Thoughts on Replacing Chipset in iStick?

[aldenf]

Hi guys. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

The chipset in my iStick crapped out on me. Yeah. Go figure. Love the form factor, though. Thinking of throwing a new PCB in the enclosure. 20W max for this device is perfectly fine. I'm just driving my RTAs with it.

Was wondering if anyone has any experience with or thoughts on the dna 20 cloned boards from fasttech. While a little tight, it's completely workable. This is not my first DIY mod. Would put an authentic dna 20 chipset in if I could find one much cheaper than $50...

I'd also consider a YiHi chipset if I could find a vendor selling other than the SX350.

Thanks!

 

[david4500]

iStick modded with a DNA40

http://www.reddit.com/r/electronic_...0_tripped_fell_and_landed_in_my_istick_video/

 

[stevegmu]

You are going to spend more for a quality board than for a new iStick, which will more than likely develop a hardware issue before the new board goes bad...

 

[aldenf]

iStick modded with a DNA40

http://www.reddit.com/r/electronic_...0_tripped_fell_and_landed_in_my_istick_video/

Thanks, David84! Saw that. Not concerned with re-assembling the iStick at all. I'm trying to choose and source a new chipset for it. The $70+ DNA 40 solution is way overkill for the iStick and my use. The DNA 40 will go in a custom wooden mod...

 

[aldenf]

You are going to end more for a quality board than for a new iStick, which will more than likely develop a hardware issue before the new board goes bad...

This is my point exactly, stevegmu. $20 for the FT DNA 20 clone seems a reasonable cost. I'm simply concerned with its quality. While trying to source an appropriate chipset, I have already machined new endcaps for the iStick, including the ability to easily replace the battery. A VT 510 is on the way. This solves the problems with the iStick.

The form-factor is brilliant, especially with a Nano equipped RTA. The DNA 40 solution is overkill in both cost and performance. A reasonable quality, $20, 20W chipset shouldn't be too much to ask for. The VAMO 5 chipset I used in one of my boxes cost $11, works brilliantly and fires to 30W. The VAMO chipset is just not appropriately sized/configured for the iStick...

 

[aldenf]

So, does anyone have experience with the FT DNA 20 clone?

Does anyone know of vendors selling YiHi chipsets? I'm not interested in the SX350 for the iStick.

 

[rhelton]

Hmm well you could get a dna clone from FT they do work well I have one and it never misses a beat