Sansui Joycard SSS Help

[Zeloz (akaBill)]

So just the other day, I bought one of these nifty Famicom-esque controllers, but I quickly ran into an issue that seems to plague some of those who have also purchased this controller used. See, the headphone port's kinda iffy, outputting no sound normally and giving off soft sound when the volume slider is turned all the way up and I press the headphone jack as far into the port as it'll go. I've tried the thing with multiple headphones, but I get the same result every time, so I'm thinking it's the headphones jack.

I know I could probably just replace the thing, but it seems to work fine as a regular controller (even though the turbo sliders also don't work, but I'll get to those later). Is anyone familiar enough with third-party controllers to help me?

[Xious]

I'm sorry to tell you, but if you are using this on the NES, there is nothing to which you can connect for audio out on its controller connectors. If I remember rightly, these were designed for the FC and FC clones, then later released with NES wires for other markets; and therefore use the audio output signal on the DA-15 Expansion port on FC systems, however, although this signal exists on the NES, it is not connected to the controller ports.  

[Zeloz (akaBill)]

So... the Famicom's expansion port could transmit audio out? Interesting, but I'm not sure what you're getting at. For audio out, I would think this red RCA cable extending from the controller wire would take care of that, as it connects to the audio out port of the NES system itself.



My problem isn't so much getting sound to the controller so much as it is getting sound out of the controller at full volume. When I plug in headphones to the controller, sometimes sound comes out, albeit very soft sound. Most times though, without jamming the headphone jack into the port on the bottom of the controller, I get nothing. I'd like to say this is due to one of the components inside the controller falling victim to wear and tear or age, rather than a fundamental design flaw when porting from FC to NES. But that's just my two cents, whatever that's worth.

[Xious]

I forgot that NES versions have this cable... I saw a huge pile of these on liquidation years ago, and said 'Interesting.', but I didn't buy them, and I've detested that decision ever since. 'Twasn'tt the first time I made this type of error in judgment.

You can check the solder joints, and the phono connector,however I would advise checking the volume slider first. Slide-switches of any type are prone to oxidation, which will impede the signal through to your headphones. Failing that, check the amplifier first.  

P.S. You can view the Famicom version, before anybody tells me that it doesn't exist. 

[Zeloz (akaBill)]

Alright, so I opened up the controller and checked the volume slider. Sure enough, the prongs were black with corrosion and were in dire need of cleaning. I went to work with some cotton swabs, rubbing alcohol and pencil erasers (though using the latter very lightly as to not bend the contacts out of place). I got a good bit of the corrosion off, and as of now the volume slider works just fine!

Which means now, when I firmly press the headphones into the headphone port with the slider at full volume, I get loud, scratchy sound as opposed to the soft sound I've been getting. Progress!

My hypothesis is that there's some sort of problem with the contacts inside of the headphone port.

[Xious]

It's probably still somewhat oxidized, and not making a solid connection. What do you hear at half-volume?

[Zeloz (akaBill)]

At around half-volume, it sounds just about right actually. And this is only when I push and hold the headphone jack into the controller. Letting go of the headphone jack yields no sound.

[Xious]

I figured that at full volume you were over-amplifying the audio signal. ... The headphone jack is probably a clip-based type: You might be able to use a pick to repair it. Otherwise, check its solder joints (reflow them), and if that does not help, then repair or replace the barrel itself.  

P.S. I find it interesting that Hudson paid Sansui a license to do this, and that Sansui actually let them, given how non-HiFi the Famicom audio output was. 

[Zeloz (akaBill)]

Alright, thanks for all the help Xious. I've tried cleaning the contacts inside of the barrel, but to no avail still. I'm wanting to replace it now, though finding a similar one with the same solder points and everything's going to be an issue, unless I just buy another controller. But that would kinda defeat the purpose of my trying to repair it anyway. Ah well, it's a nice looking controller anyway, and for $5, it's still something of a bargain. Once I feel confident enough around the soldering iron, I'll try reflowing or replacing it later.

And again, thanks for all the help!