I made a simple dev board to test an audio codec (ADC/DAC) before I get a full-sized board made, but also, I don't know if it's gonna be worth it. I've shown the front-panel audio card previously, which this chip will be used on, and if I get it made overseas I can get it for like $20 for 5, and if I get the BOB made here in the US it's $16 for 3, or $6 for 5 overseas.

I mean, yeah, $6 vs $20 isn't the worst, but if I did it right the first time I'll save $6? >->;


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in reply to @WebsterLeone's post:

It's the shipping that always gets this one, (last time it spent $15 shipping $4 of boards) so it'd be tempted to try it all at once too (though the little board is pretty!)

A compromise option is to deck out the full board with test points, breakable solder jumpers or 0 ohm resistors between functional blocks, and the like. Basically set it up so the wiring can be redone without doing a whole board.

It adds size but also saves time on ordering more if there's something that can be fixed with a re-wire.

I can get pretty cheap shipping from JLCPCB but it takes like 2 weeks at a minimum. But yeah, more test points and jumpers on the main board is a good idea, though there are some limits on what can fit due to fixed connector positions. I'll ponder it some more.

Yeah, and there's some places where you can always de-populate a connector in the signal path, so you don't necessarily need a jumper there either.

We like to break out settings (address and mode pins) and bus connections. We figure we can wire power and supporting passives won't change too much (the drone says, despite having had to re-order boards for both of those in the past...)