Free iPod Amps & Parts (non-CMoy)

A quick intro to those who are still working (like me) with tangent or CMoy amps and have SMD or Pins on small parts to solder... I have Young-Onset Parkinsons Disease (Michael J. Fox, Muhammad Ali etc. etc.) so my hands are not as steady as they used to be...do not BUILD...when you can Mooch...

These EVM (evaluation modules) are built and designed for testing by huge IC firms... just look around and...'um... sign up...hehe..if you can't get Eval boards get sample parts! OP AMPS and many other components are FREE from the original manufacturer. Some are "alternative" parts and the DIP are usually the cheapest. SMD and SOIC devices tend to NOT come in single qty unless you pay a few dollars.

Easy search tools are online for various OP AMP power requirements, form factor and output ratings. Low voltage power requirements are best for portable iPod versions, however 12v+ power with amps over 10W per channel are available for speaker applications. Build your own iPod boombox or dock with amp & speakers!

http://focus.ti.com/docs/toolsw/folders/print/opamppro.html

Most IC firms have free SAMPLES and/or discounts for quantities of ONE. They usually deal with THOUSANDS of parts on tape reels. It's expensive for them to send you ONE part.,so they built these "testbed" or sandbox modules for customer testing...all pre made and with easy pins for attachment to power and audio inputs/outputs! Search IC makers websites and get free samples! These are NOT for resale and are for testing only...;)

You usually get ONE only...but of each type! Order seperate parts or all together!

Also see tangents excellent DIY amps & improved designs from Chu Moy's/Sijoase. Buy his low cost pre-fab IC boards!

http://tangentsoft.net/audio/cmoy-tutorial/ he has some parts and parts #'s for most distributors

and see the headwize DIY forums for the bleeding edge stuff...! ya way cool.

http://headwize.com/ubb/forumdisplay.php?fnum=3

Links to pictures of Sijoase's amps...was some talkway back of IC board production runs from Sijoase schematics...? hum?

http://headwize.com/ubb/forumdisplay.php?fnum=3

Comments

[erckgillis]

I need to update this soon!

[tigerdog330]

wait so i just ordered the eval board here: http://focus.ti.com/docs/toolsw/folders/print/opampevm-sot23.html
for free then i was reading the pdf (http://focus.ti.com/lit/ug/slou060b/slou060b.pdf ) and it was a little confusing but from what i can understand, it says you need to get the sample amps separate and put them together yourself? please correct me if im wrong because if i understand correctly then i just ordered another thing i cant use.

[erckgillis]

yes

[erckgillis]

yes, you have to assemble many of them yourself...that is why they are cheap or free....try soldering...

[tigerdog330]

nvm it came in the mail today.. so it turns out its just the board with the circuits printed and you need to add all the parts on your own.

[fothic15]

I got a bunch of stuff in the mail today but its all teeny, tiny chips. How do I get a board for it???

[erckgillis]

lol...you have to MAKE them...

[warri0r13]

Hi, i know it's an old instructible, but i have a question. When i'm registering my TI account, then what to put as my company?

[erckgillis]

anything...

[thefallenangelx]

How to get the EVM PA2000D4 as a free sample?
Or do you have any links for free EVM as for http://redirectingat.com/?id=487X782&url=http%3A//focus.ti.com/docs/toolsw/folders/print/opampevm-sot23.html?

[planes891]

in that first picture, i cant find that part on ti's website can you post a link? thanks

[erckgillis]

Both the Op Amp SLOP 329 and the EVM (Evaluation Module) PA2000D4 have links to http://focus.ti.com/lit/ug/slou091a/slou091a.pdf

[tigerdog330]

wait is this the $49 board here in the picture?

[cupnoodles2]

Hey do u have schematics for that cmoy u have there? thanks my mail is [e-mail]

[cdubnbird]

ok so I'm not nearly as tech-savvy as everyone else. i just want a decent audio amplifier that can fit in an altoids tin and preferably have two headphone ports. i looked at the sites and was thoroughly confused (and half of them didn't even come up). If someone could refer me to a site where i could get an amp for free that'd be super cool?

[cdman0025]

Where do you reccomend to use or get free eval kits from? Please putllinks

[erckgillis]

Must use "social engineering". Sorry for a quick link spend the $49. Cheaper than ANY kit you can buy or build for that quality (see photo).
Beg borrow conjole you CAN get free via email, use their cloest competition as reference , cc emails from one to another. Get a price or discount then negotiate....you can do it.... I'm working on a whole EVM SYSTEM...for free!

http://focus.ti.com/docs/toolsw/folders/print/tpabasekitevm.html

Lazy try $5 boards - http://focus.ti.com/docs/toolsw/folders/print/opampevm-sot23.html

[littlechef37]

I clicked buy with TI E store and I got them for free for some reason.... ?????

[pmac93]

where else can i sign up for free samples besides ti?

[littlechef37]

theres a ist of places here.....

[Derin]

w00t high tech japanese caps

[LinuxH4x0r]

Are there any fm transmitters? If so, could you please post a link? Thanks

[erckgillis]

Like these?

http://hackedgadgets.com/2007/03/24/diy-fm-transmitter/

http://www.diylive.net/index.php/2005/12/21/diy-fm-transmitter/

[LinuxH4x0r]

Any specific link to free samples? (ti, national, etc)

[erckgillis]

You have to sign up and ask!

like at TI! http://www.ti.com/home_b_samples

right on their Homepage...did ya look at all?

e

[LinuxH4x0r]

No, I got that, I meant do you know of any specific ones? I signed up for ti, but I'm not sure what to get

[erckgillis]

Of course you can BUY a FM Transmitter (using your MP3 player as a pre-amp) for a few dollars...

http://www.dealextreme.com/search.dx/search.FM%20transmitter

[bluenightweasel]

Heh that is so cool im gonna go do that thank you very good instructable +1

[admanrocks]

OK, so im not that electronic savy, i have the schematic for my amp, so i was wondeing if anyone can tell me whats going on. thanks, adam

[erckgillis]

OK, I see several issues...
1-This is a inverting or power supply/filter opamp, we'd prefer a audio amp like a quality Burr Brown
2-this requires a power bypass, virtual ground or a voltage reference circuit. You realize this is 1/2 a amp rignt?
3-also a poor circuit for a gain adjustable amp...
4-read the Tagent tutorial & start with a cheaper CMoy with fewer parts and lower cost for better quality
5- don't start off with a SOIC opamp try a DIP which is easier for DIY

good luck

tagent tutorial
http://tangentsoft.net/audio/cmoy-tutorial/

[admanrocks]

Are there any free amps that are put together?

[erckgillis]

You can get FREE parts, then build. Assembeled amps are not free. The EVM modules are still missing connectors (audio input/outputs and Power) and are usaully $45-99 each. However some can be had cheap or free (see below). Fully assembeled amps are avail on ebay and some CMoy / Tangent amps are avail fully built but never for free...geez how much do you want... lol Not much money in giving away assembeled amps! Get your free parts, and build one...it's more fun...

[planes891]

hm says they cost 49 dollars each, guess those arent free

[erckgillis]

beg...it works...ask for overstocks/out dated or opsoltet versions. Or perhas YOU can you build one of their quality & size for $49? Add $4 for jacks, battery and a case and you are DONE! No CMOY parts, no PCB or Fab work, no Wires Gain or or mess...way cool... Just pick your TI OpAmp and Power needs.

[Arrgh406]

the best way to find free parts is to go to digi-key, find the part you want,click on the manufacturer's link and write an email to them.

[erckgillis]

Yes, if you get a "reject" send them the email from a 'positive' competitor and that you'll buy from them... I love America!

[Arrgh406]

a while back i got over $100 of free stuff from ti

[erckgillis]

Found many Eval Boards at National Semiconductors site, many completed PCb were only $10 for purchase...I ordered some free samples of Op Amps and DC/DC convertors...limit was 5 orders of upto 5 items each....wow...no shipping on in stock items...consider it free packaging materials as they come in small hobby sized boxes with mylar wrap, reusable packaging...all for free...!

[admanrocks]

what IC firms?

[erckgillis]

I used TI...but most all original manufactures have some samples... Check out National Semi www.national.com I use TI 'cause I'm in Dallas and usually get samples in a day or so...