At 10:03 AM -0500 03/09/01, Tentochi wrote:
>
>I am in a constant state of internal conflict over this question.
That sounds like a spiritual issue :)
>Paul strongly believes that sockets are not need and end up causing more
>problems than the solve.
Paul is right. If you solder correctly, and do not damage the IC with heat
or static, non-socketed IC's are more mechanically reliable, and virtually
immune to dust and oxidation.
That being said, I've used sockets for many of the things I've made with
IC's over the last few years: a TL072 scaling amp for the Mini Moog's CV's,
a 555-based trigger to gate converter, and a PAIA Theremax.
While 555 timers and TL072 op-amps are relatively inexpensive and have less
pins than many other IC's, I decided to use IC's for several reasons:
Firstly, it's easy to install an IC backwards when using perfboard, because
there is no PCB to guide you.
Secondly, it makes the device easier to repair and troubleshoot.
Thirdly, it makes it easier to upgrade IC's. In the case of the Theremax,
the output amp was a 748 (which if you are not up on your history, is an
∗ack∗ uncompensated 741). It was very, very, noisy. So I popped it out
and replaced it with a new op-amp from Analogue Devices (OP275??) which
made it sound much, much, better. Regardless, the Theremax is a useless
piece of crap. So this way, when I finally clean out the garage, I can get
my OP275 back without having to unsolder it.
>On both of my (Blacet) Dark Star Choas boards, I did NOT use the sockets
>and soldered everything directly to the board.
I have no idea what a Dark Star is, but if I built a Time Machine (or
whatever it is called) I would socket the SAD1024, as I would use sockets
with any rare or expensive IC's.
>I have several other kits I am building now, I this question is still
>bothering me.
>
>I would like to hear different people's (including Paul's)
>opinions on this.