Slashdot Mirror
AOpen Debuts The Funniest Motherboard Ever
Anonymous Coward X-11 writes "Has AOpen gone flipping nuts by putting vacuum tubes on its motherboards?
AX4B-533Tube
No, it's not replacing logic ICs with discrete components. The tubes are part of the on board audio. Not sure if they are serious about this. April 1 was two months ago." As an owner of a tube headphone amplifier I applaud AOpen's move to accomodate the high-end audio enthusiast, while simultaneous wondering about the ability of a switched psu to properly drive a tube amplification stage cleanly. There's no way this is for real, right? Right? Here's a link that seems to work pretty well. And this looks pretty, well, real. Update: /. reader Jedi1USA noted that HardOCP has more pics of the board.
Comment removed based on user account deletion
More heat in my PC Box... that's a top idea. In fact, along with a couple of valves, let's throw in a few radiator elements, then you could have a PC case that you can cook mashmallows on.... mmmm, sweet, sticky goodness.
A move in the right direction. I think I'm gonna wait for the version with a tesla coil on it tho.
That is the question.
As a once snobbish, now reformed ex-audiophile, I cannot resist but slip back to the affected, bombastic days of my youth and exclaim "It's about freakin' time! Now when are we going to replace these markedly inferior CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs with the gloriously mellifluous LP-ROM?"
It uses physical forms actually cut into a vinyl disk to reproduce sound. Rather than a traditional 5 1/4 disk bay it will be a USB 2.0 periperal and look something like these devices. Analog audiophiles rejoice! I play guitar and I do have to say I enjoy the sound of a classic tube amp. I wonder how odd and expensive will it be to say... Uh yeah I need a vacuum tube replacement for my computer.
Still, could be interesting for your HTPC
[Timeout expired]
uh... so it the odbc connection timed out, or the time it allows to timeout expired?
i think [ODBC fuckup] explains it much better.
MARIJUANA, SHROOMS, X: ONLINE?! - E
Compared to a high-end Pentium IV, a vacuum tube probably counts as a heat sink...
As a muso who has always used Tube based amps for that rich warm tone that you can only get when those 6L6's and EL84's are glowing a nice red colour I know why you would want to do this as an audiophile. I just don't think it's very smart.
Here's why;
Heat - I never rest my beer on top of my amp, not because I'm afraid it will spill. I just don't like warm beer. Half-way through the first set and the top of my Bassman is warm enough to send my beer cool in a few minutes. And that's through 3/4" ply and some varnished covered tweed.
Heat - A mate of mine who does repairs on guitar amps has cursed the fate of many Mesa Boogie amps of the early - mid 90's, tube tone was no longer passe' but unfortunately, anyone that knew anything about engineering electronics for tube use had become passe. The problem was that the tubes sockets for the Mesa's were soldered right onto the main circuit board - after a few short months of club use these amps were toast! The tubes had caused enough damage to the main board that they had to be replaced. Leo Fender designed his amps so that the tubes were mounted off the main board, and still does to a certain extent.
Heat - Well kinda, guys, it's just not cool. If you really dig your tunes and are a true audiophile, you'll get yourself a device that is purpose built for the reproduction of music. Yeah, you're 'putey is kewl. But it's not one of these.
I do think that this board is kinda funny.
"...wondering about the ability of a switched psu to properly drive a tube amplification stage..."
Five volts will make the filament glow nicely. That's all it will take to convince the tube enthusiasts that the sound is better. No need for the tube to actually do anything.
To be somewhat less sarcastic, a small switcher could supply 100 volts or so for the plate, or they could use one of the 12 volt tubes that were developed for car radios.
Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
Now, I was almost ready to buy one of these, GloFET and all, but there's no Firewire. And since that lovely firebottle takes so much room, there are only 3 PCI slots... One for FW, One for the HD tuner, One for Gigabit, One for SCSI... oops, no more slots.
On the flip side, I've never been much for case windows...but this board NEEDS a window!
-Z
You have violated Robot's Rules of Order and will be asked to leave the future immediately.
VACUUM tubes? isn't that the new name for Rambus memory that sucks even more?
--- Metamoderating abusive downgraders since my 300th post.
It seems that their server is slashdotted, perhaps it too is built using tube technology.
(Sitting around one day)
Bean counter: "You know, people are only willing to pay about $6 for a soundcard. How can we get back to the good old days when people spent great gobs of money replacing high-priced disposable components?
Engineer: Let's stick a tube in there. Everyone likes the nice fuzzy sound that comes from tubes. Hell, that's why "Turbo Bass" and equalizers are so popular.
Bean Counter: Sounds good, as long as we get the most outlandish design, so they can't just get parts or repairs from anywhere. We want them to come back to us.
Engineer: Got it!
Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
As an owner of a tube headphone amplifier
You misspelled "sucker." Hope this helps, have a nice day.
News for Nerds. Stuff that Matters? Like hell.
More Tubes!
Coal Fired & Steam Powered!
Comes in 330lb "Floor Standing Console" case, with beautiful oak finish and mother-of-perl inlay!
Options:
5 inch Round-Screen B&W Monitor (shipping weight: 190lbs)
Latest High-Tech "Keypunch" style keyboard (your neighbors will hear you type)
Mouse
Mouse Food
Preorder yours today!
And remember: Real Computers Glow in the Dark! (apologies to fellow hams)
-
-- Charlie Wilkinson Freelance Deity - Fire & Brimstone in Stock - Smiting While-U-Wait!