LM386N-3/NOPB
Texas Instruments
MOQ 1 · Tube · RoHS · EIA-481 · DAP/DDP · T/T
Technical specifications
| Parameter / Attribute | Specification / Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Class AB |
| Output type | 1-Channel (Mono) |
| Mounting | Through Hole |
| Supply voltage | 4V ~ 12V |
| Max output power x channels @ load | 700mW x 1 @ 8Ohm |
| Operating temperature | 0°C~70°C(TA) |
| Package | Tube |
| Case | 8-DIP (0.300\", 7.62mm) |
Need Stock or a Drop-in Second-Source for LM386N-3/NOPB?
Package: DIP-8 / SOIC-8 · Pin-compatible replacements with immediate Shenzhen spot stock
The LM386 is the amplifier of every pocket radio, intercom and talking toy of the last forty years - 8 pins, a default gain of 20, and a design so forgiving that a working amp fits on a thumbnail. The suffix map confuses people who over-read it: N means DIP, M means SOIC, and the numbers that follow are voltage and power classes, not different chips - though the class matters: an N-1 runs to 12V, an N-4 to 18. The gain story is one capacitor between pins 1 and 8, from 20 to 200, with a resistor in series for anything in between. And the clone market (the JRC/NJM row and the Chinese fabs) is old and mostly benign here - the part is simple enough that even copies behave.
Verified Pin-Compatible Replacements (3 verified alternatives)
The High-Voltage Member of the Row
Shenzhen Spot Stock (24-48h Dispatch)
The 18V-class member (against the N-1s 12V): about 1W into 32 ohms at 16V against the 250-325mW class of the basic grade - same die family, same pins, more ceiling.
5V to 18V (22V absolute) against the N-1/N-3s 4-12V window: the reason it exists.
The Classic Japanese Clone Row
Shenzhen Spot Stock (24-48h Dispatch)
The JRC/NJM-labeled member of the same design: identical pinout, gain pins and behavior - the part many Japanese and Chinese consumer radios were actually built with.
Per the sub-grade; match the voltage class when replacing.
The Surface-Mount Form
Shenzhen Spot Stock (24-48h Dispatch)
The SOIC-8 member (M suffix) of the 12V-class grade: same die, same gain behavior, a smaller thermal envelope.
The 4-12V class of the N-1/N-3 row.
Buyer & Quality Checklist for Sourcing Alternatives
- Decode the suffix once: N = DIP, M = SOIC, and the trailing number is the voltage/power class (N-1 and N-3 in the 12V window, N-4 to 18V). Same amplifier inside; match the class to the rail.
- The gain is external: pins 1 and 8 open give 20 (26dB, the internal 1.35k resistor); a 10uF capacitor between them gives 200; a resistor in series with the capacitor lands anywhere between. Repairs that fit the capacitor by habit change the design gain.
- At high gain, bypass the unused input (small capacitor or short to ground) or the amplifier finds instability instead of signal - the classic hiss-and-oscillate complaint.
- The output sits at half the supply by design: the output coupling capacitor is mandatory into any speaker or following stage - its absence is a dead short to the speaker coil at DC.
- The classic 386-family instability cures still apply: the pin 7 bypass capacitor, tight supply decoupling, and short output traces. On breadboards this part will teach the lesson whether asked or not.
- Clone rows are electrically faithful in this part (unlike many in this catalog) - but buy by grade, not just by name: a 12V design wants a 12V-labeled class on the body.
Frequently Asked Technical Questions
Q: What do the LM386 suffixes mean?
A: Package and voltage class: N is DIP, M is SOIC; the trailing number is the class (N-1 and N-3 run to 12V, N-4 to 18V). The amplifier inside and the pinout are the same across the row.
Q: How do I set the gain of an LM386?
A: Pins 1 and 8: open gives the default 20 (internal 1.35k resistor); a 10uF capacitor across them gives 200; a resistor in series with the capacitor sets anything between. At high gain, bypass the unused input or the stage goes unstable.
Q: Is JRC386 the same as LM386?
A: Electrically yes - the JRC/NJM-labeled rows follow the same pinout and gain behavior, and the simple circuit means clones perform honestly. Match the voltage class and treat it as a period-correct restoration part.