Gameboy DMG - Audio buzzing/noise from using AC adapter?

Hey everyone,

I noted that when using a universal power supply (rather than batteries) that my Gameboy DMG (as well as pocket) seems to emit a constant static/buzzing/noise from the speaker. This sound is of constant loudness regardless of how much (or little) I turn the volume knob. I assume this is completely normal for the Gameboy? Does performaing a Prosound / Capacitor mod reduce this effect, or is this purely because the AC adapter introduces noisy power which can't be fixed?

 

Probably noise from the power supply.

Is it linear or switching?

 

Well, being an electronics layman I'm just guessing, but I assume it's switching because it has a slider for picking the voltage you want to use? Its a cheap AC adapter I got from Radio Shack/The Source for like 25 bucks, and it has a switch for 1.5v, 3v, 4.5v, 6v, 7.5v, 9v, and 12v. It is rated for 300ma. Since the DMG says it uses 6v on the back, that's what I set it to.

Do you think I just need to spend on a better AC adapter? Or maybe even try to find an official one?

PS: I've seen online people selling these USB to Gameboy DMG power adapters so you can plug into any USB port instead of a wall socket (or directly to a wall socket if you use a USB charger). Would those be any better as an alternative?

 

Yup, it's definitely the cheap (well actually $25 sounds like a ripoff tbh) psu - I had the same issue with a GBA. Try different ones until you find one that outputs less noise, or get rid of the cable and juggle two sets of rechargeables (that's what I ultimately ended up doing).

Not sure wether a cap mod of the gameboy helps, but if you're feeling adventurous you could try adding a smoothing cap to the output of your psu...

 

Thanks for the kind advice. I did end up returning the AC adapter in the hopes of finding a better solution. Do you think power from a USB cable (5v) via PC or wall socket would be any cleaner?

 

A (desktop) PC PSU (with, even or without a puter around it if you like) should be fine, but of course usually isn't very portable. Laptops, dunno, and it might even change based on wether it's currently running off batteries or not. Worth a try though since computer hardware can be pretty sensitive so they can't cheap out on the PSU too much. USB from a wall socket is basically just your standard, usually rather crappy phone charger behind a socket cover, so again, depends.

 

Thanks for the kind advice. If I had to get a proper universal AC adapter (That isn't crummy/cheap), would you recommend any types or brands? Or are most after-market ones sold at Walmart, RadioShack, etc just crummy cheap (without exception)?

 

I get the buzzing noise with the original AC adapter, and the original battery packs as well. Are you sure that the DMG just doesn't buzz when using a power supply? Any solutions?

 

Took me a moment to look up a couple things, but I recall doing these mods on the DMG not too long ago...

Doing an internal prosound mod (bypassing the DMG sound amp / snipping the left & right audio leads on the headphone jack / wiring directly to the volume pot) should help quite a bit - reducing background noise / buzz / hum. However, it lowers the overall volume of the output.
I've replaced the caps in the headphone jack with 'audiophile' grade capacitors with positive improvements on sound also.

Time to do a few of those again soon, I think.

 

Ah, that's good to hear. If it's simply a matter of doing a pro-sound/capacitor mod, that would be great as at least now I know my Gameboy isn't defective or worse than it should be.