[sendler]

Ever seen the inside of a $7500.00 chip amp?
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http://www.shine7.com/audio/jeff.htm
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Check out the nice review.
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http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/amp/messages/7578.html
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Maybe I need to try these chips again and use a few more of them this time. I didn't pay attention at the time, what with all of the fervor surrounding them, but a gainclone with 1 LM3886 per channel is only making 38 watts into 8 ohms which may go a long way towards explaining why my TDA7250 amps sounded so much better.

[MaxCast]

Looks like more than a couple of chips in there to me   

[Gaara]

Wow.  I think I will stick with my $160 LM3886 clone.  Hell my BPA200 4ch amp has 16 of those chips and was ~$650.

P.S.  OP Might want to look into a BPA200/BPA300 for higher powered clones

[dweekie]

Have you looked into the LM4702 (stereo) and LM49811 (mono) chips?  They use external transitor/fets, but I hear they are supposed to be the best that National Semiconductor has to offer right now. 

[dweekie]

Scott, I'm not sure if you read this, but these are some musing from a (recently) former National audio circuit designer. 

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=132471&highlight=

[Jon L]

I hate to admit it, but Rowland 10 sounds quite nice.  The good power supply and sturdy chassis/resonance-control must be doing nice things. 

Having said that, my DIY 3886 amp also sounds quite nice for way, way less $ 

[sendler]

Have you looked into the LM4702 (stereo) and LM49811 (mono) chips?  They use external transitor/fets, but I hear they are supposed to be the best that National Semiconductor has to offer right now. 

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I really like the TDA7250 right now. It sounds amazing with cheap TIP143/147 outputs. Much better than a single 3886 with the same power supply and doesn't cost that much more to build. I might try the LM49811 but it's funny that National doesn't seem to post a recommended schematic with parts designations. Just a rough application guide.
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I have 8 3875s ordered to try a bridge/ parallel before forming a final impression. I can get the best true balanced/ bridged sound from them since I have a nice balanced output from my direct out modified DEQ2496 so I won't even need to add a splitter in front of the amps.

[sendler]

Have you looked into the LM4702 (stereo) and LM49811 (mono) chips?  They use external transitor/fets, but I hear they are supposed to be the best that National Semiconductor has to offer right now. 

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Now I found the nice application notes for the LM4702 which would also apply for the 49811.
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http://www.national.com/an/AN/AN-1490.pdf
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Great notes they put together for that chip. It actually discusses differences in the circuit based on listening! No wonder they fired all of those guys. We can't have any of that going on around here.
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I will probably give those a try as well before I commit to boards for the 7250. But so far, it has beaten all comers.