Quote Originally Posted by Simon Barden View Post
Unfortunately the vibrato circuit in the European model version is less than ideal. The original US version has a CdS opto-coupler in it, but as cadmium is banned under RoHS rules over here, they had to add an add-on solid state board to replace it.
This made me really curious for some reason. The first thing that seems odd is that Cd would be banned in a tiny electrical component when there is an exception carved out for NiCd batteries. I wondered whether I can get CdS opto-couplers, since so many companies in the US follow RoHS guidelines? The answer seems to be "yes" Mouser lists 27 different ones. Impressive since they seem to be used in almost nothing but trem circuits.

Then I saw that the EU *did* have an exception for optocouplers if used in pro-audio equipment. However, it expired right about the time that your amp was made in 2013. That's a bummer, but also weird since the reasoning for having the exemption then seems equally valid now. Nevertheless the exemption expired.

Then I thought, isn't RoHS an EU requirement? So I tried to figure out why RoHS is still in effect for the UK...or if it will be after December... and then I saw that Australia is working on an FTA with the EU. Are we on a slippery slope toward a world wide ban of opto-couplers? I don't know, and now I have a headache.

I really must be trying to avoid doing my actual job...