Sega Master System Mk1 no sound

Hi all,

I got a Mark 1 Master System for Christmas today it came without any power or video cables or controllers, but I already had my Mega Drive 1, so no problem.

However upon firing it up, I get a lovely crystal clear image but not a whisper of sound, even when the TV is cranked way up.

My MD RGB cable is the one with a separate stereo jack. Could it be that this cable is messing up the sound somehow? Otherwise I fear a dead capacitor, although I have no idea how to tackle that and the attempts at soldering I have made have been dreadful

It's a PAL VA3 board if that helps.

 

Update: just tried an RF cable and there's sound! So I'm relieved it's not a cap issue. Must be the cable...right?

 

Question, why do you call it a Mark 1 Master System? It's kind of confusing me what system you have (I think based on the last bit you have a Master System 1st version). Mark 1, Mark 2 & Mark 3 are Japanese sega systems (with M3 being nearly the same as Master System).

I say check that your cables are correct. I know the Sega Model 1 Video Cables are the same but I don't know if that is also true for the Power Supply.

 

This is completely normal. The reason why is because your MD cable is wired for stereo. As such, the mono pin on the DIN connector is disconnected. I use an official 32X patch cable for the model 1 MD/Genesis and a stereo MD/Genesis 2 RGB SCART cable. Since my cable ignores the MD/Genesis Model 2’s mono audio pin, I have to grab sound from RF.

Also the PSU from a MD/Genesis Model 1 works fine on the SMS Model 1. When comparing the official PSUs, the only difference is a 1.2 amps on the MD/Genesis PSU and 1 amp on the SMS PSU.

 

It's the Master System 1st version. The Japanese Mark I, II and III weren't called Master Systems, except for the version of the Mark III with built-in FM sound.

 

Figured you were talking about first gen MS. I guess my question is why call it Mark 1 when you (and I do as I stated in my post) know that is the name for a different line of Sega systems in japan. It would be like referring to the N64 as Nes 64. =)

(note don't take me as being harsh and more just pulling your leg, i'm a MS fan myself).

 

While it is commonly misconceived to call it the Mark I and Mark II, that naming convention did not exist until the Mark III. The SG-1000 and SG-1000 II are the real names of these consoles, standing for "Sega Game 1000" and " Sega Game 1000 II" respectively. These consoles are the same underneath for the most part. The Sega Mark III and Master System are different from the previous SG-1000 and SG-1000 II so they could be considered new consoles instead of revisions iirc.


I also solved the OP's original question in my post above in case it was overlooked...