Yes! Ask an analog synth guy about the CA3080. That's a guaranteed sob story for you.
"How the hell do you build a proper VCA without a CA3080 to give the sound that feel??? HUH??? Nothing else compares to its noise profile!!!"
For purposes of arcade audio, you don't need that noise profile. You could use another OTA IC. I seem to recall a new modern clone exists and fairly cheap. But I dont remember the part number. And I think there are still dual and quad OTAs available. Or you could build something from transistors. I did that for Vector Pong. Just because. I needed a programmable current source with equal but opposite output values and "no magic bullet parts" was a design objective.
Although I am enjoying the tech discussion, the goal was to find a replacement for the DE0-CV and not do a full redesign.
Since @toledoflyer already knows the Altera design environment it would make sense to port his design to another Terasic board. There just aren't enough buyers to justify a complete re-spin.


