LM384 AMP RTS PCB

The ready-to-solder PCB for a great little practice amp based on the LM380 (2.5 watt) or LM384 (5 watt) amp IC. It is easy to build and loud enough to compete with an acoustic piano, which is sometimes handy.

About this PCB

This is an easy-to-build practice amp built around the 16-pin LM384 (or LM380) power amp IC; you supply the speaker, and almost any speaker will work. The power amp stage is the same design used in one of the small Marshall™ practice amps. It works as a modular building block for a fuller practice amp, or on its own with a buffer or stompbox in front of it. Plugged in straight from passive pickups it can sound a bit dull, so put something in front of it.

Specs

• PCB size: 5 cm x 2.7 cm
• LM380 (2.5 watt) or LM384 (5 watt) amp IC
• Solder mask, plated-through holes and silkscreen for component placement

Also builds

• Inverting version of the amp
• Headphone amp

Build resources

• Complete instructions for the LM384 Practice Amp
• LM384 build instructions (PDF)
• Schematic (PDF)
• Parts layout and wiring diagram (PDF)

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