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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : US$2.30 amplifier module...
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9728 |
Very cheap. Mono only, but ideal for adding cheap(VERY cheap!) audio to your MMBASIC projects. AMP... This is your classic LM386 configuration, but if all you need is basic sound effects or voice prompts on speakers etc, this is your guy. Works VERY well, gives plenty of volume for what it is. Hi-Fi this is NOT, but..... Complete with volume control and knob, 3.5mm stereo input socket, and PCB T-block for power and speaker connector. Pretty good value, I think. As I say - NOT HiFi, NOT stereo, but perfect for simple sound stuff. Edited 2025-09-23 17:28 by Grogster Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Volhout Guru  Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 5398 |
Hi, LM386 cannot provide a lot of power when powered from 3V (3V3), this advertisement is a big lie.  - use 5V minimum - 12 watt... NEVER, 1 watt is more likely. Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 8232 |
Just what I need for my Linn Isobariks.... ;) The old ECL80 valve, used in millions of TVs as both line output and audio output had a maximum output of about 1W under ideal conditions. Few people ran their TVs anywhere near full volume (possibly because the distortion approaching 1W was pretty bad!). :) For better results pick a Class D amp with decent output filtering and differential output (if you want mono). You'll get much better quality and more power at a lower voltage. PAM8302A is a reasonable one. Edited 2025-09-23 18:18 by Mixtel90 Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| matherp Guru Joined: 11/12/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 10533 |
In my latest design I've used the PAM8406, stereo in a single chip and almost no external components - class D/AB selectable. I'll report more when the boards arrive. Commercial version Edited 2025-09-23 19:28 by matherp |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 5398 |
I use this in combination with picomite. Powered from Vsys (4.5V) but it runs from 3.3V as well.  Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 5398 |
Just browsed to find the Isobariks. Expensive stuff LINN (the Isobaricks are not made anymore, probably becuase KEF stopped supplying drivers, but..) 90k for a record player, and 13k for the cartridge. Different audience (haha). Volhout Edited 2025-09-23 19:55 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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| PhenixRising Guru Joined: 07/11/2023 Location: United KingdomPosts: 1581 |
Don't forget the power cord for "greater spatial definition" (ignore the 2.5 T&E sh*te because it's hidden in the wall)   |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9728 |
Who said I was powering mine from 3v3?  I'm using 12v for the amp module, rendering around 500mW or so of output with relatively low distortion. I tend to ignore any of those output power figures, when they state a distortion of 10%, cos that's a hellishly high distortion figure! As per the claims in the listing - yeah, they often lie, but I am trained to ignore anything they say in the tech specs side of most of those listings now. Locate the main device - LM386 in this case - then use the authentic device datasheet, so as you say around 1W maximum at about 16v with 10% THD, so certainly not Hi-Fi as I mentioned, but perfect for sound effects etc. But using 12v for power. I'm aware of those other amp modules also, but in this particular case, I needed a module that was: # Small # Had on-board 3.5mm stereo socket for the input # Had some kind of on-board volume control # Had terminal blocks for the speaker and DC in These modules satisfied all those requirements, other modules that just use pin-headers or PCB holes for the various input/output/supply, were not suitable in my situation. Having found the module, I was suitably impressed with it, so linked it here. EDIT: The module that matherp linked to, would also be perfect for my needs. Wasn't aware of that one before I followed the link. I only needed mono, but you could just use one channel and not connect anything to the other channel I guess..... Edited 2025-09-24 10:36 by Grogster Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 8232 |
Ah, the "for your MMBasic requirements" led me(and, I assume, Volhout) to assume a 3V3 or 5V supply. :) Certainly, when you can get 9V or more there is a much bigger range of chips.The LM386 has been around for about 30 years now, from a time when it was rare to go below 6V for anything audio-related. Still a nice chip if you don't push it too hard. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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