My good old American Reliance model 37 also uses that same JRC NJU9210 controller IC with an external true RMS converter chip. They're only 4000 count, but was actually a pretty slick setup back in the early 90s when I got mine.
Mine runs on two AAA cells and it lasts for YEARS on a set of alkaline AAAs. Definitely nice, low power consumption!
It has certainly held up and still works well today within its performance limitations.
I actually just fully disassembled the ol' Amrel the other day and gave everything a thorough proper cleaning of the button and switch contacts, the LCD zebra strip, re-lube the main dial assembly, etc. and it is back to running basically like new.
edit: It took quite a bit of scrubbing with SuperClean (basically sodium hydroxide based) to get the yellow holster clean, I wish I had a "
before" photo, as it has been many, many years since I did a real proper cleaning of all the grease and grime from when it gets used in the garage or shop or some dirty worksite or whatever. I was really surprised how nice and yellow and clean it came, or I suppose I was surprised how dirty the whole thing actually was?
Oops. I guess it was a tad overdue for proper routine maintenance?