It's arrived - The Sega SKC-1000

The thing is though, when ever you see one of these on a Japanese sales site they never mention the Sega Saturn part. I guess this is why to use gamers it's quite an unknown bit of kit.

The machine is old now so I guess there aren't that many great looking systems left out there however strangely there does seem to be a fair few CD Changers. Maybe the CD Changer could be used with a variety of different main units?

 

Sure thing ASSEMbler. I'll send you a PM about it once I get home tonight.

 

I'd be interested in seeing how the RGB output looks. My Saturn has a decent RGB output (much less noise over the audio than my SFC), but not as good as my Genesis, which looks super sharp. My ST-V (Saturn-based arcade board) also looks better than my Saturn. I'm not really sure what makes some RGB signals better than others, other than interference.

 

Sorry I didn't see this thread sooner or else I would have chimed in.

I've actually owned a few of them over the years. I sold a set on eBay maybe 3-4 years ago. Since then I've had a couple of other sets but they are problematic. I ended up selling those back on Yahoo again.

First of all, the karaoke function usually has a credit system. You have to make sure you're buying an unlocked unit or else you won't be able to do much of anything because the machine won't have credits. Owners had to keep purchasing credits from Sega to keep their system unlocked. Most of the units you see now are all used up. The ones advertised as unlocked can be a lot more expensive. That's to say you should be the regular "junk unit" with caution. It might actually work but not be able to do anything other that display a message saying you have to buy credits from Sega.

The units I had did not have working Sega Saturn hardware. You could access the tray on the bottom left, insert a disc, but nothing would happen. They also had a ton of dust in them so I think most owners never used them and they just decayed over time. I actually think you're pretty lucky to get one with a working Saturn unit.

The changer doesn't play games. I believe there was also a transport lock similar to an LD player or high end CD player. You have to make sure the lock is open or else the motor doesn't move. That too me ages to figure out...

As for rarity, you can usually find at least one on Yahoo at any given time. Sometimes they come in massive sets with the changer, amp, control unit, remote controls, song books, etc., and sometimes it's just a single piece.

Enclosed are some pictures of the Saturn tray, front panel, and the back of the machine.

 

Mine must be unlocked because there's nothing at all about credits on the system. Also, you do know you need to press the saturn / karaoke button to switch between the two fuctions?

 

I tried every button every different way...heh. Does it go to the boot screen when you press the button, then read the CD like a regular Saturn? I'm pretty sure the disc wasn't spinning but it's been years now.

 

Yep, that's exactly what it does.

 

Very interesting! It's amazing how we still come across curiosities like this so long after the Saturn's commercial lifetime!

 

:thumbsup:

I'd sooner buy the CD Changer from Yakumo before seeing it get parted out to lord knows where. Good thing Assembler has this covered.

 

Oh my god that thing is freaking awesome! Wow, that really makes me want one badly. How much would one cost in USD? That would make for the most awesome media center/stereo system! Plus I could even play my Saturn games on it?

DO WANT! :love2:

Sega really has some very unique hardware in the gaming industry, from home consoles, to arcade machines, to Karaoke units... Seeing Sega hardware history never ceases to amaze me.

 

There's a system on Yahoo right now in separate auctions. The amplifier goes for 6000yen BIN (100$).

 

Holy crap dude, wish I had one.

 

may you intrest, the system is called "Prologue 21" a search on google throws me this http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/rig_veda/49476922.html
hope some can translate it, seems intresting, btw, the cd changer is a SKW2000A, rarely there's something Denon branded with the same model, gonna keep searching

 

i knew it! was denon!! http://segaretro.org/SKA-3000_Amplifier

the pic of the inside show clearly that the board says denon

 

Columbia, who make all of this karaoke equipment for Sega normally make cheap retro looking shit. I was very surprised to see that they were behind these Sega karaoke units because these systems are quality. Solid build, amazing audio and packed with features.

Here's the sort of cheap crap that normally comes from Columbia.



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So, is Columbia part of Denon? It would explain the high quality of the Sega karaoke units. But if they are, why would a company known for high end audio want to make such cheap shit?

 

from wikipedia "The Denon brand was first established in 1947 when “Nippon Columbiaâ€￾ merged with “Japan Denki Onkyoâ€￾.[3] “D&M Holdings Inc.â€￾ was created in May 2002 when Denon Ltd and Marantz Japan Inc. merged" so... impressive that crap of denon, actually i've opened a few denon cd player, most of them look pretty similar to the Sega one, but still have some crappy feeling on them, ie: most of denons with MP3 have cheap lenses made by sanyo, their are not that bad, but a brand like denon can tottaly put something better, Numark uses Sony lenses.

 

Sony lenses are piss poor as well. Just look at the many PlayStation, discman and Sony Minidisc laser issues. Surprisingly, Victor (JVC) make pretty good lasers.

 

i agree, sony lenses aren't the best but not as bad as sanyo, and agree too that JVC lenses are really good, besides, JVC is the owner of Taiyo Yuden, the best blank media on the market, another good lens maker used to be Matsushita (panasonic) their Technics cd player last for over 18 years of abusive use (dj used them in argentina) and still working, i've got a few, love them

 

Oh yes, Panasonic do make some very solid DJ CD decks. I once had a Technics CD mixer desk that was so tough. The abuse that took yet never skiped once.

Yakumo