Audio quality tests

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Disclosures

  • EON GCHD Mk-II was provided by EON Gaming.
  • HD Retrovision SNES Component Cable was provided by HD Retrovision.
  • Insurrection Industries CARBY was provided by Insurrection Industries.
  • Retro-Bit Retro Prism Component Cable was provided by CastleMania Games.
  • RetroTINK-5X Pro was provided by RetroTINK.

32kHz sample rate

Using MDFourier 1.08 with this reference file.

The 32kHz sample rate is most commonly used by licensed software. It is upsampled to 48kHz in hardware prior to final output.
The nominal sample rate is 54MHz÷1124, rather than 54MHz÷1125. This is reflected in the frame duration of the standard equipment test.

A 15kHz white screen was displayed to induce audible noise.

ASUS PRIME X570-PRO & ProArt X570-CREATOR WIFI

Using ALC1220 (S1220A).

This sound card serve as our analog reference.

Source Difference Noise floor Time spectrogram
CVBS Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
CVBS Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
CVBS Wii AV Cable
With C/RVL-CPU-01
CVBS Wii AV Cable
With PWB/CPU/AU/HF-C/WUP-01
Y/C Generic S-Video Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
RGBCVS HD Retrovision SNES Component Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
YPBPR Bitfunx/Kaico GameCube Component Cable
Swapped L/R
YPBPR GCVideo-DVI v3.1 + Portta HDMI to YPbPr Converter
DC Offset
YPBPR GCVideo-DVI v3.1 + Portta HDMI to YPbPr Converter
DC Offset + Sample Rate Hack [1]
YPBPR Retro-Bit Retro Prism Component Cable
Swapped L/R
🎧 Wii U GamePad
With PWB/MAIN/AU/HF-C/DH-01

Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle

Using CS42526 and ADV7604.

Source Difference Noise floor Time spectrogram
CVBS Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
CVBS Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
Y/C Generic S-Video Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
Y/C Hyperkin 3-in-1 HDTV Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
RGBCVS HD Retrovision SNES Component Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
YPBPR Bitfunx/Kaico GameCube Component Cable
Swapped L/R
YPBPR Retro-Bit Retro Prism Component Cable
Swapped L/R
TMDS GCVideo-DVI v3.1
TMDS GCVideo-DVI v3.1
Sample Rate Hack [1]
TMDS Wii U HDMI Cable

Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1850

Using CX23888.

Source Difference Noise floor Time spectrogram
CVBS Nintendo RF Modulator
With DOL-CPU-11
CVBS Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
Y/C Generic S-Video Cable
With DOL-CPU-11

Open Source Scan Converter

Using PCM1862.

Source Difference Noise floor Time spectrogram
RGBCVS HD Retrovision SNES Component Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
YPBPR Bitfunx/Kaico GameCube Component Cable
Swapped L/R
YPBPR GCVideo-DVI v3.1 + Portta HDMI to YPbPr Converter
DC Offset
YPBPR GCVideo-DVI v3.1 + Portta HDMI to YPbPr Converter
DC Offset + Sample Rate Hack [1]
YPBPR Nintendo GameCube Component Video Cable + Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
YPBPR Nintendo GameCube Component Video Cable + Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
YPBPR Nintendo GameCube Component Video Cable + Generic S-Video Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
YPBPR Retro-Bit Retro Prism Component Cable
Swapped L/R

RetroTINK-5X Pro

Using PCM1808.

Source Difference Noise floor Time spectrogram
CVBS Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
CVBS Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
Y/C Generic S-Video Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
RGBCVS HD Retrovision SNES Component Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
YPBPR Bitfunx/Kaico GameCube Component Cable
Swapped L/R
YPBPR GCVideo-DVI v3.1 + Portta HDMI to YPbPr Converter
DC Offset
YPBPR GCVideo-DVI v3.1 + Portta HDMI to YPbPr Converter
DC Offset + Sample Rate Hack [1]
YPBPR Nintendo GameCube Component Video Cable + Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
YPBPR Nintendo GameCube Component Video Cable + Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
YPBPR Nintendo GameCube Component Video Cable + Generic S-Video Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
YPBPR Retro-Bit Retro Prism Component Cable
Swapped L/R

48kHz sample rate

Using MDFourier 1.08 with this reference file.

The 48kHz sample rate is most commonly used by homebrew software and streaming audio in licensed software.
The nominal sample rate is 54MHz÷1124, rather than 54MHz÷1125. This is reflected in the frame duration of the standard equipment test.

A 15kHz white screen was displayed to induce audible noise.

ASUS PRIME X570-PRO & ProArt X570-CREATOR WIFI

Using ALC1220 (S1220A).

This sound card serve as our analog reference.

Source Difference Noise floor Time spectrogram
CVBS Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
CVBS Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
CVBS Wii AV Cable
With C/RVL-CPU-01
CVBS Wii AV Cable
With PWB/CPU/AU/HF-C/WUP-01
Y/C Generic S-Video Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
RGBCVS HD Retrovision SNES Component Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
YPBPR Bitfunx/Kaico GameCube Component Cable
Swapped L/R
YPBPR GCVideo-DVI v3.1 + Portta HDMI to YPbPr Converter
DC Offset
YPBPR GCVideo-DVI v3.1 + Portta HDMI to YPbPr Converter
DC Offset + Sample Rate Hack [1]
YPBPR Retro-Bit Retro Prism Component Cable
Swapped L/R
🎧 ASUS ProArt X570-CREATOR WIFI
90% Volume
🎧 Wii U GamePad
With PWB/MAIN/AU/HF-C/DH-01

Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle

Using CS42526 and ADV7604.

Source Difference Noise floor Time spectrogram
CVBS Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
CVBS Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
Y/C Generic S-Video Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
Y/C Hyperkin 3-in-1 HDTV Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
RGBCVS HD Retrovision SNES Component Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
YPBPR Bitfunx/Kaico GameCube Component Cable
Swapped L/R
YPBPR Retro-Bit Retro Prism Component Cable
Swapped L/R
TMDS GCVideo-DVI v3.1
TMDS GCVideo-DVI v3.1
Sample Rate Hack [1]
TMDS Wii U HDMI Cable

Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1850

Using CX23888.

Source Difference Noise floor Time spectrogram
CVBS Nintendo RF Modulator
With DOL-CPU-11
CVBS Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
Y/C Generic S-Video Cable
With DOL-CPU-11

Open Source Scan Converter

Using PCM1862.

Source Difference Noise floor Time spectrogram
RGBCVS HD Retrovision SNES Component Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
YPBPR Bitfunx/Kaico GameCube Component Cable
Swapped L/R
YPBPR GCVideo-DVI v3.1 + Portta HDMI to YPbPr Converter
DC Offset
YPBPR GCVideo-DVI v3.1 + Portta HDMI to YPbPr Converter
DC Offset + Sample Rate Hack [1]
YPBPR Nintendo GameCube Component Video Cable + Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
YPBPR Nintendo GameCube Component Video Cable + Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
YPBPR Nintendo GameCube Component Video Cable + Generic S-Video Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
YPBPR Retro-Bit Retro Prism Component Cable
Swapped L/R

RetroTINK-5X Pro

Using PCM1808.

Source Difference Noise floor Time spectrogram
CVBS Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
CVBS Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
Y/C Generic S-Video Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
RGBCVS HD Retrovision SNES Component Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
YPBPR Bitfunx/Kaico GameCube Component Cable
Swapped L/R
YPBPR GCVideo-DVI v3.1 + Portta HDMI to YPbPr Converter
DC Offset
YPBPR GCVideo-DVI v3.1 + Portta HDMI to YPbPr Converter
DC Offset + Sample Rate Hack [1]
YPBPR Nintendo GameCube Component Video Cable + Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
YPBPR Nintendo GameCube Component Video Cable + Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
YPBPR Nintendo GameCube Component Video Cable + Generic S-Video Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
YPBPR Retro-Bit Retro Prism Component Cable
Swapped L/R
🎧 ASUS ProArt X570-CREATOR WIFI
90% Volume

96kHz sample rate

The 96kHz sample rate is an unused feature intended for playback of DVD-Audio.
The nominal sample rate is 54MHz÷562, rather than 54MHz÷562.5.

Instrument measurements

SIGLENT SDS1104X-E

1000Hz tone
Source VPP VMax VMin VRMS
L R L R L R L R
CVBS Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
5.40 5.36 2.68 2.64 -2.72 -2.72 1.81 1.81
CVBS Nintendo Stereo AV Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
5.36 5.36 2.64 2.64 -2.72 -2.72 1.81 1.81
CVBS Wii AV Cable
With C/RVL-CPU-01
4.96 4.88 2.48 2.44 -2.48 -2.44 1.74 1.71
CVBS Wii AV Cable
With PWB/CPU/AU/HF-C/WUP-01
5.04 5.04 2.52 2.52 -2.52 -2.52 1.67 1.68
Y/C Generic S-Video Cable
With DOL-CPU-11
5.44 5.40 2.68 2.68 -2.76 -2.72 1.82 1.81
RGBCVS HD Retrovision SNES Component Cable
With C/DOL-CPU(P)-10
5.36 5.36 2.64 2.64 -2.72 -2.72 1.81 1.81
YPBPR Bitfunx/Kaico GameCube Component Cable 5.80 5.88 2.88 2.92 -2.92 -2.96 1.95 1.99
YPBPR GCVideo-DVI v3.1 + Portta HDMI to YPbPr Converter 2.40 2.40 1.20 1.20 -1.20 -1.20 0.787 0.788
YPBPR Retro-Bit Retro Prism Component Cable 5.80 5.72 2.88 2.84 -2.92 -2.88 1.97 1.94
🎧 Wii U GamePad
With PWB/MAIN/AU/HF-C/DH-01
1.00 1.00 0.50 0.50 -0.50 -0.50 0.275 0.275

Conclusions

  • Unless your hearing above 8kHz is shot, the Bitfunx/Kaico GameCube Component Cable and Retro-Bit Retro Prism Component Cable will sound dramatically different from anything else.
    • Due to a firmware bug, their effective sample rate is 24kHz.
    • No audio frequencies above 12kHz can be reproduced, and content above 12kHz is aliased into lower frequencies.
    • The audio from these cables is not recommended for use with Game Boy Interface due to excessive aliasing.
    • The red audio cable is the left channel, and the white audio cable is the right channel.
  • Unshielded audio/video cables will induce 15kHz noise.
  • GCVideo-DVI's Sample Rate Hack is an option of last resort.