LM386 versus Op Amp

Status
Not open for further replies.
Mostly power out. An op amp is designed to go to frequencies above audio (even if it doesn't go extremely high frequencies), while a LM386 is a specialty part where it doesn't matter.

An op amp is much simpler to predict mathematically. A LM386 is meant to be a power audio amp, which it does relatively well. Nowadays there are better, but not cheaper or as common.
 
Last edited:
QuietMan said:
An op amp is designed to go to frequencies above audio.
Click to expand...
No.
Many older opamps cannot produce upper audio frequencies.
The LM324 and LM358 opamps have a max output that drops at about 2khz.
The 741 opamp has a max output that drops above 9kHz.
The TL07x opamps have a max output that drops above 100kHz.
 
Last edited:
srobertjames said:
What is the advantage of an LM386 over a regular Op Amp?
Click to expand...
An LM386 is a little POWER amplifier, not an opamp. Its max output current is about 350mA. The max output current from an opamp is about 30mA.

The LM386 power amplifier has built-in negative feedback and built-in biasing. Opamps don't.
 
The inputs of the LM386 are biased at 0VDC, not at half the supply voltage like opamps are. When the inputs are at 0VDC then the output is at half the supply voltage.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

P
Better op-amp selection and power requirements recommendation
Replies
3
Views
890
tumbleweed
T
S
  • Question
OP AMP Questions
Replies
16
Views
2K
rjenkinsgb
R
  • Question
op-amp stray-capacitance
2
Replies
20
Views
14K
danadak
D
  • Question
TDA2004 amp questions
Replies
6
Views
1K
Doomguy42
D
P
Do we need termination resistors between two op-amps?
Replies
14
Views
2K
AnalogKid
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…