Primax Soundstorm

For more information, see this article's corresponding Wikipedia page: Gravis Ultrasound.

Primax Soundstorm

Preliminary Information
Release Year	1995
Leak Risk	Low
Batteries	None
Mounting Technology	Through Hole, SMD, Sockets
Capacitor Types	Aluminum Electrolytic, Tantalum, Ceramic
Destructive Entry	No

The Primax Soundstorm (also known as Primax Altrasound, MusicSound and Gravis Ultrasound CD3, depending on model and region) is a Gravis Ultrasound clone sound card. Initially released in 1994, the card is fully GUS-compatible and uses Gravis's GF1 chip. Several versions of the card were released, using two distinct PCB models:

• Primax SOUND-M16B (Primax MusicSound, also sold by Gravis themselves as the Gravis Ultrasound CD3) can be distinguished by the inclusion of 3 IDE CD interfaces (Sony, Panasonic, Mitsumi) as well as the "UltraSound compatible" marking on the PCB. FCC ID (found on top right corner of the board): IAX-AGTULTRASYS
• Primax SOUND-M16C (Primax Soundstorm and Altrasound) can be distinguished by the inclusion of 4 IDE CD interfaces (Sony, Panasonic, Mitsumi and universal IDE) and 4 DIP-20 memory chips on the bottom left corner.

Both models are equipped with 512kB of memory and can be upgraded to a maximum of 1024kB using an additional SOJ-40 memory IC, commonly found in graphics cards of the era.

Known Issues

The card is not detected altogether or suffers from memory problems

Causes

• Loose socketed memory chips
• Loose GAL16V8B chip
• Corrosion/oxidation in the sockets of the memory and GAL chips

Solutions

• Reseat the ICs
• Clean the sockets and IC pins.

Original Parts

Primax Soundstorm/Altrasound (SOUND-M16C REV: 0.1)

PCB markings below ICS Gravis GF1 chip: SOUND-M16C REV: 0.1

Capacitor Specifications and Footprint Information

RefDes	Qty	Capacitance	Voltage	Mount	Diameter/Size	Temp	Type
C18, C19, C25, C26, C43, C44, C45, C46, C47, C67, C68, C69, C74, C75, C79, C80, C81, C85, C88, C89, C100	21	1 µF	50 V	Through Hole		105C	Aluminium Electrolytic
C2, C17, C96, C97	4	10 µF	25 V	Through Hole		105C	Aluminium Electrolytic
C58, C61	2	22 µF	16 V	Through Hole		105C	Aluminium Electrolytic
C56, C87	2	33 µF	25 V	Through Hole		85C	Aluminium Electrolytic
C14, C30, C57, C101	4	47 µF	10 V	Through Hole			Aluminium Electrolytic
C51, C52, C54, C55, C94, C95	6	100 µF	25 V	Through Hole		85C	Aluminium Electrolytic
C50, C53	2	470 µF	16 V	Through Hole		85C	Aluminium Electrolytic
C48, C49	2			Through Hole			Ceramic

Active Components

RefDes	Qty	Part Number/Model Number	Package	Manufacturer (If Applicable)	Explanation	Datasheet
	4	NN514256P	DIP-20	NPN
	1	GAL16V8B	DIP-20
	1	DM7406N	DIP-14	National Semiconductor	Hex Inverting Buffer	DM7406
U7	1	DM74LS244N	DIP-20	National Semiconductor	Octal Buffer and Line Driver w/ 3-Stage Output	SNx4LS24x
U9	1	DM74LS245N	DIP-20	National Semiconductor	Octal Bus Transceiver w/ 3-Stage Output	SNx4LS245
U14	1	TDA1545A	DIP-8	Philips	Stereo DAC	TDA1545A
U17, U23	2	LM317T	TO-220	National Semiconductor	Positive Voltage 1.5A Regulator	LM317
U19, ?	2	HEF4066BP	DIP-14	Philips	Quad SPST Analog Switch	HEF4066B
	1	KA2206B		Samsung

Replacement Parts

Basic PCB Name

Capacitors

RefDes	Qty	Compatible Part Number	Order Links
C56, C87	2	860010572004 / 35YXF33MEFC5X11	DigiKey Mouser LCSC
C51, C52, C54, C55, C94, C95	6	860020473008 / 25PX100MEFC5X11	DigiKey Mouser LCSC
C50, C53	2	860020374012 / 16PX470MEFC8X11.5	DigiKey Mouser LCSC

Active Components

RefDes	Qty	Compatible Part Number	Order Links
	1		DigiKey Mouser LCSC
U7	1	SN74LS244N / SN74LS244N(LX)	DigiKey Mouser LCSC
U9	1	SN74LS245N	DigiKey Mouser LCSC
U17, U23	2	LM317T	DigiKey Mouser LCSC
U19, ?	2	TC4066BP-NF	DigiKey Mouser LCSC
	1		DigiKey Mouser LCSC

Related Links

• High resolution images of the M16B Rev: 0.1 board
• High resolution images of the M16C Rev: 0.1 board