Something isn’t quite right with the sound coming out of the Aiwa Mega-CD CSD-GM1. In fact, it sounds terrible! Thin, tinny and with practically no bass whatsoever. Where has all the amplification gone?!

I’m doing a little comparison between the audio from the Aiwa units while running Mega Drive cartridges, switching modes and resetting things to see what changes. One setup sounds considerably healthier than the other, although there’s still plenty of trouble to investigate.

Of course, trying to insert a Mega Drive cartridge with one hand while holding the camera isn’t particularly easy. One of the cartridge slots could probably do with a good cleaning as well. These old machines certainly know how to keep me busy!

There’s another interesting symptom too. I’m hearing a hum when certain bright or white screens appear. Between that and the rather unpleasant sound quality, I’m wondering whether something in the audio amplification circuitry isn’t doing its job properly.

But which part? And is it a problem with the Game Unit, the Aiwa’s audio circuitry or something else entirely?

Another mystery for another day, I suppose!