Re: New Boss Wazas....
SMD components can be discreet, you're confusing packaging with type. As far as I know the SD-1 never used SMD components, but it does use an opamp (the same as a Tube Screamer FWIW) so that throws out the discreet part. I'm not sure you can fit all the components (or even buy all the components in thru hole packages) for the DC, I really don't know much about it, but I'm pretty sure it is digital.
In most cases, it seems like they've taken the mods they saw being made to their products and built them in up front. And I'm sure they have used some better quality components in a few key areas, but hard to say without opening one up. Anybody got one they want to take some gut shots of?
Sorry, not belittling them, I was just kinda blown away when they first came out with the SD-1w for $150 when a "stock" SD-1 was $50 new, so I was always a little suspicious of them. So, a "stock" one with a mod kit would be about 1/2 the cost of a Waza, and which one would be better? The SD seems to be the most drastic price increase between versions, but the chorus is almost double, and the MT and BD are 1.5X.
Not sure what's up with the tuner though, why don't they just build the better buffer and TB switch into the stock TU, I don't care where it is made, it will work the same whether it is soldered in Japan or Taiwan.
I'm not coming down on Boss, I've used their products forever and just dropped a wad of cash on a GT-1000 this summer.
