The Humble LM386 Class-AB Amplifier IC

Welcome to the first day of February! I think I've thoroughly covered enough tests and information in this video that any beginner can use this IC without running in to problems.
However, for years, I used to hate this IC with a passion for two reasons. The first being its noise floor; it can be very hissy, so it's not really suitable to power headphones. Secondly, it's the fact that it's very easy for this amplifier to go in to oscillation. This can result in "motorboating" or howling on the output. However, during this video's tests, I'm starting to warm up to it (listening to "Electric Dreams" through it reminded me of the late '80's with the same song on a portable Sanyo radio).
The take away is, proper supply rail decoupling is a must (a 100nF capacitor between positive and negative close to the IC and a bulk-filtering capacitor of about 220uF) will help if the circuit is far from the power supply. Layout is also very important, and you'd want to really consider whether or not you want to boost its internal gain of 20 to 200. DC bypassing using a resistor and electrolytic capacitor (in an RC filter configuration fashion) between any interconnecting circuits that use the same supply rails would also be a good consideration.
If any of what I have discussed above is confusing to you as you may be a beginner, do not worry too much about it. In the future, I plan to make more "Electronics Fundamentals" video discussing bypassing and decoupling.
All in all, with the current chosen components of my test circuit, the frequency response is very good and the sound in to a bookshelf speaker is pretty amazing. I hope you enjoy watching this video as much as I did making it!
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[@allangraff795]

In a video long ago you expressed how you disliked this little chip amps, which made me sad. I built a few little amps with these using John Audio Tech's Done Right guide, and i love them! I know i know, it aint HiFi and all, but im amazed how it drives speakers that seem way out if it's league and sound good to my novice ears. Im so happy to see you revisit and enjoy the 'Humble LM386' in this video! Whats more i finally, thanks to your tests, can solve my issue of tge loud and obnoxious noise my little setup gives when my computer goes to sleep, which my too-little-brain now understand to be oscillating when theres no input. Time to break out my 100 uf capacitor and soldering iron! Thanks for another great video, keep them coming please!

[@Bob-1802]

Its datasheet says 0.2% total harmonic distorsion at a 125mW output. In the so-called hifi years, this spec was considered hifi.

[@Th3_Gael]

I haven't done much of youtube in a while, gonna have to watch your videos I've missed.
Channels changed, it's looking good man

[@AstrosElectronicsLab]

Hey, thanks!

[@Pulverrostmannen]

I think it is nice that it is a single rail solution as you don´t need complicated dual rail solutions to make it work, I wonder a bit if this op-amp is working a bit like the 358 in a way, you can make this a single rail audio amp too but like yours they have quite a bit of noise when it comes to hifi applications. I am looking for a solution that works with a 5V single supply with low enough noise for it to work as a pre-amp in your classic NES console when this is virtual stereo sound modded. I designed an amp around the 258 that have good audio quality with this but I am not that impressed by the white noise it have with it´s basic output modules