hotwaterwiz, thanks for the links, but these have a minimum quantity of 1 million (well almost!)... I found a retailer in Germany who has the IC, here's the link:
http://www.elw-shop.de/Default.aspx?CategoryID=Summer&selection=0... Did you check my homemade radios?
mvs sarma, glad you like my work. The TEA5711 I got is shrink DIP (SDIP), which is larger then the SMD, but smaller than the regular DIP, so I guess I will manage. I will use a wrap type SDIP socket, and spread the 1/2 inch long pins, wich will give me enough space for the components.