NeXT Station Color Collection for sale

[JdM74]

Wanted to chime in a bit on this....

The 'sound board' in the NeXT MegaPixel B/W displays are exactly the same ones used in the Soundbox. Used for connecting a display and keyboard up. For using a Soundbox, you do need a custom Y-cable that lets you go from the Soundbox to a display -- this was the same for both Mono and Color setups. Of course, the connectors were different between the Mono and Color systems.

Non-ADB Soundboxes are as rare as dinosaurs. HOWEVER....there are options.

1. If you happen to have a failing MegaPixel display -- harvesting the soundboard from that [and recap it while it's out]...you can purchase a Soundbox reproduction from Blackhole, Inc. Get some NeXT black paint [it's not an on-the-shelf color, ya gotta have the right paint code mix] and some fine sandpaper to take the rough edges off of the 3D printed case...fill with your existing board and appropriate speaker and it's a 2024 Soundbox. The front is CNC printed metal, the back and internals are 3D printed plastic

2. Another alternative, also from Blackhole is the nuIO board [NeXT Universal IO]. Connect that to the B/W side of the Cube for keyboard input, a pair of powered speakers for sound and the color display on the Dimension board. There's also a nifty mounting bracket that goes into the Cube itself....no desk space required. Black and White is supported through VGA on the nuIO board.

3. Yet another alternative from drakware [https://www.drakware.com/shop/p/nextbox] -- the NeXTBox...same concept as the nuIO board, but no sound...same kind of setup though, plug that box into the B/W side of the Cube, along with keyboard and color display on the Dimension board. Unfortunately with this one...still seems to be sold out....and has been for a while. Black and White is supported through VGA on the back connectors.

For myself, I have two MegaPixel displays -- one with some good life left in it....the other is questionable. Both are still up for a full on recap job, of not only the display power boards, but the soundboards as well. If either of the displays fail....harvest the display case, stand and board...a Soundbox would be on the way. The stand and display case [if an appropriately sized LCD panel is found and curved acrylic sheet]...period correct looking outsides with modern internals.