General Technics Sound Card for MCA


At first I didn't realize it, but this may be a relabeled ChipChat sound card...dunno for sure. Looks confusing to me, but that's what I get for asking and investigating.

General Technics is still around. They sell industrial and rackmount computers of assorted types. At one time they also sold some different PS/2 and MCA upgrade parts. Don't go to their site expecting much in the way of information on these things.

Card-ID is 5150 -- Same as the ChipChat version...but this card actually looks more like 5130 -- the Piper Research SoundPiper...it would be the same card except for the sticker that's on the one Altera IC. Yet if we look at Louis Ohland's SoundPiper page, neither of those adapters match mine and the one pictured above. So what the heck is going on here?

ChipChat's picture agrees with mine almost 100%, BTW.

Anyway, here's my outline:

GT Sound Card Outline

I couldn't find any component ID markings on anything except the two Altera ICs. Why can't people use the standard Uxx IDs for ICs...or at least something???

AudioDrive - ESS1688
9544 - Altera IC
9555 - Altera IC (sorry, didn't think to get component IDs off these)
2x LS245 ICs

Connectors:
Wave Header - For optional Wavetable synthesis daughtercard...
Pads - Unknown function -- Louis Ohland says "unpopulated CD input"...but knowing the ESS1688, I'd say this is for the AUX2 input...
CD Audio Connectors - four on the card. Each one is wired differently and has a different connector shape.
Ultimedia Header - Not sure...but it looks the part...
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Copyright © 2005 by William R. Walsh. All Rights Reserved. This page may be reproduced freely in its original form with all copyright noticies present and unaltered as long as no charge is assessed for providing this information, other than reasonable charges for duplicating, media cost, or connection/access time.