I am in the process of building a 5.1 LM3886 amplifier. I'm at the point where I'm ready to assemble the channels. I've been slowly stocking up on LM3886 chips (which is hard to do given the availability) over the last few months. Mouser + Digikey haven't had any stock, and I haven't wanted to order from Aliexpress for obvious reasons.
I found these at two different locations in Europe, mostly audio/video repair companies here in Spain that had stock listed on the website. None of these were 'good deals' price-wise: they were mostly around 25 euros per chip.
I realize you can't tell much just by looking at them, but anything obvious I should be on the lookout for? In general I have 7 chips, one has darker white markings (not raised, it feels smooth). The other ones have slightly faded markings, like the chips are sort of older. I just want to avoid using a fake chip if I can.
I found these at two different locations in Europe, mostly audio/video repair companies here in Spain that had stock listed on the website. None of these were 'good deals' price-wise: they were mostly around 25 euros per chip.
I realize you can't tell much just by looking at them, but anything obvious I should be on the lookout for? In general I have 7 chips, one has darker white markings (not raised, it feels smooth). The other ones have slightly faded markings, like the chips are sort of older. I just want to avoid using a fake chip if I can.
Attachments
Yah, seems to be about normal price these days, if you can even find them. I created one board using one chip, and it sounds amazing. So I’m guessing it’s legit.
The six darker ones look like they're marked by laser. That's the current marking method. The one marked in ink is an older production chip. I forget when National switched from ink to laser markings, but I think it was in the early 2000s.
Even though TI acquired National Semiconductor some ten years ago, the current production parts are still marked with the National logo (the stylized N).
Do you have a picture of the back sides of the ICs?
Tom
Even though TI acquired National Semiconductor some ten years ago, the current production parts are still marked with the National logo (the stylized N).
Do you have a picture of the back sides of the ICs?
Tom
Sure. I used the white one in the center channel I built today. It sounds amazing, so my gut says it’s legit.
Here are the other six.
