delay chip at radshack?

[marrstians]

i read on one of the post that they got a digital delay chip at radshack for $5... is this true?

[Mark Hammer]

It was me.

The Holtek HT8955 I was referring to *was* available from Radio Shack on-line in 2000 for $4.95.  I bought 4 of them.  Since that time, the HT8955 has been discontinued, although Steve Daniels (Small Bear) carries them when he can, albeit for a higher price given the difficulty in getting them now.  Steve carries the PT2395, which sells for about the same price as what the HT8955 used to, and is essentially a workalike.  Both are 10-bit A-D/D-A chips that can work with either 64K (4164) or 256K (41256) DRAM chips for either 200ms or 800ms delay capability.  The PT2399 is cheaper and smaller than the 2395 and does not require external RAM, but it is limited with respect to maximum delay time (under 350ms).  Note that the PT2395 is a 40-pin DIP where  the HT8955 is a 24-pin DIP.

The price difference is precisely why I encourage people to set aside their analog preoccupations and go digital when making delays these days.