[WTB] OPL4 compatible

Por leonlas

Master (138)

12-03-2023, 17:44

Colleagues, did any of you get an e-mail or a ready OPL4 cart? Let me know because I'm curious.

Por sdsnatcher73

Prophet (3951)

14-03-2023, 19:40

Not yet…

Por rolandve

Champion (358)

15-03-2023, 10:35

also waiting

Por popolon_

Champion (364)

15-03-2023, 21:46

Got the e-mail and shipping info already last month, but the package got stuck at brasil customs due to missing documents(do not know why only to destination Finland, customs needed docs). Even after seller sent the missing documents, the package may be stuck forever there(or even lost?). So it seems Brasil customs really sucks big time!

Por Bengalack

Paladin (747)

15-03-2023, 23:23

My story is the same as popolon_’s. Just have to wait. I’ll manage :-) Customs can be tricky sometimes.

Por popolon_

Champion (364)

16-03-2023, 12:29

And after venting here, now my package has been released from Brasil customs.

Por crisag

Expert (85)

17-03-2023, 02:43

Unfortunately, out of the 10 packages I sent abroad, three got stuck in export customs. The customs officials requested documentation to prove the declared value, which I promptly provided. However, it took them two weeks to release the packages. Moving on, here is the current status of the project:

I have 45 chips that are available for use in building cartridges.

I have both the original board and a variation of it (reloaded 1.1). Both use the YAC513 DAC, which has known issues with noise in some of the lots. Out of every 20 chips I purchase, half of them come from the lots that, in my opinion, have unacceptable levels of noise.

@jepmsx can attest to the fact that he received a cartridge with a faulty YAC513 by mistake. I quickly rectified the issue by building and sending him a new cartridge with a functioning DAC. Thankfully, the new cartridge is working as expected, and he is now enjoying it.

I am actively working on developing two new boards. The first one (reloaded 1.2) is still based on the YAC513 but has a modern flash and features a circuit that I believe will reduce noise (although I'm not 100% sure yet). I'm currently testing this board and will provide feedback as soon as possible. The second board (reloaded 2.0) employs a completely different DAC and comes equipped with Bluetooth connectivity. Why Bluetooth? Because let's face it, everything is cooler with Bluetooth.

Although I still have the original and reloaded 1.1 boards and chips available, I want to ensure that you receive the best possible product. Therefore, I believe it may be best to wait a bit and take the time to develop the optimal solution. However, if you are in a hurry and need an OPL4 cartridge quickly, please let me know, and I will do my best to accommodate with the original boards. I want to assure you that I have enough chips to fulfill the entire list.

Por crisag

Expert (85)

17-03-2023, 02:20

Certainly, you are more than welcome to purchase the chips and construct your own cartridge. I can sell by the same price I paid + shipping. But please understand that this is a hobby for me and not my primary source of income. I have a full-time job that is unrelated to MSX, and I build and sell these items purely for my personal enjoyment.

All the best.

Por jepmsx

Master (253)

17-03-2023, 10:13

Wow! An OPL4 with bluetooth! Amazing! I understand that it will be to pair it with bluetooth loudspeakers.

As @crisag said, I received a faulty WozBlaster. And I must say that I'm very happy with @crisag's answers. He has been very helpful and quick to answer my complains. I never felt alone. And he sent me a new cartridge without hesitation. I'm so very grateful.

Thanks @crisag for all the efforts you are spending in MSX and for opensourcing your hardware. And very good luck with WozBlaster 2.0, TH9000, and any other project you take!

Por crisag

Expert (85)

22-03-2023, 23:27

Here are a few updates.

Indeed the YAC513 is not consistent in terms of quality. Some lots, like 542DP, produce excellent sound quality while others, like 339FN, produce an unacceptable level of noise. Even with an SND circuit, I'm still experiencing some noise when using problematic DACs, which affects amplification capacity. As we all know, even marginal noise can be very annoying with amplification.

But, at least I am happy to report that all the new boards are now inputting sound back to MSX via SOUNDIN without any issues. Not only bad news right?

I also wanted to address the issue with the Wozblaster cartridges not yet received. To the three friends who were still waiting for their cartridges, I have refunded the amount you paid, and they are now a gift from me.

I say to everybody that purchases MSX stuff from me that I want the experience I expect for myself when purchasing, and even with things out of my control, I don't think waiting so long is a good experience, so I cancelled the purchases and asked PayPal to return your payment. Your cartridges are on their way to you and will arrive in a few days.

Looking towards the future, I want to share that I am preparing the first prototype outside of the protoboard to validate the DAC/amplification and Bluetooth modules I chose. I have already tested this approach, and it will lower the cost, simplify the design, and enable more people to build OPL4 cartridges, requiring less SMD soldering.

Please take a look at the picture below. I expect to have the prototype ready to test in a few days and then move ahead to finish the board. As always, everything I do is available on GitHub.

All the best.