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Prop, Audio, LM386, and WAV files — Parallax Forums

Prop, Audio, LM386, and WAV files

idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
edited 2010-12-25 17:16 in Propeller 1
Hello Everyone

The Propeller Demo Board utilizes the MAX4411ETP headphone amplifier for audio output. I was wondering, can the LM386 from National be wired in a similar fashion to output WAV files to a set of headphones? It looks like it would do trick, but it requires a minimum of 4V as the supply voltage.

It would be nice if it would work, because it comes in a DIP package and can easily be attached to a protoboard.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Bruce

Comments

  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2010-12-25 12:45
    The LM386 could be used. It's a very old design and the sound quality is rather poor. I'd use the TDA7052.
  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2010-12-25 13:30
    How did I know Leon was going to say that? :)

    Yes, the TDA7052 is a much better chip. Plastic DIP.

    Jim
    Leon wrote: »
    The LM386 could be used. It's a very old design and the sound quality is rather poor. I'd use the TDA7052.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2010-12-25 13:44
    The LM386 was designed to drive a speaker or piezo speaker. It also uses quite a number of components to get the most gain. There are certainly better chips around today - search this forum for discussions about them. Peter also mentioned some good choices.

    If you just want a headphone output, then I think the prop can do this without an amplifier (I have never tested it). Phil would be the best one to answer this. I understand this output will then feed a powered (amplified) set of speakers such as are used for the iPods.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2010-12-25 14:04
    I tried it once without an amplifier. It worked, but didn't give a lot of volume.
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2010-12-25 17:16
    Hello everyone and thanks for all the responses.

    Yea there are a lot of nice chips out there for this particular purpose. National puts out quite a few headphone amplifiers and so does Maxim.

    My main consideration here is the ease of implementation with readily available parts. The main reason I was considering the LM386, is simply because I can make a quick run to Radio Shack and pick one up, and the fact that it is in a DIP package. I could order some samples from Maxim or National and end up with some nice chips, but those things are tiny and it would be hard to adapt to the protoboard without a SOP to DIP adapter or something similar.

    Okay now for the TDA7052, well it looks as though it may be a contender. There is a NTE disributor within my vicinity, and a cross reference check on the TDA7052 shows that the NTE7051 is a direct replacement. However I am certain that the price will be much steeper than the $1.99 for a LM386 at RS.

    Are there any other DIP packages available?

    Bruce
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