[sdiy] PAIA for Appreciation of Heathkits?

[Grant Richter]

> you get a design that is at least marginally
> functional... but missing many of the components that
> guarantee robust performance over a wide range of
> component and environmental variations.
>

I don't think high performance was ever a PAIA design goal. I think  
John Simonton was aiming to get something functional at a price where  
high school kids could afford it. Performance was definitely  
secondary to low price. The low price made it so you could modify the  
snot of of them without worrying. A great place to start learning  
electronics.

Also remember that in some cases the PAIA units out performed much  
more expensive commercial gear (the Putney comes to mind). And the  
worst PAIA VCOs are still more stable than a violin.

That 27xx low pass filter was awful though. I remember being so  
disappointed I almost gave up on synthesizers.