Better audio amp chip?

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2012-01-19 08:23

I've been spending some time with that audio amp chip that Radio Shack sells (LM386), and honestly finding it less than what I had hoped quality-wise. Can anyone here recommend something better?

OBC

davejames · 2012-01-19 08:34

OBC,

Are you looking for something similar, or can you tolerate a much larger device?

http://www.national.com/mpf/LM/LM3886.html#Overview

Ron Czapala · 2012-01-19 08:36

I used the TDA2822M - it is a 3.2w stereo amp

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2012-01-19 08:37

Something similar, but not necessarily a pin for pin replacement.

Thanks
OBC

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2012-01-19 08:39

That TDA2822M might just be the ticket! Thanks Ron.. I'll look at that.

OBC

davejames · 2012-01-19 08:43

National other recommendation if you require "similar":

http://www.national.com/pf/LM/LM4951.html#Overview

Leon · 2012-01-19 08:55

I like the TDA7052A.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) · 2012-01-19 08:57

One nice thing about the National chip is that it has a push-pull output, eliminating the need for a monster cap in series with the speaker.

-Phil

Ron Czapala · 2012-01-19 09:44

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »

One nice thing about the National chip is that it has a push-pull output, eliminating the need for a monster cap in series with the speaker.

-Phil

Too bad it is only available as SMD - my old eyes prevent me from using surface mount devices

Tracy Allen · 2012-01-19 09:45

The push-pull or "bridge tied load" does eliminate the humungous output capacitor that adds the distortion, and the bridge configuration also gives twice the effective output swing and lower parts count. The TPA4861 from TI is another example for mono, soic-8 package. It looks like a lot of these more "modern" chips do not come in DIP packages.

Leon · 2012-01-19 10:28

The TDA7052A is available in DIL.

Ron Czapala · 2012-01-19 13:36

Leon wrote: »

The TDA7052A is available in DIL.

@Leon
I could not find this chip at Digikey, Jameco or Mouser - where can you get it?

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) · 2012-01-19 13:45

Mouser has them in stock: http://mouser.com/ProductDetail/NXP/TDA7052A-N2112/?qs=LOCUfHb8d9sR%252bS3xPDDJFg%3d%3d

Others may also have them: http://www.findchips.com/avail?part=tda7052a

-Phil

Ron Czapala · 2012-01-19 14:01

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »

Mouser has them in stock: http://mouser.com/ProductDetail/NXP/TDA7052A-N2112/?qs=LOCUfHb8d9sR%2bS3xPDDJFg%3d%3d

Others may also have them: http://www.findchips.com/avail?part=tda7052a

-Phil

Thanks! I must have transposed some digits or something

Good to know about findchips.com too!

GordonMcComb · 2012-01-19 14:50

The TDA7052A looks like a nice chip.

The datasheet says the DC volume control stage has a log characteristic (which one would assume), but is the DC voltage applied to pin log or linear? The sheet isn't clear on this. The 1M pot they show isn't marked.

-- Gordon

Leon · 2012-01-19 15:19

Use a linear pot.

lardom · 2012-01-25 19:56

OBC, I just finished testing the same LM386 today and I was disappointed also. I think I'm going to buy a book tomorrow to see what I can learn about the subject.

frank freedman · 2012-01-25 20:31

Ron Czapala wrote: »

@Leon
I could not find this chip at Digikey, Jameco or Mouser - where can you get it?

check out Frys or any good tv/audio parts place, the TDA7052 crosses to the NTE7051

FF

Peter Jakacki · 2012-01-25 20:41

Guys guys guys, this audio amp chip business has popped up numerous times in various threads. Basically the good old popular ubiquitous LM386 is a dinosaur, both in age and in completed circuit size and performance, just don't use it. Leon and I and others have mentioned the TDA7052 which has been around for a long time too and since it is a BTL chip which drives the speaker differentially then it doesn't need any coupling capacitors and it also delivers more power at lower volts because of the BTL arrangement. So at 6V it will deliver over 1W into 8ohms vs the high voltage you need for the LM386.

Of course there are even better chips than the TDA7052 but this chip alone is way way better than an LM386. As long as people buy dinosaurs they will keep making em and stocking em.

LoopyByteloose · 2012-01-26 02:23

Try Elliot Sound Products for really up-to-date audio chips information with printed circuit boards.

http://sound.westhost.com/

Having said that, if you want to merely drive your digital synthesized audio from a micro-controller, a 2N2222 transistor or a TIP120 mostfet is very adequate as the signal is really never going to achieve audiophile perfection.

The internet search engines seem to keep the LM386 alive while there are better engineered solutions.

Ron Czapala · 2012-01-26 11:24

Here is a link to the Philips NXP audio chip datasheets: http://www.nxp.com/technical-support-portal/71076/71458/datasheets

lardom · 2012-01-26 21:01

Digikey has the TDA7052.

Ron Czapala · 2012-01-27 03:48

lardom wrote: »

Digikey has the TDA7052.

They also have a 3W TDA7056A.

The TDA7052 through the hole versions are not in stock...

Better audio amp chip?

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