Orange Universal Ladybug board, Low audio

[Dionea]

Hi all, hope somebody has ideas on the following:

The Issue:
Recently acquired an orange Ladybug board (the one-board version that came after the original two-board release). Game plays fine, no video issues. Audio is present, but very quiet. The volume pot on the board has no effect.

Work Done:

• Tested with two different JAMMA adapters:
  • One with built-in amplifier (not required for Ladybug)
  • One without amplifier
  → Same issue on both setups
• Swapped the HA1388 amplifier IC → no effect

Planned Work:

• Replace all electrolytic capacitors (awaiting delivery)

Details:
From what I’ve read, orange Ladybug boards are often reported to have audio issues. Many listings mention either very soft sound or no sound at all.
This board also shows a lot of factory rework (extra solder joints, cut traces). It looks original since I’ve noticed exactly the same on other orange boards being sold.

Question:
Has anyone here had similar experiences with the orange Ladybug boards and their audio problems?

 

[nem]

I recapped mine. Perfectly loud. Try that first.

You likely noticed, but you can replace the axial capacitors with radial lead ones. There are alternative solder holes available.

Picture of my board.

Mine also has the freeplay and highscore save enabling roms from Gadgetfreak.

 

[Dionea]

Thanks! Yeah, I noticed the possibility for radial caps but was able to get the axial ones. I will recap and then see.

Mine has quite some rework done, with traces cut and sometimes different components. It seems factory done (I think to fix the coin input issue), as I've seen exactly the same applied changes on multiple boards. Don't think that is related to the sound issue though.

 

[Ape Cosplay]

Thanks! Yeah, I noticed the possibility for radial caps but was able to get the axial ones. I will recap and then see.

Not necessarily a bad choice. Axial capacitors with their lower profile have a lot less chance of being ripped off the board.

 

[Dionea]

I replaced all electrolytics on the board, no difference.

It looks like there are at least two board revisions with factory rework in the audio and coin sections (but same mentioned 1806-II board ID). At location T1 you can tell them apart on the component side:

• Factory-modified revision → edge side of the chip has two ceramic caps + one electrolytic
• Unmodified revision → three ceramic caps

What’s interesting is that every example I have seen reported with audio issues has been one of the modified revisions (there is one on eBay right now that matches this pattern).

This makes me wonder if those boards required a slightly different harness or output configuration, and that is why the audio problems show up when using a JAMMA adapter?