So, I did another Surface Mount demo for the Seattle Robotics Society this past weekend, and had sampled a new audio amplifier IC to show how small things can get when transitioning to surface mount. I think maybe this was a little too far.
This is the bog standard LM386 0.3W Audio Amplifier IC, nothing special, hasn’t changed since the early ’80’s. Nestled into the Pin 1 indicator dot though, is the new 3.2W Maxim MAX98304 Audio amplifier IC for use in high power speakers for laptops, tablets and smart phones. Ten times the output power capability, and would fit in the mounting hole for a single pin of the old workhorse.
