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PRODUCT SHOWCASE Kenwood K series midi sound systems Kenwood’s new K series midi lineup comprises the K-99M, K-88M, K-77M and K-66. Aside from their stylish lines, the new line-up has such features as Environmental Sound Enhancement, DSP, Omni-Directional speakers (optional), Graphic Equaliser/Spectrum Analyser, Dolby Pro-Logic Surround Sound, Dolby 3-stereo and Karaoke (K-99M). All systems are designed to be used as dedicated audio systems or to be integrated into the home video system. The DSP and presence circuits create the ambience of a number of “live” venues in the user’s own living room. Kenwood’s DSP (K-99M & K-88M) offer the choice of seven modes including Jazz Club, Church, Arena and Stadium, while the K-77M and K-66 offer similar effects through Kenwood’s ASP (Acoustic Sound Processor) circuitry. The AI (Acoustic Intelligence) features (eg, Auto Edit) allow the user to trim or rearrange songs so that a longer CD will fit on a shorter cassette. Addi- Crystal oscillator without an oven The trouble with traditional designs of crystal oscillator is that they require an oven to maintain high temperatures for stable output. This means that they are bulky, require a high current of typically 500mA and take as much as 20 minutes to warm up to temperature when switched on. GEC Plessey Semiconductors (GPS) has solved these problems with a new design of crystal oscillator, which uses digital tem­ perature compensation to achieve an ultra-stable output without the need for an oven. The OD9301 has no warm-up delay and the typical current consumption is less than 15mA. Also, as an oven is not required, the OD9301 is supplied in 80  Silicon Chip tionally, AI automatically checks the CD being played and creates the ideal equalisation curve to match it. These curves can also be stored in memory for later use (K-99M). The K Series midis can also be configured with several options including: turntable (all models), omnidirectional speakers, surround speakers and centre speaker (K-99M only), surround speakers and subwoofer a small package measuring only 36 x 26 x 12mm. The OD9301 allows for external frequency trimming and may be specified anywhere within the frequency range of 4-25MHz. The device uses a proprietary algorithm that enables it to give superb phase noise and short term stability performance whilst also meeting very tight frequency versus temperature specifications. The excellent frequency stability of ±0.3 parts per million (-10°C to +70°C) or ±0.5 parts per million (-40°C to +85°C) makes it ideal for use as a reference source in base stations for GSM, DECT and PCN or for military communications systems. For further details, contact GEC Electronics, Unit 1, 38 South St, Rydalmere 2116. Phone (02) 638 1888. (K-99M, K-88M), subwoofer (K-77M). Pricing is as follows: K-99M $3859; K-88M $3099; K-77M $2699; and the K-66 $2199. All models are covered by a 3-year parts and labour warranty with 12 months on the laser pick-up. If you would like further information on the K Series, con­tact Kenwood Electronics Australia Pty Ltd on (02) 746 1888 for your nearest Kenwood dealer. Dali 5A Mk2 loudspeaker Dali 5A Mk 2 is the largest in the range of Australian assembled Dali models. The Dali 5A Mk 2 features dual 18cm bass drivers with rubber suspension surrounds, textile dust­ caps and thick polypropylene cones. The powerful magnetic circuit features an aluminium short-circuiting ring in the pole piece which reduces second harmonic distortion. The use of two relatively small bass drivers within the one cabinet gives high sensitivity (93dB for one watt at one metre) with high power handling; amplifiers up to 120 watts per channel are recommended. The tweeter chosen for the speaker is a special design using a soft textile dome with a ferrofluid coiled voice coil. This is particularly well damped and has excellent transient response. The front baffle of the Dali 5A Mk 2 is Digital handheld clamp meter Meter International has released the MIC 2080W handheld, clamp-on, autoranging power meter. It is designed to measure various electrical parameters without the need to break the circuit. The meter features AC/DC current measurement to 1000A and true RMS voltage to 650VAC or 1000VDC. The MIC 2080W can measure true power to 200kW and frequency to 2kHz. The meter uses Hall Effect technology to measure true RMS current accurately, almost regardless of the waveform, to a crest factor of three. The measured value is displayed on a 3.5-digit liquid crystal display with an analog output provided for monitoring the current wave­form with an oscilloscope. The MIC 2080W is available from Computronics International, 31 Ken­ sington Street, East Perth, WA 6004. Phone (09) 221 2121. covered in “Acous­ti-Flock” absorbent material, in order to reduce edge diffraction and improve stereo imaging. Dali 5A Mk 2 is supplied with rigid steel spikes, which are claimed to couple the speaker securely to the floor and improve bass response and stereo imaging. Dali 5A Mk 2 is supplied in mirror-imaged pairs and sells for $1598 per pair. For further information, contact Scan Audio Pty Ltd, 52 Crown Street, Richmond, Vic 3121. Phone (03) 429 2199. Ultrasonic cleaner for small components Until you have used one of these ultrasonic baths for cleaning small components you don’t know how handy and effective they can be. They’re great for cleaning drawing pens, jewellery, small mechanisms, connectors, PC boards, camera bits and even (perish the thought) your dentures. Essentially it consists of a small stainless steel bath which has a piezoelectric transducer epoxied to its underside. The piezo transducer is driven ultrasonically and it agitates the cleaning fluid so completely that dirt, grease and grime just stream out of the components. This new model from Jaycar has four timer intervals of 4, 8, 12 & 16 minutes and its tank capacity is 570 millilitres. It runs from 240VAC, is priced at $169 and is available from all Jaycar Electronics stores and dealers. Model railway sound module Oatley Electronics has sourced a sound generator module that will directly appeal to model railway enthusiasts. Essen­tially it is an LSI chip bonded directly to a very small PC board measuring 29 x 16mm. This has 14 circuit connections brought to one edge and requires two external resistors, one capacitor and a battery pack, a loudspeaker and a 4-way switch to select one of the four available sound effects: whistle blowing, train chugging along, level crossing bell and train crossing a bridge. The module can be powered from a battery pack ranging from 2.4V to 6V although the sound effects are voltage dependent and to be honest, some effects are much more convincing than others. We have not had a chance to try modifications but it is possible to change the external components to modify the sound effects. Current consumption is very low: less than 1µA on standby and 0.2mA when operating. The cost is very cheap at just $4.00. Also available are three other modules: four sound effects (ambulance, fire, police siren and machine gun) for $2.50, a 16-tune door chime for $4.00 and a ding-dong door chime for $3.00. They are available from Oatley Electronics, PO Box 89, Oatley, NSW 2223. Phone (02) 579 4985. CALLING ALL HOBBYISTS We provide the challenge and money for you to design and build as many simple, useful, economical and original kit sets as possible. We will only consider kits using lots of ICs and transistors. If you need assistance in getting samples and technical specifications while building your kits, let us know. YUGA ENTERPRISE 705 SIMS DRIVE #03-09 SHUN LI INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX SINGAPORE 1438 TEL: 65 741 0300    Fax: 65 749 1048 April 1994  81