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CdS optocoupler compressors - still viable?

M

mw

Jan 1, 1970
0
Are audio compressors using the CdS -style optocouplers still viable for
new designs? These were present in a lot of older analog solid state
amps and mixers (80's and 90's). But the parts are leaded devices that
aren't too easy to handle using SMT assembly. Maybe DSP and A/D
conversion is making them obsolete?

I see that Perkin Elmer (the old EG&G) and Silonex still make them, but
those aren't carried by many distributors, another warning sign. And
the ones that do carry them seem to charge a lot... over $5 each.

Looking at the data sheets I don't see much information about how the
parts are affected by heat, or whether they wear out with age.

This would be for an audio project, so the very common "phototransistor"
type parts are more difficult to use.

So, are these CdS parts just about to disappear? They seem capable of
making a nice compressor, in principle.
 
M

martin griffith

Jan 1, 1970
0
Are audio compressors using the CdS -style optocouplers still viable for
new designs? These were present in a lot of older analog solid state
amps and mixers (80's and 90's). But the parts are leaded devices that
aren't too easy to handle using SMT assembly. Maybe DSP and A/D
conversion is making them obsolete?

I see that Perkin Elmer (the old EG&G) and Silonex still make them, but
those aren't carried by many distributors, another warning sign. And
the ones that do carry them seem to charge a lot... over $5 each.

Looking at the data sheets I don't see much information about how the
parts are affected by heat, or whether they wear out with age.

This would be for an audio project, so the very common "phototransistor"
type parts are more difficult to use.

So, are these CdS parts just about to disappear? They seem capable of
making a nice compressor, in principle.
I dont think that the P-E optos will be discontinued, it is a rather a
specialised market, they are over £5 each in the UK. So thats why they
are available from specialists, not the Big distro's

TFPro.com has just released a opto compressor. Its an old fashioned
way of compressing and you are quite limited in the release time
department. But they can sound great. Try and get hold of the LA3, 4
circuits





martin
 
W

Wim Lewis

Jan 1, 1970
0
I dont think that the P-E optos will be discontinued, it is a rather a
specialised market, they are over £5 each in the UK.

How are CdS cells affected by the RoHS stuff? Cadmium's pretty toxic,
worse than lead I thought.
 
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