Modifying the Noisy Cricket circuit

[pwnuts]

Hey all, first time poster.

Recently, I've been toying with the idea of building myself a Noisy Cricket for the summer months, so I can jam outside with my band. However, I was worried about the ~0.6W that I'd get from it. Looking at the schematic I had a look at the LM386 datasheet, and saw it comes in an up-to 18V, 1W output flavour. After more research I realised that this chip (the LM386N-4) doesn't have the "gain" pins on 1 and 8. This got me thinking, as I thought originally it might just be an straight swap between the two with some voltage regulation for the remainder of the circuit, but unfortunately it doesn't look that easy.

Anyone got any ideas how I could preserve the features of the Noisy Cricket whilst adding a little more volume on tap?

Thanks.

[ayayay!]

No way will you hear anything with a band involved.  It's just not that kind of an amp really.  

...okay I'll take that back.  It worked and sounded good w/ my old 4x12 cab, I just doubt it's gonna have enough output with other instruments involved. 

[pwnuts]

Sorry, I probably defined 'band' wrong. My band consists of another guitarist (who'll probably play another if I get this sorted) and our drummer who'd be playing a cajon. I thought it would be loud enough for that, though I could still be wrong though.

[p_wats]

Yeah, the Noisy Cricket is going to be a tough to hear with other musicians involved, especially if you want any clean volume at all.

I'm currently building one of these and it's much, much louder (also this site belongs to a well-respected forum member):

http://musicpcb.com/pcbs/tiny-giant-amp/

[pwnuts]

Thanks for the link, that's really useful. You wouldn't happen to have any experience with running it from batteries, would you?

[p_wats]

Thanks for the link, that's really useful. You wouldn't happen to have any experience with running it from batteries, would you?

I don't think it can be run on batteries, unfortunately. The power supply needs to deliver a lot of current (4 amps).

[pwnuts]

Shame. Thanks anyways, it still might be an option. (:

[jasperoosthoek]

If you want to use a battery then I might suggest a more efficient chip: TA2020/TA2024. PCBs with all components installed are found on ebay and are cheap. You do need a preamp as they are generaly not even loud enough for an MP3 player let alone a guitar. But so are normal power amps that have a preamp too.

I have one in a 2x25 watts battery powered boom box. (12V lead acid gell).

[pwnuts]

Thanks, that's something that's really got me interested. Do you think I could use the 12AU7 based circuit here as a preamp, (powering the circuit from the same 12v battery) or would that be a little optimistic?

[jasperoosthoek]

That'll work like a charm .

You could also consider one of Rick Holt's (frequencycentral) subminiature designs that use a step-up generator if you feel you're up to it and use a chip amp as a power section. Lot's of possibilities, hard to make a decision.

[pwnuts]

Thanks. I'll throw a layout together and start a new thread, since this has gone WAY off-topic.