Steamboat, given we're all going to need to extract the most we can from these boards and these is no high current power supply version coming, would you consider an assembly option to only load 12 ASICs on each board instead of 16? My current plan is to remove 4 ASICs from each board (I've only ordered 4 boards) but this seems wasteful.
If a lot of people were interested in a 12 ASIC version that was overclockable at the same assembly price, would you offer it?
We do not believe it is wise to use less than 16 chips. Placing 12 chips on the board increases the cost per chip by 25%, or $33.42. The boards should produce 325-350/mhs fully populated. The gains from overclocking the chip would likely not outweigh the loss of overall hashrate or increased hardware and operating costs.
I am here, and we are doing everything we can to expedite the shipments. It is very frustrating to have to wait, but that is exactly what we must do. We do not control shipping, Avalon does. We can ask for information, but it is up to them to reply. Avalon is most definitely aware of the growing concern within the community about shipping dates. We cannot speak for Avalon, or speculate on the reason for their delays.
We are prepared for Batch 1, and are using this time to refine our processes and ensure everything that can be done prior to chip arrival is completed. We are over halfway through preparing parts for all of the Batches, and will be ready to process all 3,000 units should the chips arrive at once. We are currently operating with a skeleton staff on this project, though we have already trained and prepared our entire staff in order to quickly deploy all orders once the chips land.
We are working to source components in order to offer additional units, but the lead time for several parts is prohibitively long. Some of these parts have been ordered factory direct, but will not arrive until the first week of September. If anyone has additional components they will not be using, preferably in tape and reel, please email us.
We are in the same position you are. As we stated earlier, we've approached this as if we were producing our own units, because we are. Avalon delaying shipping hurts us just as it hurts you. We are not happy with the situation, and if flying to China to pick up the units in person would facilitate the arrival of our chips we'd be on the next flight. We will continue to do what we can, and will give an update the moment we know more information.
On a more positive note, we have retired our trusty cardboard Klondike in favor of something a little more pleasant to look at.
We've also tested the stacking design for those of you who have purchased more than one unit
We are here, we have not abandoned you. Please be patient and know we are doing everything in our power to deliver as quickly as possible.
Good work steamboat and crew! 
