Encoder Review
Documentation: An 8 page booklet came with the unit, it included general descript, theory of operation, pc board layout, schematic
and parts list.
Quality of Components: This was at one time available as a kit but this one was factory assembled.
Good quality epoxy board with tinned copper traces and good silk-screen printed part locations. The parts appear to be all of good quality
with all IC devices being installed without sockets.
Quality of Design: Your typical switcher design but with some unique twist.
A pic 16XCxx proccessor is used as a clock source, providing both 19khz for the pilot and
38khz for the mux chip (4066) and keeping these signals in perfect phase with each other.
Also each channel has 15khz lowpass L/C filtering keeping audio effects from the very clean
pilot signal. This unit is early version and a first generation design, it has a baseband
clipper included, but it just does not work. The current version uses a SM1103 limiter IC
that reports says, works great. Another difference between the 2 versions, is the newer
requires a single positive 12-15 volts dc for power, having a built in dc to dc converter for the negative dc voltage.
The older version requires both a positive and negative dc source supplied.
Ease of Assembly: This was not a kit. This was factory assembled and looked very well done.
Setup and Use: Setup and alignment was easy using a stereo receiver for testing.
The only adjustments are left and right audio in, the pilot tone level was not adjustable
and there is no way to adjust the total signal output from the encoder. The stereo separation
was great and the sound quality was good. There is a jumper for selecting mono or stereo operation.
The Audio inputs may be either balanced or unbalanced.
Support from Vendor: I made no contact with them
Cost: I purchased the unit off of ebay for $95 shipped (Mar 06) from a reseller.
The newer versions are available from Broadcast Warehouse direct for about $210 shipped to US.
Link: Broadcast Warehouse
Rating:... ... ... ...
- DJ Pirate Joe
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