Simplex 4010 board

I’m replacing a 4010 board. The number is a 578-712. The new board has an additional “module” on it labeled as TDA2040 IDNet Replacement. The old board does not have that so do I need to remove this module from the new board? Thanks.

I have not seen one of those boards but I would leave it alone. That probably is a modification for performance improvement from an engineering change order. It could also be caused by the original part being no longer available from the vendor. If you remove the module the board probably will not work.

I have seen this in the past. The memory chip used in 2120 SCC units went unavailable. A piggyback module was designed to replace the unavailable chip.

I did some on line research and found that the manufacturer did discontinue the TDA2040 chip. So the module is a circuit that replaces the chip that is no longer available.

From a DIY audio forum:
A sad day for 5 pin chip amps
ST Microelectronics has discontinued the following parts:
TDA2003
TDA2030A
TDA2040
TDA2050