonbar said:

I implemented the buzz removal circuit on mine. Love it. So quiet! :]

Which one did you do?

[jasonbar]

"No Buzz Vectrex" circuit by Bill Seiler, 2nd link from bottom of this page.

www.playvectrex.com/vectech_f.htm

I'd tried the undo-the-big-ground-wire trick first & it seemed to do nothing on mine.

-Jason

[vectrexmad]

Dec 18, 2013 18:27:15 GMT -5 jasonbar said:

"No Buzz Vectrex" circuit by Bill Seiler, 2nd link from bottom of this page.

www.playvectrex.com/vectech_f.htm

I'd tried the undo-the-big-ground-wire trick first & it seemed to do nothing on mine.

-Jason

Yes, same for me.

[akator]

II have often thought about doing a mod to eliminate the buzz. Sometimes it annoys me, sometimes I like it. When I play ParaJVE or other emulators I sometimes miss it. After all of these years I still can't decide.

If I ever do the buzz mod, I'm also going to add a headphone jack.

[VectorX]

Nuts, should've added an "I'm undecided" choice then

[xefned]

Definitely debuzz.
I'm a one-month Vectrex owner and already working on a debuzz. I won't fully enjoy playing it till it's removed. The way I figure: The buzz is a production flaw not intended by the designers. I'm surprised so many were produced before the fix.

Are most people satisfied with Bill Seiler's method? (Method 2: inserting a virtual ground amplifier.) Luke's Console 5 wiki page shows it provides a steep, but incomplete reduction in noise. It seems to be the tried-and-true method, but it looks like a blunt force instrument. Boosting the sound just gives it a fighting chance before running it unshielded through a sh*tstorm of EMI.

I'm thinking moving the power amp closer to the sound chip would be simpler and more effective. Tell me if it sounds daft. But I'll probably try it anyway, for the love of pure experimentation. I will post back if it's successful. If it's a failure, I'll not mention it and speak of it never again....  

[kokovec]

Nah. That buzz brings back too many childhood memories.

[tony]

anyone local to the san francisco bay are (i'm in fremont) willing to do a no buzz fix for an OG vertex owner? i'm pretty good at modding consoles but for some reason, this one frightens me.

i'll of course pay for any parts and your time. if you are interested, you can email me at:

tony DOT silveira AT ya hoo DOTTTT com

[gauze]

I like the buzz it keeps the tinnitus ringing company.

[gamezone]

I went with keeping the buzz. It is understandable after 30 years but removing the buzz is like taking the black and white/color switch off the Atari 2600 or modifying a Sega CD to a faster speed CD Rom. Or taking away the Sega Dreamcasts constant clicking. It adds character for me.