LM386 Audio Amplifier ICs, Mono Boards and IC Kits

LM386 audio amplifiers: identify the chip, module or assortment

This collection brings together LM386 low-voltage mono audio amplifier IC options, small assembled speaker and electret-microphone boards, and assorted electronics kits that include or merely mention LM386. These are not equivalent deliverables. A loose IC requires a correctly designed circuit and external parts; a populated module has its own supply, connectors and gain network; an assortment may contain many different IC types. Check the selected variant, quantity and package rather than assuming that every listing delivers a finished amplifier or even an LM386.

What the LM386 is for

The LM386 is a compact monaural audio power-amplifier IC, commonly used in low-power speaker experiments and portable audio stages. It is not the same kind of device as an LM358 general-purpose op amp, an LM393 comparator, an NE555 timer, or a TDA2030 power stage. A microphone signal may need proper capsule bias, input coupling, noise management and sometimes additional preamplification before a power amplifier can produce useful speaker volume. The LM386 output, speaker load, supply voltage, heat dissipation and decoupling all influence actual loudness, clipping and noise. A module's seller headline is not a universal rated output-power, sound-quality or distortion specification.

In conventional LM386 circuits, the gain depends on the external network, often with a nominal 20× gain when the gain pins are left in the basic configuration and a higher gain when a suitable external network is installed. An onboard 10 kΩ potentiometer may adjust input level or perceived volume rather than set the IC's intrinsic voltage gain. These are separate functions. A title claiming “200 times” while its product body says “20 times” or describes an adjustable knob should not be treated as evidence that the shipped board achieves a measured 200× linear gain. High gain also amplifies input noise and can drive the output into clipping. Verify the actual board layout, fitted components and device suffix before specifying system gain.

Loose LM386 chips: DIP-8 versus SOP-8

Through-hole options include LM386N-1, LM386N-4 and other LM386N-labelled DIP-8 offers. Several five- or ten-piece pages place these beside LM358P, LM376N, LM380N-8 and LM387N alternatives. Choosing LM380 or LM358 does not deliver LM386; the numeric similarity is not a pin-, supply- or output-power compatibility guarantee. Some menus offer LM386N DIP-8 amid 25 or more timer, logic, PWM-controller, comparator and driver options. The selected “Color” value actually names the model, not a cosmetic finish.

Surface-mount offers include LM386M, LM386M-1 and SOP-8 options. Other combined listings allow a DIP8 or SOP8 selection under one LM386 headline: match the actual footprint and suffix, not the photograph. DIP-8 and SOP-8 are mechanically different, and neither should be substituted for the other without an appropriately designed PCB or adapter. A reel-style title reading “2500PCS/REEL” appears on a menu that also offers LM393, LM258, NE555, NE5532 and other models; the presence of an LM386 option does not establish that the selected retail quantity is a full reel. Confirm the product's actual quantity terms before bulk procurement. Reseller “original,” “new,” or “quality” language does not independently prove provenance or testing.

Assembled mono amplifier boards

A recurring narrow board design is advertised as about 41 × 13 mm, with a seller-described 5–12 V DC input, a 10 kΩ adjustment, a speaker terminal block and a power indicator. One listing's title claims 200× gain, but its body says the LM386 is configured for 20× and that the pack contains one board. A separate 1/5/10/20-board page refers to 200× in its body. Do not collapse these conflicting seller descriptions into a guaranteed gain for both boards. The pack-count selectors “1PCS,” “5PCS,” “10PCS,” and “20pcs” specify number of modules, not extra ICs or higher gain. Another YX1667/LM386 mini-board title says DC 3–12 V and adjustable volume, but its sparse description does not substantiate its precise wiring, board contents or output rating. A different single-board listing advertises 5–12 V; again, use the selected board's information rather than extrapolating from adjacent offers.

Before ordering a speaker board, confirm DC supply polarity and range, whether a separate speaker and power source are included, the board's audio input connector, permissible speaker impedance, available current and whether the board already contains input and output coupling or bypass components. Do not connect a speaker directly to a bare IC pin based on the mere presence of a terminal block on a different assembled module. Mono output is one audio channel; a stereo source or two speakers need a deliberate channel and amplifier design, not an assumed stereo capability from one LM386 board. A 5–12 V or 3–12 V module advertisement is not the universal maximum rating of every LM386 suffix or a license to power a different board at 12 V.

Electret microphone board variants

Several 20 × 20 mm listings are titled LM386 electret microphone amplifier board / without potentiometer / DC 4–12 V. Their shared seller description, however, discusses both potentiometer and non-potentiometer versions, a purported 20–200× adjustment, and says the potentiometer version can drive a small speaker. The actual option fields on some of these pages select only 1, 5, 10 or 20 boards; they do not select the potentiometer version. A default-title listing similarly does not prove a separate knob or capsule is included. Treat “without potentiometer” as the listed version unless the chosen page explicitly establishes otherwise; do not promise adjustable gain, an electret capsule, a speaker or a speaker-driving configuration in every pack. Determine whether the chosen board is intended as a microphone input stage or a small speaker-driving amplifier and check its documented input bias and output interface.

An electret capsule commonly needs appropriate bias current; it is not automatically supplied by every board simply because the listing uses “microphone.” Acoustic feedback, hiss, ground loops and supply ripple may dominate a high-gain setup. Validate the expected input voltage, coupling and downstream load, and do not assume a bare LM386 has the same power-input range as an assembled microphone board. A seller category such as “voltage regulator” or “timer” on these pages is inconsistent with the product's audio-amplifier function; base selection on the actual part and board, not generic metadata.

Assorted kits are not packs of identical LM386s

Listings headed 75-piece / 15-value, 85-piece / 10-value, 90-piece, 150-piece or 60-piece / 10-value are mixed-component assortments. Titles reference LM386 together with LM324, LM358, LM393, NE555, NE5532, UA741, PC817, ULN2003, ULN2803, JRC4558, MC34063, TDA2822 or TDA2030. A kit advertised as 85PCS is not 85 LM386 ICs. Check the individual kit's included-value list, package types and per-value counts; several product descriptions offer only a short title or conflicting generic “SMD” metadata despite “DIP” in the product name. Do not presume the exact number of LM386s or that a storage box, sockets, PCB and power supply are included unless the specific listing establishes them.

Other pages describe a 10 values × 10 pieces SMD set containing NE555, LM358, MC34063, LM393, LM386, LM1458, LM311, TL431, LM293 and LM2903, or a 100-piece/10-value assortment. One seller explicitly warns that hand-packed varieties may be duplicated or counts may vary. That statement does not support a guaranteed ten LM386s for all similar kits. These are solderable loose components rather than functioning assembled amplifier circuits. The words “op amp kit” are broad seller terminology: timers, optocouplers, comparators, regulators and transistor arrays in those kits are not op amps and should not be substituted as such.

Mixed-model single-part menus: read both model and count

Many pages are alternatives selected through “Color,” not a mixed bag: LM386M-1 may appear next to LM358, LM393, LM339, LM324, NE555 or MC34063, with page-level headings of 10, 20 or 50 pieces. Select LM386 explicitly if you need LM386. One especially misleading product headline includes LM386, but its only available option is ULN2003AN-10PCS; that selection is a driver array, not an audio amplifier. Another page's option is PC817C-50PCS despite a general 10PCS heading. Option text takes precedence over generalized headlines when establishing the chosen part and count.

Longer chip menus offer LM386N DIP-8 alongside CD4001/CD4011/CD4013/CD4017 logic, 74HC and 74LS logic, NE555, TL072, TL074, TL494, L293D, UC3842/UC3843/UC3845, VIPer22A, LM311 and many others. These are distinct electrical functions with different pinouts, supply limits and package counts. A 10PCS menu means the offered count for its selected part as described on that page, not a complete set of the listed models. Another menu offers 5PCS LM386N-1 or LM386N-4 alongside LM380N-8 and LM376N; still another offers 50PCS LM386M or LM386M-1 among other surface-mount ICs. Check that “LM386” is the selected value, and distinguish a pack of 50 chips from a pack of five assembled boards.

Engineering selection checklist

1. Choose what arrives: one loose DIP-8 or SOP-8 device, a populated mono board, an electret board, or an assortment. Check the exact selector and count.
2. Confirm the chip suffix: LM386N-1, LM386N-4, LM386M and LM386M-1 are not merely typography. Verify the exact manufacturer's datasheet, footprint and applicable electrical limits for the chosen part.
3. Assess input and gain: source level, coupling, potentiometer function, fitted gain network, hiss, hum and clipping margin; do not equate a volume knob with a measured 200× amplifier gain.
4. Assess output and supply: intended speaker/load impedance, coupling and bypass parts, DC rail under load, heat and required power-source current. Output watts are not established merely by a “power amplifier” title.
5. For microphone projects: determine whether capsule and bias circuit are supplied, whether the board has a potentiometer, and whether the output is suitable for the next stage or speaker.
6. For kits and reels: confirm per-value count, actual package, whether LM386 is included, and whether the listing is a selectable single-model lot instead of an assortment.

Frequently asked questions

Is every product here an LM386 amplifier board? No. The collection includes bare IC packs, populated boards, mixed kits and selectable alternatives; some currently selectable options are not LM386 at all.

Does “200 times” apply to every board? No. One 41 × 13 mm board's body explicitly says 20× while its headline says 200×. Verify fitted gain components and measure your circuit rather than relying on that headline.

Does a 10 kΩ knob necessarily change LM386 chip gain? No. It may control input volume. Intrinsic voltage gain depends on the gain network; inspect the actual board.

Can I place an LM386M SOP-8 into an LM386N DIP-8 socket? Not directly. Their physical footprints differ, and suffix-dependent specifications need checking.

Does “85PCS LM386 kit” include 85 LM386 chips? No. These titles describe an 85-piece assortment of multiple part types; verify its exact per-type bill of materials.

Are LM386N-1 and LM386N-4 always interchangeable? Do not assume so. Confirm the precise suffix datasheet, supply and output requirements in your design.

Does the microphone board include a microphone, speaker or potentiometer? The shared listing text does not establish those contents for every variant. Several pages explicitly say “without potentiometer,” while their options select pack count only.

Is a 2500PCS headline proof that my LM386 selection ships a full reel? No. Mixed-model reel-style titles require explicit confirmation of the chosen model, quantity and packaging.

Yoeruyo retains the existing assortment while explaining its different deliverables and compatibility limits. For a reliable audio build, buy the exact option and confirm the device datasheet or the selected board's measured specification before final integration.