The Evolution64 - Is it worth the money?
The 8-Bit Guy・13 minutes read
The Evo64 is a high-quality board for audio and video performance designed without original C64 chips, featuring unique components like SID sockets and ZIF sockets, cleaning up video circuitry and omitting RF modulators for improved quality, requiring adjustments in installation and offering enhanced sound and video quality through additional chips, making it a good replacement option under $300. Audio captured through tubes requires conversion and transistor equipment, with a dual SID configuration and modern VIC-II chip tested for enhanced performance, but the pricey NuTube option may not be recommended except for serious audiophiles.
Insights
- The Evo64 is a high-quality board designed for superior audio and video performance, featuring unique ZIF sockets for components, a built-in PLA, and a NuTube 64 vacuum tube amplifier for SID chips.
- Testing a dual SID configuration with an additional SID chip and a modern VIC-II chip can enhance sound quality and video reliability, making the Evo64 a worthwhile replacement option for C64 boards under $300, although the NuTube option's high price may not be recommended except for extreme audiophiles.
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Recent questions
What is the Evo64?
A high-quality board for audio and video performance.
How does the Evo64 improve audio quality?
Through a NuTube 64 vacuum tube amplifier.
What are the benefits of a dual SID configuration?
Enhanced sound quality and video reliability.
What are the key features of the Evo64 board?
Two SID sockets, ZIF sockets, and NuTube 64 amplifier.
How does the Evo64 address video quality issues?
By providing a cleaner video circuit than the original C64.
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Summary
00:00
Evo64: High-Quality Board for Enhanced Performance
- The Evo64, short for Evolution 64, is a high-quality board designed for superior audio and video performance.
- The board does not include original C64 chips, requiring users to provide them.
- It features two SID sockets compatible with different SID chips.
- The board contains unique ZIF sockets for components and a traditional ZIF socket for the ROM.
- The Evo64 includes a built-in PLA and a NuTube 64 vacuum tube amplifier for SID chips.
- The video circuit on the board is cleaner than the original C64, eliminating jailbars.
- The board lacks an RF modulator, replaced by the NuTube 64 amplifier.
- Installation of the Evo64 into a Commodore bread bin case involves adjusting voltage settings for the VIC-II and SID chips.
- Initial testing of the Evo64 revealed issues with chip orientation due to lack of labeling on ZIF sockets.
- After resolving installation issues, the Evo64 demonstrated improved video quality compared to original C64 systems.
12:53
Enhancing Sound Quality and Video Reliability
- Audio captured through tubes needs to be converted by transistors, compressed, and then decompressed for playback on transistor equipment to achieve optimal sound quality, with the suggestion of using tubes all the way to the speakers for improved sound.
- Testing a dual SID configuration with an additional SID chip and a modern VIC-II chip to eliminate sprite flicker, resulting in enhanced sound quality and video reliability, making it a worthwhile replacement option for C64 boards under $300, but the NuTube option may not be recommended due to its high price unless for extreme audiophiles.
