🚀 go-pugleaf

I'm trying to boost a microphone (-50 dBm) to instrument 
level (-17 dBm).  I looked through Horowitz & Hill's chapter 
on op amps, and they have a circuit for a 40 dB amplifier.  
It has 

5 op-amps
3 diodes
14 resistors
4 capacitors
5 variable resistors
3 switches
and various other parts

I don't want to put 34+ parts together for a simple 
amplifier!  Aren't there chips with all this in one package?  
I doubt I'm the only one who's ever wanted a 40 dB 
amplifier.  I was hoping there'd be a chip with 8 legs: 2 
input, 2 output, 2 power source, 2 for a potentiometer.

I'm also stumped by H&H.  Do the simple circuits in the 
front of Chapter 4 do something?  I'm not sure if I want an 
inverting, noninverting, optional inverter, follower, 
differential, summing, floating power supply, or power-
switching amplifier.  I just want an amplifier.  H&H forget 
to mention what each circuit they describe can be used for.  
Is there a book that teaches you how to make useful, simple 
circuits?

I heard about a SSM 2015 microphone preamp chip, with 54 dB 
gain.  I called 10 electronics suppliers in Silicon Valley, 
and none have this chip (Insight, Halted, Alltronics, 
Quement, Anchor, Haltek, R&D, Fry's, and Zak's).  Where else 
should I call?

Also, are microphones ac or dc?  I'm sure there are both, 
but mine has a battery in it, so I assume it's dc.
-- 
"Why my thoughts are my own, when they are in, but when they are out
they are another's." - Susannah Martin, hanged for witchcraft, 1692.
Thomas David Kehoe          kehoe@netcom.com         (408) 354-5926