But this will be yours, and yours alone! Also, the SnarkBarker comes with a SB2.0 compatible firmware, so that's already better than an original 1.5...

root42 wrote on 2020-10-26, 21:57:

But this will be yours, and yours alone! Also, the SnarkBarker comes with a SB2.0 compatible firmware, so that's already better than an original 1.5...

Oh, I have no regrets. Actually I have enough parts to build a second right now, just no PCB. I just might make a PCBWay order and build a second one. Would I be correct to assume that 2-Layer and 1.6mm thickness would be enough? Do you remember the specs of the board you ordered?

appiah4 wrote on 2020-10-27, 07:36:

Would I be correct to assume that 2-Layer and 1.6mm thickness would be enough? Do you remember the specs of the board you ordered?

Indeed, two layer and 1.6mm are fine. I ordered mine with an ENIG finish from Elecrow, but am pretty sure all the other suspects are fine also (I've ordered many from JLCPCB lately, though their soldermask seemed a little less thick).

PCBWay quoted $50 or thereabouts for five pieces inc. China Post shipping, I'll look around for cheaper options. I'd preferrably find someone who will do just one with cheap shipping..

appiah4 wrote on 2020-10-27, 11:48:

PCBWay quoted $50 or thereabouts for five pieces inc. China Post shipping, I'll look around for cheaper options. I'd preferrably find someone who will do just one with cheap shipping..

If you find any, please do post here - I've so far only seen minimum orders of 5 on e.g. Elecrow, JLCPCB, PCBWay.
If you're in the EU, I could maybe part with one of my two remaining PCBs - they're a snazzy red color though (which I actually really do like).

5 are minimum with almost all PCB providers. Aisler does batches of 3 but large PCBs such as Snark Barker become prohibitively expensive with them. Try to find one that has a "free shipping" on your first order. I remember that I didn't have to pay for my first shipping from JLCPCB, but that was some years ago...
You can sell the remaining 4 PCBs in one of the forums or on eBay though. Other people will have a similar problem and need only one PCB.

root42 wrote on 2020-10-27, 12:16:

5 are minimum with almost all PCB providers. Aisler does batches of 3 but large PCBs such as Snark Barker become prohibitively expensive with them. Try to find one that has a "free shipping" on your first order. I remember that I didn't have to pay for my first shipping from JLCPCB, but that was some years ago...
You can sell the remaining 4 PCBs in one of the forums or on eBay though. Other people will have a similar problem and need only one PCB.

JCLPCB seems to be the cheapest of the lot so far.. Question: HASL vs HASL-RoHS - is there any practical difference other than that one of them causes me cancer in the long run?

appiah4 wrote on 2020-10-27, 13:15:

JCLPCB seems to be the cheapest of the lot so far.. Question: HASL vs HASL-RoHS - is there any practical difference other than that one of them causes me cancer in the long run?

Not really an answer to your question, but you might be interested in reading these comments about HASL on ISA connectors:
Re: Innovation SSI 2001 re-engineering and/or conclusions

MJay99 wrote on 2020-10-27, 13:35:

appiah4 wrote on 2020-10-27, 13:15:

JCLPCB seems to be the cheapest of the lot so far.. Question: HASL vs HASL-RoHS - is there any practical difference other than that one of them causes me cancer in the long run?

Not really an answer to your question, but you might be interested in reading these comments about HASL on ISA connectors:
Re: Innovation SSI 2001 re-engineering and/or conclusions

Interesting. ENIG vs HSAL is a very big cost increase though, nearly 3x 🙁

appiah4 wrote on 2020-10-27, 13:44:

Interesting. ENIG vs HSAL is a very big cost increase though, nearly 3x 🙁

Take ENIG. It is corrosion resistant and will last decades. For prototypes, use HASL, for finished boards ENIG.

My 10 PCB SnarkBarker order was roughly 60 EUR including shipping, with ENIG. How are the prices today? I find 6 EUR per PCB pretty cheap, considering the large size of the SnarkBarker.

EDIT: Current price is 5 EUR per PCB w/o shipping. So 25 EUR for 5 PCBs, plus shipping. Should be less than 50 EUR in total.

PS: Make sure to choose chamfered edges or gold fingers, which makes the card fit better into the socket. It's not strictly necessary though.

Don't use HASL for anything that goes into the ISA or PCI etc. slots, it will wreck the slots by destroying the gold plating and you will begin to experience issues with those slots over time.

Alright, ENIG it is then 😀

In other news, the replacement AT89S51 came in the mail, flashing went smoothly and it is now on the card in its socket. I will be trying the card tonight. Cross your fingers for me guys, you may FINALLY get rid of my whining once and for all!

Initial testing on my Celeron 1333 system is a partial success. Adlib, CMS and PCM audio all work (NO MORE DISDTORTION!), but whenever I launch any game that has digitized sound (ie uses DMA) there is a constant repeating clickling in the background (click, click, click, click..). Could this card be speed sensitive and maybe this Celeron 1333 system is too fast for it?

The celeron is for sure not the optimal system. Do you have anything slower?
Also: congratulations!

root42 wrote on 2020-10-28, 20:32:

The celeron is for sure not the optimal system. Do you have anything slower?
Also: congratulations!

I will test with a 486 tomorrow.

Happy to report that the card works flawlessly in my 486.

At last! Congratulations! And what a nice bracket! 😀

More photos, just because 😀

And many thanks for the wonderful bracket again @root42

SB V2.02 DSP with detailed comments avalible on https://github.com/schlae/sb-firmware
Many thanks to TubeTimeUS for sharing...