3875 sounds better, 3886 measures better?

sendler · 22nd February 2009, 12:59 AM

It's interesting that the majority of those that have tried both chips report that the 3875 sounds better even though the 3886 seems to measure better.

lanchile · 22nd February 2009, 03:52 AM

Yeah! I have try both and I like the sound of LM3875 better.

Puffin · 22nd February 2009, 06:49 AM

Me too

Leolabs · 24th February 2009, 03:42 AM

If you are lazy with tweakings,use LM3886;if you are addicted with tweakings,use LM3875.

sangram · 24th February 2009, 04:43 AM

I'm addicted to tweaking and I use the 3886. Never tried the 3875, I stayed with the higher power chip (bought 10 of them and still have 4 to go).

This little amp walks all over a lot of commercial offerings in the under $1000 bracket, lots of control, punch and not sounding sterile. Only two defects being the lack of inner detail and that it runs out of steam with low sensitivity or high current speakers. Implementation matters a lot in the final sound, and the change of a single element in the power supply or signal path has fairly dramatic effects.

I would try the 3875, but I have two pair of speakers - Dynaudio BM6 (86 dB/W, 4 ohms, nasty load) and Usher Mini Dancer (85 dB/W, 8 ohms). I need much more power than either of the chips can give me anyway, so going discrete for sure.

planet10 · 24th February 2009, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sendler
seems to measure better.

All that does is tell us that it measures better (at least the limited measures we ever see)

dave

ttan98 · 24th February 2009, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sangram
.......more power ........

Similar to Captain Kurt asking Scottie from Star Trek, give me more power!

Jokes aside you should seriously consider building a pair of high efficiency speakers say >90 dB minimun, better still 95dB or more.

I find LM3875 has better clarity than LM3886.

sangram · 24th February 2009, 05:13 AM

No more speakers please, I spent >4000 dollars already on these. Also have a set of drivers and crossovers for Zaph L18, not got built for the last three years as no woodworker is willing to tackle the project, and no room in my small apartment to build it myself

I'd rather have a proper amp now.

ttan98 · 24th February 2009, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sangram
No more speakers please, I spent >4000 dollars already on these. Also have a set of drivers and crossovers for Zaph L18, not got built for the last three years as no woodworker is willing to tackle the project, and no room in my small apartment to build it myself

I'd rather have a proper amp now.

Then parallel 3*LM3886 and you get 150 watts, go to Ebay you can buy them cheap.

$4000 for the speakers you have are expensive really, there are ready made DIY speakers kits which sound as good for much cheaper.

sangram · 24th February 2009, 06:30 AM

[OT]

Already have parallel LM3886, BPA 4780 (200 w/ch) and single-ended 3886. Really need something with a little more finesse. >1 chips sounds not as good as single chip already, and to get decent voltage output a high voltage amp is a better bet anyway.

I already have all the chips I need, as well as transformers. Just tired of chips and want to taste something different. We have difficulties in getting a woodworker for DIY cabinets - not that I haven't tried. Like I said, there's a full set of the L18 drivers and crossovers in my parts bin, waiting for a cabinet maker.

[/OT]

22nd February 2009, 12:59 AM	#1
sendler diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ny	3875 sounds better, 3886 measures better? It's interesting that the majority of those that have tried both chips report that the 3875 sounds better even though the 3886 seems to measure better. __________________ Scott

22nd February 2009, 03:52 AM	#2
lanchile diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2008	LM3875! Yeah! I have try both and I like the sound of LM3875 better.

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22nd February 2009, 06:49 AM	#3
Puffin diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: U.K	Me too

24th February 2009, 03:42 AM	#4
Leolabs diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bukit Mertajam	If you are lazy with tweakings,use LM3886;if you are addicted with tweakings,use LM3875.

24th February 2009, 04:43 AM	#5
sangram diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: India	I'm addicted to tweaking and I use the 3886. Never tried the 3875, I stayed with the higher power chip (bought 10 of them and still have 4 to go). This little amp walks all over a lot of commercial offerings in the under $1000 bracket, lots of control, punch and not sounding sterile. Only two defects being the lack of inner detail and that it runs out of steam with low sensitivity or high current speakers. Implementation matters a lot in the final sound, and the change of a single element in the power supply or signal path has fairly dramatic effects. I would try the 3875, but I have two pair of speakers - Dynaudio BM6 (86 dB/W, 4 ohms, nasty load) and Usher Mini Dancer (85 dB/W, 8 ohms). I need much more power than either of the chips can give me anyway, so going discrete for sure.

24th February 2009, 05:13 AM	#8
sangram diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: India	No more speakers please, I spent >4000 dollars already on these. Also have a set of drivers and crossovers for Zaph L18, not got built for the last three years as no woodworker is willing to tackle the project, and no room in my small apartment to build it myself I'd rather have a proper amp now.

24th February 2009, 06:30 AM	#10
sangram diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: India	[OT] Already have parallel LM3886, BPA 4780 (200 w/ch) and single-ended 3886. Really need something with a little more finesse. >1 chips sounds not as good as single chip already, and to get decent voltage output a high voltage amp is a better bet anyway. I already have all the chips I need, as well as transformers. Just tired of chips and want to taste something different. We have difficulties in getting a woodworker for DIY cabinets - not that I haven't tried. Like I said, there's a full set of the L18 drivers and crossovers in my parts bin, waiting for a cabinet maker. [/OT]

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