emulatorII-list

thanks Rob--great info

Best way to get spare SSM chip for E2 is to buy a Oberheim DPX1 on  
Ebay I assume?
Now how many SSM S3528 switched capacitors does the E2 use?

thanks David


On 4/10/2008, at 5:00 AM, rob wrote:

> Hi
> I agree with Brian, and there are other E3 problems...
>
> SIMM sockets in first batch were bad - many early E2's were recalled
> secretly
> Hard disk in first batch were troublesome
> Burr Brown DAC's can fail and are expensive
> Card frame is a mistake - it was designed to be expandable by  
> marketing
> SCSI cable runs are too long in keyboard version
> Removing cards can strip components off nearby boards, especially
> polystyrene caps
> Inserting jacks into stereo outs can blow a variety of components
> Needs alignment and maintenance every year
> 16 channel TTL based microcontroller just pushes the boundaries of  
> dense TTL
> and all that heat - what an idea!
> Rack version is considerably more reliable , as its later and has  
> the card
> frame vertically - shorter SCSI cable too
> If you love your E3 get a second for spares and an expander board. I  
> sold my
> E3's long ago - too much hassle.
>
> E2 is prone to rare chip failure - S3528 switched capacitor and SSM  
> filter
> chip. These are hard to find, so buy some now as spares!
> E2 power supply overheats the PCB's and then voices cut out. Power  
> supply
> often fails but is repairable
> E2 hard disk is now well past its life.
> Molex interconnects can fail
> I'd replace the Tantumlum bypass caps, as they are 25 years old and  
> will die
> causing more problems
> Other than that its pretty much ok and uses sensible parts and a  
> good 2 PCB
> layout.
>
> The E3 product quality failure was significant in 1988 and E-mu  
> Systems
> nearly went out of business as a direct result. They unfortunately  
> over
> reacted and introduced Japanese TQM. This reduced innovation is such a
> small company, and meant senior managers would not approve any  
> further mega
> projects for many years...hence the Proteus was born..Its why the  
> was a big
> gap until the E4 arrived, as the E3 exapnsion plans were axed and  
> only a 2x
> Emax II (the E3XP) was eventually built.
>
> Positive side was Dave Rossum created more custom ASIC chips to  
> improve
> relaibility. Ahhh the G Chip !
>
> All the best
> Rob
> www.emulatorarchive.com
>
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>
>
> 



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