I found an old LM386 chip in one of my piles of junk, and I'm thinking of putting it into use.
All the schematics in the data sheet use an idiotic, large output coupling capacitor between the chip and the speaker, which just makes me cringe.
I'm thinking that since the IC references the output at halfway between its power rails, and since I'm using a virtual reference in the rest of my circuit at V/2, can't I just tie the speaker's return to the virtual ground?
There is a chance that the two voltages may differ, causing some current to flow at quiescence, and any such current should be kept well below what the device can deliver.
Any other gotchas with this IC?
Thanks.