Or just try and find someone that has them stashed away...Clearly yer Eff'd then.. 😉 Or could wait for the "Good Fakes" from Chinese cloners.
(I DON'T)
BUT I do have several LM1875, LM4780, LM675, as well as tens of LM4562/LME49710/20/40 LM49990 which are all genuine direct from TI.
UTC TDA2030, 2040 and 2050 are legal, licenced copies.UTC Taiwan are selling 2050, some say they are legal, and some say it is a modified version, but they were allowed to do so by ST.
More clearly, they made 2050 with the knowledge of ST, and do sell them in Europe.
But some people, - Nirupam Bhowmick is a member here - think the changes made to it are not having a good result. He prefers the old ST ones.
The time limit on US patents being live is 17 years and copyright is 75 years, some chip makers like Intel use copyright to protect their intellectual property.
If the patent has expired, anybody can make their version, and calling it fake would itself be wrong.
UTC are a well known brand and certainly not fakers
I think Adason has some of them (3886).
Ask or PM, he is in North America.
Salcon will sell you populated 3886 boards with heat sink, very little effort needed to complete.
They have transformers and cabinets also.
They are in Delhi, go visit their shop if it is convenient.
Ask or PM, he is in North America.
Salcon will sell you populated 3886 boards with heat sink, very little effort needed to complete.
They have transformers and cabinets also.
They are in Delhi, go visit their shop if it is convenient.
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Nirupam Bhowmick is of the opinion that UTC Taiwan are legal, but the silicon has been modified for some reason, and the sound quality has suffered in comparison to the ST version.
But their use of the TDA mark, and sale in Europe confirms legal status.
Perception and testing are two different things, I think.
UTC is a well known chip maker, and they do sell a lot of products in Europe, which demands quality, and the seller gets a much netter price than those offered in the Far East.
We are in a country where deals are made or lost for 0.01 cent per chip...
But their use of the TDA mark, and sale in Europe confirms legal status.
Perception and testing are two different things, I think.
UTC is a well known chip maker, and they do sell a lot of products in Europe, which demands quality, and the seller gets a much netter price than those offered in the Far East.
We are in a country where deals are made or lost for 0.01 cent per chip...
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I think I still have 8 or so LM3886T's in my storage.$69 each if you buy at least 5 for the cheapest one.
Did not check what else will be extra, taxes, shipping, packing etc.
Two years ago, how much were those?
'NOS' like tubes 🙂
Good timing too, we are moving house early July.
Yes but that is just opinion, not even informed opinion.Nirupam Bhowmick is of the opinion that UTC Taiwan are legal, but the silicon has been modified for some reason, and the sound quality has suffered in comparison to the ST version.
But their use of the TDA mark, and sale in Europe confirms legal status.
What am I saying? Its my opinion too lol. UTC description says legally licenced. So I believe that
If it is legally licenced, then I assume ST must be happy with the QC, or that the market are small enough to be dealt with fine, by UTC (who aren't exactly making millions of them)
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Europe is a tiny market in comparison to India for those chips.
Hardly 100k a year, which is less than a week's sale in India.
EU price was 0.80 Euros or so, here the ex China price is about 10 cents US shipped, and the 1000 quantity price is about 12-13 Rupees (15 cents US or so) for CRC-Micro chips.
Same price for 2030, 2050 and 1875...
Retail is about 15 to 20 Rupees, or 20 to 25 US cents.
UTC gets a better price there than from India, everybody is happy.
Of course it is possible that UTC is getting them made to their specification in another foundry, which is quite a normal practice.
And these are obsolete (almost) audio chips, not some secret missile chips...
Hardly 100k a year, which is less than a week's sale in India.
EU price was 0.80 Euros or so, here the ex China price is about 10 cents US shipped, and the 1000 quantity price is about 12-13 Rupees (15 cents US or so) for CRC-Micro chips.
Same price for 2030, 2050 and 1875...
Retail is about 15 to 20 Rupees, or 20 to 25 US cents.
UTC gets a better price there than from India, everybody is happy.
Of course it is possible that UTC is getting them made to their specification in another foundry, which is quite a normal practice.
And these are obsolete (almost) audio chips, not some secret missile chips...
Maybe if you look around enough, someone like JRC might make them, I guess.
Noone seems to rate JRC stuff that highly, but in times gone by, I thought they were a cut above many brands, certainly in some offerings- bested specs etc for the humble 5V regulator
Noone seems to rate JRC stuff that highly, but in times gone by, I thought they were a cut above many brands, certainly in some offerings- bested specs etc for the humble 5V regulator
Saw ST site, available Class AB chip amps are 7294 and 540.
That is all. 7293 also gone from site.
Class D and G chips are available, G is a sort of flip chip or ball grid array design, I think once soldered it will be hard to replace.
That is all. 7293 also gone from site.
Class D and G chips are available, G is a sort of flip chip or ball grid array design, I think once soldered it will be hard to replace.
Any foundry will ask for MOQ, and IP clearance.
If MOQ is 500k, most hobby users are out.
JRC plant was damaged in earthquake, IIRC.
But best quality, better than ST or TI.
If MOQ is 500k, most hobby users are out.
JRC plant was damaged in earthquake, IIRC.
But best quality, better than ST or TI.
Sounds very much a made up "explanation" for an imagined difference.the silicon has been modified for some reason, and the sound quality has suffered in comparison to the ST version
"hey, if it´s not the original it can´t be as good"
IF it´s an LM3886 (or any other one made under license from original factory/designer) either it works as needed or fails test and can´t be sold.
"sound quality"????????? WTF?
Mr Bhowmick has strong opinions.
I do not know how he tested them, and the equipment used for tests.
Leave that point, we are discussing 3886 supplies, and sources.
I do not know how he tested them, and the equipment used for tests.
Leave that point, we are discussing 3886 supplies, and sources.
Actually, with experience, and to save money, get more chips per wafer and so on, also with better experience with heat dissipation, it is possible to modify the silicon.
But my main contention is that any element in the circuit must not distort the signal, the thing is there to reproduce music faithfully.
If it works to specification, it really does not matter, nor can we do anything about the production process, it is sometimes a matter of no choice, particularly in a hobby / repair / workshop situation, you have to use what is available.
Quibbling about sound, and when it is a few dollars' worth of silicon, is like old men sitting in a park and discussing medicines for their ailments, ultimately just a venting of feelings. Digestion seems to be a hot topic there...
But my main contention is that any element in the circuit must not distort the signal, the thing is there to reproduce music faithfully.
If it works to specification, it really does not matter, nor can we do anything about the production process, it is sometimes a matter of no choice, particularly in a hobby / repair / workshop situation, you have to use what is available.
Quibbling about sound, and when it is a few dollars' worth of silicon, is like old men sitting in a park and discussing medicines for their ailments, ultimately just a venting of feelings. Digestion seems to be a hot topic there...
I think I have got originals from Micheal (USA) compared to the DiyAudioCart supply in India here is a pic
the on the left is India. Supply and right is from Micheal
currently using the USA purchased in a composite amp - My ref Rev A and it’s decent sounding
the on the left is India. Supply and right is from Micheal
currently using the USA purchased in a composite amp - My ref Rev A and it’s decent sounding
Attachments
Left one fonts are same as right one. Should work okay, only 9 digits instead of 8.
Molding marks are the same. Letters on ejector pins on lower right are similar.
Very close copy, or original on left also.
I should know, I mold plastics for a living..
Molding marks are the same. Letters on ejector pins on lower right are similar.
Very close copy, or original on left also.
I should know, I mold plastics for a living..
The ejector pin letter is different, rubbing marks on the serial area look closely, brightness of the etch and width of the etching laser is different.Left one fonts are same as right one. Should work okay, only 9 digits instead of 8.
Molding marks are the same. Letters on ejector pins on lower right are similar.
Very close copy, or original on left also.
I should know, I mold plastics for a living..
picture taken after ipa clean with a swab
That is within range if made in 2 different plants, or in different years, same plant.
The molds are identical, and shape of letter 'M' and '3' and '6' are distinctive.
In fact such a close copy would fool merchants who knowingly sell copies.
They look for things like this, and metal tab chamfer, overall appearance to quickly distinguish good from poor.
Just check print area location with a vernier, that also will give a clue, if it is re marked, the laser may not be properly indexed. That will tell if it is fake.
Allow 0.5 mm tolerance.
Laser intensity and plastic composition can cause differences in marking results, so I did not pay attention to those.
There are no abrasive or solvent marks to show removal of old markings.
If it was a fake, the real mark would have to be removed, and the surface would not be rough.
Also, see if any other chip is sold in such a package, DIP 8 and DIP 14 are common, 358 sold as 5532 is a common example.
No idea about this package.
The molds are identical, and shape of letter 'M' and '3' and '6' are distinctive.
In fact such a close copy would fool merchants who knowingly sell copies.
They look for things like this, and metal tab chamfer, overall appearance to quickly distinguish good from poor.
Just check print area location with a vernier, that also will give a clue, if it is re marked, the laser may not be properly indexed. That will tell if it is fake.
Allow 0.5 mm tolerance.
Laser intensity and plastic composition can cause differences in marking results, so I did not pay attention to those.
There are no abrasive or solvent marks to show removal of old markings.
If it was a fake, the real mark would have to be removed, and the surface would not be rough.
Also, see if any other chip is sold in such a package, DIP 8 and DIP 14 are common, 358 sold as 5532 is a common example.
No idea about this package.
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I could not find any reference to a Keltron board. They have a 6 IC setup (307) which I am thinking of buying with a cheaper version of the same board.They may be equivalent chips, test the board before pulling them.
You might like the sound.
And get the Keltron capacitor board, slightly more expensive than their regular board with Chinese capacitors.
Keltron are/were Sprague licensed, seriously quite good.
When I asked that the difference was I was told the costlier one had original Toshiba ICs.
Sorry for going off topic but your from India and know the scene here.
I need help building a budget 3 way.
My options are
sweton / Dooge / Salacon /
I plan to build the box. With a long internal baffle. Transmission line style. Yes I know about diyaudiocart but its like 6K per driver. Entry level. My budget is about 4K tops per driver.
Bass is key to me. So should I go with a 10 inch woofer. Or a more sane 8 inch, woofer, 6 inch mid and a tweeter. For amps I plan to have one of each TDA/LM/2500-1943
This is a hobby thing. Its something to do to help me unwind from my day job which is building engines.
I have my man at rarecomponents looking for the LM and TDAs. Another guy who helps me find hard to find stuff in Bangalore is Vishal on SJP road. Will post if I get any news.
For US guys this guy has 61 in stock. I have a member in taiwan looking also.
https://www.4starelectronics.com/pa...SG41L7MUkKgeJgHFc4sNtx6n0xPBV64BoChj8QAvD_BwE
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https://www.salconelectronics.com/product-category/amplifier-modules/page/2/?rating_filter=1,3,5,2&products-per-page=24
No Keltron kit, but they do have speakers / drivers.
There are many others in Delhi, it is a cottage industry.
Try Universal in Bangalore market, they were very good, huge stock of odd parts. Same place, on road from Town Hall to City Market, where all the shops in this line of business are...
I was at MSRIT...
No Keltron kit, but they do have speakers / drivers.
There are many others in Delhi, it is a cottage industry.
Try Universal in Bangalore market, they were very good, huge stock of odd parts. Same place, on road from Town Hall to City Market, where all the shops in this line of business are...
I was at MSRIT...
https://www.salconelectronics.com/product-category/amplifier-modules/?products-per-page=all
Go through it, they have 7294 amps, other amps in economy and Keltron versions.
They give the heat sinks also, and from the photos they look adequate, the others don't give heavy ones, if at all.
That is another issue, getting good heat sinks in India.
Better pay a little extra and enjoy the music.
Look for car woofers, and speakers, ask mechanics, they may know if somebody is changing their car system and letting go the old one.
See ads too, people move out all the time, you might find a complete system at a low budget. Or useful components from it, like speakers, amp, tuner, deck, CD player etc.
Go through it, they have 7294 amps, other amps in economy and Keltron versions.
They give the heat sinks also, and from the photos they look adequate, the others don't give heavy ones, if at all.
That is another issue, getting good heat sinks in India.
Better pay a little extra and enjoy the music.
Look for car woofers, and speakers, ask mechanics, they may know if somebody is changing their car system and letting go the old one.
See ads too, people move out all the time, you might find a complete system at a low budget. Or useful components from it, like speakers, amp, tuner, deck, CD player etc.
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