# The Spark Gap - Episode 43

- Show: [The Spark Gap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap)
- Published: 2015-11-11
- Length: 54m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-11-11-the-spark-gap-episode-43
- Listen: https://thesparkgap.net/the-spark-gap-episode-43

## Summary

Hosts Carl and Corey discuss the LTM2884 isolated USB transceiver and the MSGEQ7 audio spectrum analyzer chip, highlighting their specific technical applications. They then explore the 'burden of knowledge' experienced by electronics experts, using a poorly built $60 headphone amplifier as an example of deceptive product quality. The conversation shifts to a critique of crowdfunding scams, specifically analyzing the technical impossibility of the 'Leaf Hyperdrive' RAM expansion device and discussing the broader issues of trust and delivery in Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-11-11-the-spark-gap-episode-43#t=0) Introduction and Housekeeping
- [2:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-11-11-the-spark-gap-episode-43#t=134) LTM2884 Isolated USB Transceiver
- [9:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-11-11-the-spark-gap-episode-43#t=555) MSGEQ7 7-Band Graphic Equalizer Chip
- [15:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-11-11-the-spark-gap-episode-43#t=906) The Burden of Knowledge and Product Quality
- [26:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-11-11-the-spark-gap-episode-43#t=1598) Critique of the Leaf Hyperdrive Scam
- [39:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-11-11-the-spark-gap-episode-43#t=2362) Crowdfunding Trust and Industry Commentary

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- LTM2884 (chip)
- MSGEQ7 (chip)
- SparkFun (company)
- Leaf Hyperdrive (product)
- Kickstarter (company)
- Indiegogo (company)
- Hackaday (company)
- USB Killer (product)
- Technical Illusions (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [73: That's a Waste of Bits](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-10-22-73-thats-a-waste-of-bits) (Embedded.fm)
- [Kickstarter, IndieGoGo & Ignite - Jasperated Jimswinger Jobbery](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-04-24-kickstarter-indiegogo-ignite-jasperated-jimswinger-jobbery) (The Amp Hour)
- [Wrong Hardware, Wrong Software - Fugacious Fan Funding](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-08-wrong-hardware-wrong-software-fugacious-fan-funding) (The Amp Hour)
- [Troubleshooting, PCBs and LEDs - Quaintized Quich Quelling](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-08-28-troubleshooting-pcbs-and-leds-quaintized-quich-quelling) (The Amp Hour)
- [B Plus Boards and D Minus Cities - Uneath Urban Ubication](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-07-16-b-plus-boards-and-d-minus-cities-uneath-urban-ubication) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-11-11-the-spark-gap-episode-43. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Spark Gap.