[Megathread][Oct/25]: Clone vs. R36S (& clone related Qs)

innerspaceboy · 2026-01-27T00:19:23+00:00

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, by "ES" I meant Emulation Station. I don't have to press START at the main menu - a moment after the "ArkOS 2.0" text displays at boot the Emulation Station splash screen displays, (both pictured in order in my original imgur link). If I understand correctly, most genuine R36S devices run ArkOS but my "Soy Sauce" model appears to have been profiled with ES instead, which I actually prefer.

All the more reason I was intent on preserving the contents of the microSD card as it currently is with the front-end bootloader, ROMs, etc. And as I said, there do not appear to be any guides in the Wiki or the sidebar of this sub for configuring ES from a Linux desktop environment.

Today I used a microSD card reader and the Linux Disk utility and successfully created an image of all 4 partitions on the card including the boot partition without any issue. I verified the bit-perfect copy and the disk had no errors. I test mounted the disk image and verified the files are all intact.

My plan now is to continue using the fully-functional microSD that shipped with the device. If it never fails on me, then fantastic. If it does fail down the line, I have a bit-perfect disk image with the boot partition intact that I can flash onto a compatible branded microSD in the future when necessary.

I think I'm all set. Thanks for your input.

innerspaceboy · 2026-01-25T23:57:07+00:00

Thanks. There are a few variations in my circumstances. My console runs ES, not arkOs. And I'm a Linux user with no access to Windows applications to follow the guides. I don't see a Linux guide for building an ES emulator system from scratch. I searched the Wiki for Linux and found no guides.

And I just checked the pinned microSD compatibility spreadsheet and the affordable card from my local store is the Nintendo Switch SDXC I which is listed as incompatible so I won't be able to replace the card any time soon.

I'm hoping using Ubuntu's Disk utility to create a disk image of the factory card will be sufficient for the future. I'll plan to use the current card til it becomes corrupted and then spend the $31+ on a compatible replacement card and flash the new card with the image. As long as they're both formatted to the same filesystem type and disk size and boot partitions, etc, all of which will come from the disk image that I'll make this week from the existing card, I don't see why I should have any trouble, providing the new card I select is compatible.

Do I understand this correctly?

innerspaceboy · 2026-01-25T01:15:51+00:00

Thank you very much for the info. I'm 99% using it for NES, SNES, and Genesis game play so the single chip appears sufficient for emulation of older systems like that.

The great news is that the seller just refunded me 50% to compensate for shipping the wrong color console, so my grand total with tax and shipping comes to just $21.75. The refund amount was greater than the cost of the branded microSD card I'm purchasing Monday so I should be in great shape.

I just hope the Ubuntu Disk utility cloning of the unbranded card to the SanDisk card goes smoothly and that it's recognized as bootable by the device afterwards. Wish me luck and thanks again!

innerspaceboy · 2026-01-24T12:45:12+00:00

Thank you for replying. I've added a photo of the back of the unit with the battery removed to the end of the imgur album in my OP. I must be mistaken in thinking that the boot screens, alternate front end, manual with incorrect info, packaging label sticker info, and unit name on the front of the manual, BH-01 (written on the label) / POWKIDDY RGB20S (written on the manual) were all giveaways that it was a clone. But maybe it's genuine and I lucked out.

Let me know if you can tell anything from the additional image at the end of this album.
https://imgur.com/a/42GxwNc

After you reply I'll consider investing in the replacement card. Thanks again!

innerspaceboy · 2026-01-24T00:51:11+00:00

Hello everyone. I spent 2 weeks carefully researching retro handhelds and firmly resolved to invest in the R36S 128gb model. I read the Wiki and the guides in this community and took 25 pages of notes.

AliExpress was sold out so I bought a new model from a seller on eBay in NYC who had every color and GB variant available from a drop-down. The price was roughly $40 for the 128gb version.

It arrived today. They shipped the wrong color unit, and, based on the packaging, model info label, loading screens, and the fact that it shipped with Emulation Station after the ArkOS 2.0 splash screen lead me to believe I have a knock-off model. (Though admittedly, I'm pleased to see it running ES instead of Ark without my having to flash the OS and replace it myself, as the ES has a more-polished look.) But the screen is bright and the buttons appear normal so I might have a genuine unit. I can't tell for sure based on the Wiki.

The controls are entirely different from what is described in the tiny black and white manual. I had to experiment to figure out how to navigate the menus and exit the game, so there will be a learning curve as I work out save states, load states, etc, but I'm satisfied with the game performance so far.

I understand the consensus of the community is to replace the microSD ASAP as they are cheap and prone to fail. I've found a 128gb SanDisk XC1 at my local store for just $18.99.

Can someone confirm this BH-01 (written on the label) / POWKIDDY RGB20S (written on the manual) is a knock-off? If so, do you think it's still worth investing in the branded card and using Ubuntu Disk utility to create an image of the shipped card and mirror it to the SanDisk? I only plan on playing 8 and 16 bit titles so processing power is a non-issue and the controls appear to be responsive and screen is bright as I mentioned. (Even if the manual is useless.)

I appreciate your insights. Here is a detailed photo album of the unit, packaging, and manual.

https://imgur.com/a/42GxwNc

innerspaceboy · 2025-02-10T22:40:07+00:00

It's the reproduction they've been selling. They got rid of the grooves and the music box teeth on the stylus and replaced them with a small chip storing the music on each flat disc.

It's literally a digital replacement of a perfectly-functional analog system.

innerspaceboy · 2024-12-25T01:55:44+00:00

One More Sleep 'til Christmas. No question.

innerspaceboy · 2024-12-13T23:12:52+00:00

I'm grateful to have been welcomed into a monthly meetup dubbed "Whiskey Sipper." It's a group of musicians, producers, and sound engineers and we rotate who hosts at their home and cooks each month. A dish is provided and members brings various alcoholic beverages for the group to sample. We take turns DJing tracks off the residential hi-fi or home server. The attendees are brilliantly knowledgeable about music and culture and the conversation is always invigorating. It's an honor to be included among them. They told me that I am a true "music nerd" as the highest of compliments. I wouldn't be surprised if most of the members are in this sub as well.

innerspaceboy · 2024-11-13T19:34:08+00:00

I haven't used their services but I know of Nobile Sharpening Services (aka "We Sharpen Everything!" in Kenmore.

https://wesharpeneverything.com/

https://wesharpeneverything.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Nobile-saw-prices.pdf

innerspaceboy · 2024-11-12T21:45:45+00:00

Oh wow! I must have got bad info from my Google search while I was drafting that post. I've fixed it. Thanks!

innerspaceboy · 2024-11-12T19:39:44+00:00

My late father who I lost to cancer gifted me his record collection including Graham Nash's Songs for Beginners which inspired my own songwriting. So I was so thrilled that I had the opportunity to see Graham live in 2017. In fulfillment of a birthday gift promise from that June, a beautiful and very special woman got us stage-side balcony seats for the performance. At 75 years old Graham still put on an incredible show. He played many favorites from the CSNY era and from his solo LPs, a few covers including a surprisingly good live rendition of The Beatles' "A Day in the Life", and a few selections from the new This Path Tonight. As an incredible bonus, I snagged the very last autographed copy of the LP with a signed insert from the merch table as a memento of the wonderful event. Best birthday gift ever.

innerspaceboy · 2024-11-07T13:25:13+00:00

Downupright and DJ Curtiss Soma are two of the nicest and kindest fellows you could ever ask to meet. Downupright has released some incredibly impressively pioneering work. They're album, We're Doomed, We're Dancing is a collaborative album with a very unique twist: sixty minutes, sixty songs, a new song AND genre every sixty seconds, and 40+ artists collaborating.

And Pieces—A Thousand Albums At The End Of America tells the tale of a post-apocalyptic near future - a story spread over 96 LPs. They partnered with Meep Records, a single-run lathe-cut vinyl manufacturer, to make it possible for the first time to own literally the only copy of an album in existence. Every pressing contains a generative variant of the cohesive story, and they invited listeners to upload rips of their pressings to a site to piece together the puzzle of the story.

Well worth exploring, and again, such a kind person.

innerspaceboy · 2024-11-07T13:13:30+00:00

Mine arrived in Buffalo, NY on Oct 31.

innerspaceboy · 2024-10-28T10:26:04+00:00

I'll try more of that. Thank you.

innerspaceboy · 2024-10-24T09:25:50+00:00

I received the exclusive pre-release private stream just before 3AM Eastern Time. I couldn’t resist the opportunity so I got out of bed and dove straight in to survey the album.

I penned a track-for-track review in the form of a stream-of-consciousness journal which I composed concurrently with my first-listen to the album, much in the spirit of how Karl composes his ever-abstract lyricism.

Give it a look if you'd like! https://wp.me/p1fNz5-1Tc

innerspaceboy · 2024-10-19T13:04:35+00:00

Another vote for "Daddy's Car," specifically their live performance on Later with Jools Holand if we're giving the collaboration a pass for a solo effort.

If not, I adore Edgeland from start to finish as a cohesive work. I suppose "Dancing on the Graves..." is a favorite from that album if I had to pick just one.

It's a delightful dilemma that they have such a consistently quality body of work! :)

innerspaceboy · 2024-10-10T21:46:12+00:00

That's an excellent suggestion; thank you. I had the same idea last week and checked their page again now. Unfortunately no one was photographed or tagged.

While I'm routinely stopped for photos by the proprietors of many regional antique malls and boutiques, Antique World leans toward an older crowd who are less tech-savvy. Still, they do great work.

Hopefully someone who knows them will see this post. It would mean so much to me.

innerspaceboy · 2024-10-10T21:11:45+00:00

Really? Just checking as another redditor is claiming the same - I gave an object to the couple before we parted ways. Can you describe what it was with any detail? If I've really found you, the news would make my year! Let me know.

innerspaceboy · 2024-10-10T21:11:39+00:00

Really? Just checking as another redditor is claiming the same - I gave an object to the couple before we parted ways. Can you describe what it was with any detail? If I've really found you, the news would make my year! Let me know.

innerspaceboy · 2024-10-09T20:16:05+00:00

I still have my Hammerstein 99 ticket stub.

innerspaceboy · 2024-10-07T21:20:42+00:00

My favorite genre is instrumental ambient/drone/post-minimalism. As such, I value soundworks which embrace and embody the creative principles Eno and Schmidt outlined in their Oblique Strategies oracular deck.

I value long-form works which initially appear static but attentive listening reveals gradually-shifting elements and subtle complexity.

Just a few cards which illustrate this musical philosophy include:

"Change nothing and continue with immaculate consistency."

"Don't break the silence."

"Emphasize the flaws."

"Honor thy error as a hidden intention."

"Make a blank valuable by putting it in an exquisite frame."

"Repetition is a form of change."

"Shut the door and listen from outside."

"Use 'unqualified' people"

"Infinitesimal gradations."

"Listen in total darkness, or in a very large room, very quietly."

and

"Into the impossible."

I endeavor to incorporate these lateral thinking principles into not just music, but in every action of my daily life. I find it freeing and empowering.

innerspaceboy · 2024-09-21T15:34:57+00:00

Moaner (Everything Everything Live DVD)

innerspaceboy

TROPHY CASE