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its SDOJ. Soldering and components look flawless .. like a ordered PCB, which it has to be.
Can't make it out in the pictures, can you snap a close-up or check the markings on U13?
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Can't make it out in the pictures, can you snap a close-up or check the markings on U13?
sure: U13 - Altera EPM7032AE TC44-10 S BBB77 0601A

BTW: you can add this one to your compatibility chart. I am running it with your Jammafier + Retro Scaler ^^
 
Hmmm, so is it new manufacturing with original components or is it actually conversions??
 
They say that the PCB is new, but those components look like taken from another PCB, possible a CV1000B, I think.
 
They say that the PCB is new, but those components look like taken from another PCB, possible a CV1000B, I think.
Maybe they are harvesting Medal Mahjong Bancho, it seems more likely than finding tubes and trays full of old stock cpus, Altera and Yamaha IC's etc. but who knows.

All the games are expensive at this point, i can't really explain this thing exists, it's quite an investment to reverse everything.
 
I don't really get it either. How likely is it that they're taking partially wrecked boards to Frankenstein new ones? I imagine not very.

Sure would be a shame if they found a pile of NOS boards (like all the Futari BL AV boards that Yaton had years ago) and used those for conversions. But again... why? You can sell those for more than what they're getting for these, and it's way less work.

What the hell is going on here. ?(
 
Seeing as China is king of relabelling and counterfeiting ICs themselves in the first place, this truly doesn't surprise me. Contextually my wager is leaked/stolen gerber files, and deadstock or brokered IC's as necessary.

This all reminds me in the strangest way of building my Apple-1 replica using "as period as correct as possible parts;" original Apple-1's are worth "buy a house" money, but you can start with the gerbers and IC list and end up with with a very good looking replica eventually, and one that works if you do it right. There are big hurdles like finding the 2519 IC, but with IC's, it seems there's always somebody who stashed the remainder of some NOS ones somewhere. Getting them without having to buy the entire stock is often the tough part. Perhaps slightly off topic but here's some photos of that build https://imgur.com/gallery/1IJ7pC1
 
Seeing as China is king of relabelling and counterfeiting ICs themselves in the first place, this truly doesn't surprise me. Contextually my wager is leaked/stolen gerber files, and deadstock or brokered IC's as necessary.

This all reminds me in the strangest way of building my Apple-1 replica using "as period as correct as possible parts;" original Apple-1's are worth "buy a house" money, but you can start with the gerbers and IC list and end up with with a very good looking replica eventually, and one that works if you do it right. There are big hurdles like finding the 2519 IC, but with IC's, it seems there's always somebody who stashed the remainder of some NOS ones somewhere. Getting them without having to buy the entire stock is often the tough part. Perhaps slightly off topic but here's some photos of that build https://imgur.com/gallery/1IJ7pC1
For sure. I think these are repro PCBs. They intended this way, hence the gold enig and soldering differences. Either they got gerbers; did sand and scan method; xray etc. As for components, I agree that they found stock of what they needed or are relabeling some ICs to match what's expected, but most likely it's just old stock components that they found/are using.

If it was done correctly, these should perform exactly as the original PCBs did. They are selling them for $1K-1,600the profit margin is not very high. Well, maybe for them in China it might if they are getting these fabbed dirt cheap. The reason for stating they are conversions I think is to limit the exposure/questions, Cave is still very much active in protecting their IP just like Taito does. I'm sure once some Cave collectors start noticing these they will be flagged and/or Cave made aware of.

But one thing is for sure, there is a mix of things going on with these PCBs :D
 
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Am I crazy for actually considering SDOJ? Man...
If you go into this with the right mindset, that you're buying a (probably good) repro, then there is nothing wrong with this. Maybe the price goes down a bit once all the rich collectors have one, then again, they may run out of components.
 
After a good deal of thought, I'd definitely pick up an SDJ for what he's asking if another one pops up for sale.

That said, I've not seen any new listings for these. Perhaps a bit too much attention was drawn?
 
I'd be seriously tempted at 600usd... Obviously better the lower it is.. But I don't imagine they would be selling it at that price given they sold others at full price.
 
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