Lm3875 Vs Lm3886

Peter Menting · 25th August 2006, 06:12 PM

Just finished a 3886 GC from one of Brian's kits and it sounds great. Integrated Glassware's attenuator and it made a nice package. Will need a second amp for Tri amp setup and wondered about the LM3875. Anyone care to compare the sound of these two chips?

Thanks,
Pete

jackinnj · 25th August 2006, 07:21 PM

one has mute, the other doesn't

Peter Menting · 25th August 2006, 07:30 PM

My experience with these devices is limited. Could you expand on what this means in terms of the sound?

Thanx
Pete

traw · 25th August 2006, 07:36 PM

i didn't notice notable difference.... i think sound difference could sometimes be derived from ommission of the Ci cap (between resistor from - input and ground on non-inv) that appears on 'reference' 3886 schematics.

Peter Menting · 26th August 2006, 12:48 AM

Don't recall whether I installed C1 or not, will check and try it both ways. Other than that your feeling is no difference between the two?

Pete

SpittinLLama · 28th August 2006, 11:18 PM

LM3875 has less current output capability and hence, is a lower power part.

-SL

bikehorn · 29th August 2006, 01:39 PM

i believe the 3875 is meant mainly for 8 ohm loads, whereas the 3886 is a little more flexible and handles 4 ohm loads better. i'm about to build a 3875 GC, i'd build a 3886 instead if there were kits available anywhere...

SpittinLLama · 29th August 2006, 05:25 PM

Oh, and not Mute as has been pointed out already. The LM3875 is the no Mute version of the LM3876. If you have no limits on choice or cost then always use LM3886. The only reason to use LM3875 is to save money or if you can't get LM3886.

-SL

Peter Menting · 29th August 2006, 09:32 PM

The difference in Power prompted my original question, why use a lower powered device unless there was some sonic advantage? I guess I'll stay with the 3886 since the results of the first unit were so satisfying.

As to the availability of this chip, Parts Express sells them and I believe they are in stock.

Have had no luck trying to raise Brian about soma additional parts and boards, Any one have any info on that?

Thanks to all for their responses

Pete

filgor · 3rd September 2006, 04:21 AM

The 3875 is better in input refered noise by 2.5dB
(-115.8dB vs -113.3dB at 60W into 8ohm)
Because of this the 3875 also has slightly lower THD+noise at low power 20kHz.

However, the actual Harmonic Distortion of the 3886 is lower by about 3dB at most frequency and output power combinations.

So the 3875 is lower noise and the 3886 is lower distortion.
IMO they both already have very low noise and noise is far less irritating than harmonic distortion. So I would consider the 3886 as superior in sonic terms.

The 3886 also puts out more power for any given load or supply voltage,
At 35 volt rails and 8 ohm load:
the 3886 typically puts out ~60Watts
the 3875 typically puts out ~56Watts

As already mentioned the 3886 has the current capability to handle 4ohm loads more efficiently.

Hope this helps

25th August 2006, 06:12 PM	#1
Peter Menting diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Blackstone VA	Lm3875 Vs Lm3886 Just finished a 3886 GC from one of Brian's kits and it sounds great. Integrated Glassware's attenuator and it made a nice package. Will need a second amp for Tri amp setup and wondered about the LM3875. Anyone care to compare the sound of these two chips? Thanks, Pete

3rd September 2006, 04:21 AM	#10
filgor diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sydney	LM3886 better in most ways The 3875 is better in input refered noise by 2.5dB (-115.8dB vs -113.3dB at 60W into 8ohm) Because of this the 3875 also has slightly lower THD+noise at low power 20kHz. However, the actual Harmonic Distortion of the 3886 is lower by about 3dB at most frequency and output power combinations. So the 3875 is lower noise and the 3886 is lower distortion. IMO they both already have very low noise and noise is far less irritating than harmonic distortion. So I would consider the 3886 as superior in sonic terms. The 3886 also puts out more power for any given load or supply voltage, At 35 volt rails and 8 ohm load: the 3886 typically puts out ~60Watts the 3875 typically puts out ~56Watts As already mentioned the 3886 has the current capability to handle 4ohm loads more efficiently. Hope this helps

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25th August 2006, 07:21 PM	#2
jackinnj diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Llanddewi Brefi, NJ	one has mute, the other doesn't

25th August 2006, 07:30 PM	#3
Peter Menting diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Blackstone VA	My experience with these devices is limited. Could you expand on what this means in terms of the sound? Thanx Pete

25th August 2006, 07:36 PM	#4
traw diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	i didn't notice notable difference.... i think sound difference could sometimes be derived from ommission of the Ci cap (between resistor from - input and ground on non-inv) that appears on 'reference' 3886 schematics.

26th August 2006, 12:48 AM	#5
Peter Menting diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Blackstone VA	Don't recall whether I installed C1 or not, will check and try it both ways. Other than that your feeling is no difference between the two? Pete

28th August 2006, 11:18 PM	#6
SpittinLLama diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: In the Wild, Wild West	LM3875 has less current output capability and hence, is a lower power part. -SL

29th August 2006, 01:39 PM	#7
bikehorn diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: toronto	i believe the 3875 is meant mainly for 8 ohm loads, whereas the 3886 is a little more flexible and handles 4 ohm loads better. i'm about to build a 3875 GC, i'd build a 3886 instead if there were kits available anywhere...

29th August 2006, 05:25 PM	#8
SpittinLLama diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: In the Wild, Wild West	Oh, and not Mute as has been pointed out already. The LM3875 is the no Mute version of the LM3876. If you have no limits on choice or cost then always use LM3886. The only reason to use LM3875 is to save money or if you can't get LM3886. -SL

29th August 2006, 09:32 PM	#9
Peter Menting diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Blackstone VA	The difference in Power prompted my original question, why use a lower powered device unless there was some sonic advantage? I guess I'll stay with the 3886 since the results of the first unit were so satisfying. As to the availability of this chip, Parts Express sells them and I believe they are in stock. Have had no luck trying to raise Brian about soma additional parts and boards, Any one have any info on that? Thanks to all for their responses Pete

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