Very keen observation!  One thing to note is that S/PDIF uses biphase mark code, meaning the S/PDIF signal is phase-independent.  Thus, you can actually use either the TXP or TXN pin to drive an optical transmitter or transformer or what have you and it'll work the same.  The main reason I...

  Hi hbo3,   Here's a run-down of the pads on the SNES S/PDIF board and what to connect where:   5V is the 5V power input to the board.  Connect this to the output pin of the SNES' 7805 voltage regulator.  I believe this is labelled "O" on the SNES' PCB. GND is the ground pad of the board...

Hi all,   SNES S/PDIF v1.1 is now up on OSH Park:   https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/5NrKCmY9   And here's the updated BOM:   Parts Manufacturer Part # Digi-Key Mouser Package Value Type Qty FB1, FB2, FB3, FB4 HI1206T500R-10 240-2412-1-ND 875-HI1206T500R-10 R1206     4 C1, C2...

Success!  Here are some pictures:     (Note that C3 is not installed because I used a TI LP5907 which does not have a noise reduction pin like the TPS79333)   Although this version is easier to solder because of the thermals it's a bit trickier to stuff since you have to be even more...

  Since my board resamples the audio data it is by nature not bit-perfect compared to the original 32-ish kHz audio stream and is thus less accurate in that sense.  However, any noise and/or distortion added by the SRC4192 is well below that of modern DACs and is by all means transparent.  If...

Hi,   If the simple CS8406 mod from GameSX works with your receiver/DAC then I suggest sticking with that, unless you plan on moving to a receiver/DAC that is stricter with the sample rates it accepts.   I had some time last month to work on a slightly updated version of this board with some...

  Awesome!  Glad the problem was just the wonky receiver.  And that'd be nice if you guys looked at the PCB for improvements, Kevtris and yourself do great work.

  Hi GameTechUS,   Sorry to hear about the issues you're having with the board, I hope I can help make it work.   Can you compare your stuffed board to the picture of mine I posted earlier in this thread?  Ensure that all ICs are oriented correctly, especially X1 as that should be oriented...

Excellent stuff!  Hopefully the build goes smoothly and let us know how it goes!

Hi everyone,   I just got some more interest in my SNES S/PDIF board so I decided to put it up on OSH Park's Shared Projects for everyone to order!   https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/Qdy2pZzr   It's pretty cheap at ~$10 USD for 3 boards (including free shipping!).  Since I can't attach...

The cost was ~$11 for 3 boards and $35 for the parts for 1 board, so around $50 for a single completed board with tax and shipping.  I've made a few other analog PCBs before (phono amp, etc.) but this is my first time designing a digital circuit & board.  I'm super glad it worked on the first...

I think it's worth having all of that extra stuff in the circuit to make it robust.  My main goal was to get a sample rate converter in there so I chose the Texas Instruments SRC4192 because it has a hardware mode, no microcontroller is needed.  Unfortunately, that IC only supports 3.3V so I had...

I agree with the suggestions so far.  One thing I've done to solve the issue of the slightly-high 32.040 kHz sample rate is add a sample rate converter before the SPDIF transmitter and resample to 96 kHz.  This improves compatibility with more modern DACs/receivers/etc., reduces any jitter, and...

Quote: I took part in the original group buy at diyAudio.  As far as I know there are no more kits left.

The Gilmore Lite was  $300 used, and the kit for "The Wire" was $95 but didn't include a volume control, input/output jacks, chassis, and some of the non-SMD parts.  

I've built one and Avro_Arrow is correct, it uses a balanced input and outputs single-ended.  Sound-wise, all I can say is that it has permanently replaced my Gilmore Lite as my desktop amp.

I haven't used it or even plugged it in.  I've contacted the eBay seller earlier today about a return and a refund, hopefully it goes smoothly.

Quote:   Nope, no model number or serial number sticker on the bottom of the unit.  The only sticker is what I assume is the production/assembly date.

jdkJake,   No, it did not come with a box inside a box.  It was shipped in the "Hakko 936" cardboard box with the item's styrofoam holders as padding.  Everything you see in the album is exactly how it was shipped to me and how it looked unboxed.   There are no serial numbers/UPC codes...

Quote: Thanks jdkJake.  More detailed pictures (a picture of the box as well as pictures of unboxing) can be found in my album: Hakko 936 (Fake?).   I'm in Canada so no Frys for me.  I thought it'd be pretty safe to purchase from a Canadian seller since knock-offs generally originate...

So I purchased a Hakko 936-12 off of eBay a few weeks ago from a Canadian seller and received it on Friday.  I had the time to take a look at it today and immediately noticed that the tip on the iron is conical rather than the standard chisel tip 900M-T-1.6D.  This set off a few alarms so I did...