+remowilliams Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 So get 'em while you can! https://icomp.de/shop-icomp/en/shop/product/ACA500plus.html From the website: The ACA500plus is the successor to the popular ACA500. We've taken all our customer's suggestions, added more hardware and software, and turned an already-successful product into an Amiga user's dream. The existing concept of the ACA500 remains: It is your one-stop-shop tool for a quick and easy re-entry into the "hobby Amiga". We've looked at all the potential problems you might have when unboxing your A500 or A500+ after more than 20 years, and bundled all solutions into a single product that works on all A500 and A500+ revisions. The ACA500plus features an MC68EC000 processor, 8MBytes RAM, 8MBytes Flash, two CF card slots, an Action Replay-compatible freezer and a stylish 7-segment display called "DisMo". Several expansion ports let you add even more functionality. If you already have a memory expansion inside your A500, you can continue to use that in most cases. The MC68EC000-10 processor is clocked at 14MHz as standard. This guaranteed frequency will give your computer more than a double-speed boost. If that's not enough, you can choose overclocking to 21, 28 or even 42MHz. By attaching an ACA12xx or Blizzard 12xx accelerator, you make your A500 faster than a stock A3000. The ACA500plus comes with essential software pre-installed in it's large flash. This includes fully licensed Kickstart versions V1.2 and V1.3 for backwards-compatibility, and Kickstart V3.1 for running the final version of the OS that Commodore has published. You've lost your installation disks of the OS? Not a problem with the ACA500plus. A full installer for OS3.1 is included in the product. All you need is an empty CF card, and you can install OS3.1 with a few key presses. After that's done, you can use the second CF card slot to exchange data with a modern PC: The ACA500plus supports PC-formatted cards and long filenames out of the box, no special installation required. CF cards are handled like harddisks on the Amiga-side. You can use HDtoolbox or HDinsttools - whatever you prefer. Even the two popular 64-bit addressing modes are implemented: Both TD64 and NSD64 command sets are supported, so whatever your preferred filesystem requires, you can use it on your ACA500plus setup to access flash cards that are larger than 4GBytes. Speed-wise, the CF card slots are faster than most harddisk controllers that are available for other Amiga computers. The ACA500plus even outperforms the SCSI controller of an A3000! ACA500plus is an external expansion which is plugged to the left expansion port of your A500 or A500+. There is no need to open the computer at any time. This includes a new revolutionary method that can turn your 512k trapdoor memory expansion into chipram! If your Amiga is equipped with an ECS Agnus chip and said internal 512k memory expansion, you can turn your computer into a 1MByte-Chipram computer, just by selecting a menu item in the configuration menu of the ACA500plus! A lot of stock A500 computers with board revision 6 or higher have this exact configuration. Many users will want to use the ACA500plus with the popular WHDload software, which lets you install games on CF cards instead of swapping floppy disks if you want to play a different game. WHDload lists the 68010 processor as a minimum requirement for using the Quit-key and return to the Amiga's Workbench. The ACA500plus has special circuitry that lets you use the WHDload quit-key at any time, although you "only" have a 68EC000 processor. This is supported by WHDload V17.2 and higher. Advanced floppy control: If your computer has a defective or even a missing floppy drive, the ACA500plus can handle this. With the built-in "bootselector" circuitry, you can turn an external drive into a fully-compatible df0: drive. In addition to that, the floppy control functions allow you to make external drives invisible, although they do not have an off-switch. This saves you the work of (un)plugging drives in order to make older floppy-based software compatible. The ACA500plus features three expansion ports: A1200-compatible clockport local 16-bit expansion port A1200 CPU card connector The A1200-compatible clockport can be used for expansions that were initially designed for the clockport of the A1200, for example Catweasel MK2, Delfina or RapidRoad. Please note that some drivers may require patching in order to work on a non-A1200 computer. Contact the vendor of your A1200 expansion to find out if they provide such a driver. The 16-bit local expansion port is reserved for our forthcoming network/USB expansion. The A1200 CPU card connector is meant for further CPU and RAM upgrades. It is guaranteed to work with our ACA1220, ACA1221(ec), ACA1232 and ACA1233(n) models. Our older ACA1230 accelerators may also work, but we cannot guarantee proper operation due to their dependence on the signal quality coming from your A500 computer. The older models work fine under lab conditions, but this could potentially be different in your environment. We will therefore only answer support questions about ACA1220, ACA1221(ec), ACA1232 and ACA1233(n) accelerators. The same applies to old Blizzard accelerators by Phase 5: We've done our best to make them work, but there are limits to what we can do. Please keep in mind that the A500 is a 16-bit architecture, and the Blizzard accelerators have been developed for the 32-bit architecture of the A1200. Another new feature of the ACA500plus is it's capability to make use of the clock port(s) that an A1200 accelerator provides, even if the clock port of the ACA500plus is already occupied. A maxed-out configuration can use up to three clock port devices. Further, the ACA500plus gives you all possibilities to connect and use a realtime clock: Either on the trapdoor expansion of your A500, directly on the clock port of the ACA500plus or on the A1200 accelerator. This kind of flexibility was not available on the predecessor ACA500. With all these expansions, certain software may be incompatible. However, this is not a reason to unplug the ACA500plus, as it features an advanced cloaking mode that lets you downgrade the computer to standard memory configurations with minimal expansions (like Action Replay) or even no expansions at all, your choice of Kickstart ROM, running at the original 7MHz speed. Even if your computer does not have an internal 512k trapdoor memory expansion, the ACA500plus can not only add this, but even emulate the cycle-exact speed of the internal expansion with the same slow-down effects that an internal memory expansion has. In other words: There is no reason to unplug the ACA500plus at any time. Package includes: ACA500plus with DisMo, 68ec000, 8MB RAM, 8MB Flash short instruction manual German/English Software included in the flash ROM: Kickstart V1.2, V1.3, V3.1 Full OS3.1 disk set Action Replay 3 (patched for ACA500plus) HRTmon Thor's 040/060 libraries as resident modules Thor's mmu and memory libraries 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oracle_jedi Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 Mine arrived this weekend, and I have to say it is pretty awesome! The extra built in RAM means that all my WHDLoad images start smoothly every time (no screen flashing in Lemmings), and the ability to swap the boot drive to DF1 means I can now boot of my HxC2001 SD floppy emulator without having to install a boot disk switcher. I have only started to scratch the surface of what this can do, but if you have an A500 then this is well worth the money. Thanks for the heads up on the ordering, I might have missed it otherwise. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+remowilliams Posted January 23, 2017 Author Share Posted January 23, 2017 I've been playing with the ACA500plus for a bit now and I've got to say the thing borders on damn near magical. Unprecedented and immensely easy to use configuration options including built in Kickstarts, built in Workbench disks (how cool is that!), dual CF hard drives (including swappable FAT/32!) My Amiga 500 now has 1MB chip ram thanks to its Fat Agnus and the sorcery of the ACA500plus and handles WHDLoad like a pro with the CPU seemingly stable all the way to 42Mhz. I just plugged in my A1200s ACA1233 accelerator for extra giggles Best A500 upgrade ever. Hell its one of the best classic Amiga upgrades period as far as I'm concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+save2600 Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Still happily use my regular ACA500, but with an ACA1221 020 board hooked to it. IIRC, am getting 4.92mips out of this config and am running a nice stuffed version of ClassicWB. Using SysInfo, wondering what some of you are getting out of this new card Mips wise, over-clocked to 42mhz? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+remowilliams Posted January 23, 2017 Author Share Posted January 23, 2017 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+save2600 Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Thanks remo! Still pretty darn fast in the areas that matter, such as Workbench management, racing/flight games, etc. I use a Supra 28mhz card in one of my A2000's and it's no slouch. Have always been impressed with the performance of those fancy 68HC/EC000 processors and their fast caching. Funny that after all these years, still the best bang (great value anyway) for the money! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amiman99 Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 I'm pretty tired of the low power/speed accelerators for Amiga. There are dozens of them right now. And they're pretty good. The ones that are lacking are the 040/060s versions, I need power! I know Vampire is coming, but so far only for A600, I need Vampire for my A4000. Someone needs to license the tech from Majsta and develop it for other Amigas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+remowilliams Posted January 26, 2017 Author Share Posted January 26, 2017 I'm pretty tired of the low power/speed accelerators for Amiga. Well different products for different needs I'm firmly interested in Classic Amiga / gaming usage only so I don't require ZOMGPOWA. In this area the ACA500plus is simply amazing in all around versatility and great performance. It turned my A500 from a nearly permanent shelf inhabitant to something that might actually replace my A1200. Certainly something I'd never guessed to happen... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amiman99 Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 Yes, these accelerators are perfect for those who want to get little more power in their Amiga, especially more RAM and HD for WHDLoad stuff. If you don't have one, then it's a MUST BUY! I have been in the Amiga scene for too long, and own I would say every model (minus the towers), but even the A4000 with 040 25MHz sometimes feels sluggish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted January 29, 2017 Share Posted January 29, 2017 I have been in the Amiga scene for too long, and own I would say every model (minus the towers), but even the A4000 with 040 25MHz sometimes feels sluggish. ESPECIALLY compared to my A4000 with 060 50MHz with UW-SCSI, versus my recently-acquired 040 25MHz using IDE (though the SSD does help.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dR_wH0 Posted January 31, 2017 Share Posted January 31, 2017 It may be the best Accelerator that Jens has produced so far for the 500series. Total value for money - and ever more. If this could be used in an A2000 it would be great. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightbit Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 Can't thank you enough for the heads up. I usually miss great stuff like this. Ordered! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rootboy Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 It may be the best Accelerator that Jens has produced so far for the 500series. Total value for money - and ever more. If this could be used in an A2000 it would be great. Any chance of an A2000 adapter to fit this card from the CPU slot in the A2000? Currently I'm messing around with a A500 V2 in my A2000. It works okay, although the HDMI port doesn't seem to do anything. I haven't come up with a great way of mounting it yet either. A couple of plastic caps to keep it off of the motherboard, I'll have to do better than that for a permanent solution. While the Vampire is cool, I tend to agree that having a modest accelerator that covers all of the bases (speed, memory, video, and disk access) is very enticing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjameslv Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 If anyone is upgrading to this from a kipper2k please let me know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+remowilliams Posted February 4, 2017 Author Share Posted February 4, 2017 Still happily use my regular ACA500, but with an ACA1221 020 board hooked to it. Just added an ACA1221ec to the mix and now I'm quite sure this is going to send the A1200 off to another happy home. Any chance of an A2000 adapter to fit this card from the CPU slot in the A2000? Couldn't say, but I did see Jens say that he plans on working on an A1000 ACA. Presumably an A1000 compatible version of the ACA500plus. If anyone is upgrading to this from a kipper2k please let me know! Not previously heard of the kipper2k, but a quick look says in terms of features the ACA500plus is an immensely better upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dR_wH0 Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 Any chance of an A2000 adapter to fit this card from the CPU slot in the A2000? Currently I'm messing around with a A500 V2 in my A2000. It works okay, although the HDMI port doesn't seem to do anything. I haven't come up with a great way of mounting it yet either. A couple of plastic caps to keep it off of the motherboard, I'll have to do better than that for a permanent solution. While the Vampire is cool, I tend to agree that having a modest accelerator that covers all of the bases (speed, memory, video, and disk access) is very enticing. So far the only possible "new" accelerator is going to be Wicher 2000 from R7 Team : http://retro.7-bit.pl/?lang=en&go=projekty&name=nastepnyThat and their new IDE Controller 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rootboy Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 So far the only possible "new" accelerator is going to be Wicher 2000 from R7 Team : http://retro.7-bit.pl/?lang=en&go=projekty&name=nastepnyThat and their new IDE Controller Thanks! I'll have to keep an eye on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightbit Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 Mine has been shipped. This will be the first Individual Computer product I will own Really looking forward to it. I just wish I jumped on that C64 reloaded board when it was available Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightbit Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 It arrived today! Unfortunately I came home feeling a bit sick tonight and put the Individual box in the closet for later. Maybe weekend testing if I feel better. But at least it arrived safe and sound. I was a bit concerned as the DHL tracking they provide is only trackable through dhl.de (Germany obviously). I wonder why in this day and age DHL does not have it together enough to migrate the tracking when it enters the states to DHL.com? In any case, it was in my mailbox this afternoon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Still waiting for my Vampire. I got my ACA500+ and tried it out briefly to test. Happy as hell, though right now I do not have a permanent use for it (had to jump or I would miss it, of course.) Acill says he tried my Blizzard 1260 on his and tells me it worked fine -- an 060/50 A500 must be pretty sweet. Anyway, still waiting for my Vampire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightbit Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 I havef. the vampire on preorder myself. Right now however I am trying to source or find a decent way to build a case for this thing and an accelerator. That is the only thing I hate...making cases for these things. I considered buying a hammond case box and doing it, but I am just so lazy when it comes to that kind of stuff nowadays. Anyone know where i can obtain a case or can I commission anyone to build one for me? Seriously if someone has the tools and expertise to make even a simple plexiglass casing that is of the correct size for the ACA500+ and an accelerator card like this guy made: I will pay a fair amount for the trouble. Of course it would have to be bent differently to accommodate the case for an A500. If someone does this kind of stuff and wants to make a little side cash it might be profitable for you....considering cases seem harder to obtain than even the card! EDIT: So my brother has the tools and the know how to help me with this en devour. This weekend we are going to attempt a plexiglass enclosure similar to what you see in the video (or better) to encase a ACA500+ and an accelerator card. I will post pictures of our (Hopefully) successful outcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+remowilliams Posted February 22, 2017 Author Share Posted February 22, 2017 Are you looking for a case for use with an A1000 or A500? I was going to craft one myself, but this just looked too nice and handy http://www.plexilaser.de/shop/Acryl-Geraeuse-fuer-die-ACA500plus-Teilesatz Note: if interested, for US shipping you should contact Herr Schön directly for options. Update on the ACA500plus - it continues to run stably at 42Mhz and flawlessly with an ACA1221ec. There is one unresolved issue with the ACA1233 that basically means the MMU has to be disabled if you're using WHDload at this point. I can't seem to get Jens to answer whether this is an issue that needs to be resolved at that ACA500plus, ACA1233 or other level. Hopefully an ACA500plus update will resolve it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightbit Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Thank you for the heads up! I have emailed him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightbit Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 I can't thank you enough remo! I spoke with Michael and purchased the case and it is en-route as I type. It looks fantastic. I will post a picture of it containing my ACA500+ and ACA1233n accelerator when it arrives I searched high and low for a case for this but I guess my searches aren't traveling as far as Germany I ordered it with all of the bells and whistles as well (foil sticker, etc). Looks like good solid German craftsmanship! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 hrmmmm looks like one of my old GVP side-car cases could accommodate this arrangement... that dead HD8+ could be useful, once more! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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