🚀 go-pugleaf

 I am interested in constructing an audio amplifier and I need some
help from fellow-netters who may have some experience building one.

 My specifications include the following:

     1. Output power: Moderate : anywhere from 35W to 100W.
     2. Low distortion:   0.01% (Typical)
     3. Simplicity of construction. 
        I am considering using a separate amplifier for each audio 
        driver. ( So that there are no high level crossover networks)
     
     Also I have power supplies which give me +-27 Volts at 10Amps.

 Among the options I am exploring are the following

     1. Using LM12, the power OP AMP manufactured by National Semiconductor.
        It can deliver upto 150 W of power ( of course limited by pwr supplies)

        Advantage: Excellent performance, extremely simple
        Disadvantages: It seems a little bit pricey at $35 for each 
                       chip and I will probably need 6-8 of these.


     2. Using TDA1514 manufactured by signetics. 
        Powerout Max = 40W into 8ohms.


        Advantage: Excellent performance (low noise, distortion 0.01% typ)
                   Cheap $4.50/chip + a few more support components.

        Disadvantage: The only distributor I know of ( Marshall Industries )
                   sells a minimum of 45. I could stockup to maybe 10-15 
                   of these but 45 seems a lot of waste. 

  So, my questions are the following:

      Q1 Has anyone used LM12 / TDA1514 to build audio amps ?
         what has been their experience ?

      Q2 Do people have any suggestions as to other commercially
         available chips which match the ones mentioned in Q1?

      Q3 Are there any Signetics distributors which sell in small
         quantities?

      Q4 Is anybody interested in group purchase of the TDA 1514 ?

      
Thanks a lot for your help. I will post a summary of the responses
I get.


Manish Pandey