LM386 Mini Audio Amplifier

A line-level input, a few capacitors, and an 8 Ω speaker — your first stand-alone power amp.

Difficulty: Breadboard. Estimated build time: about 35 minutes. Estimated parts cost: about US$2.50. 8-part bill of materials with live supplier pricing. A pocket-sized audio power amplifier built around a single LM386N-1 in DIP-8.