Where to buy opamps and other useful IC assortment kit components in the USA - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2019, 10:22:19 pm
content: HiAnyone has an idea where i can find an assortment kit with opamps and other useful IC's in the United States?It is no problem if it includes other components like resistors and capacitors. My budget is $20. I don't want to spend more than that if possible, because i have to take in account the costs of freight to my country.I found an assortment kit with opamps (see link). Are the opamps in this kit useful?http://vakits.com/analog-ic-dip-only-design-kit-1

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2019, 10:34:50 pm
content: Questions:1. Where do you want the items delivered to? Suriname?2. Why do you need to buy them in the US?

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2019, 10:45:21 pm
content: Yes the items must be delivered in Suriname. Here in Suriname, we send a link of something we want to order online to a shipping agency here in Suriname. Then the shipping agency orders the product and ships it to the customer in Suriname.We always order products from the US because shipping is cheaper. But it must be no problem to order something fro elsewhere in the world.

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 03, 2019, 11:03:35 pm
content: That kit looks pretty good for playing around with some basic analog circuits.

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2019, 11:16:15 pm
content: The major distributors in the US are Mouser and Digikey.Does the shipping company have a presence in the US? If so, for the kinds of components you are interested in I would have them buy from Aliexpress - like from this vendor:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32920108357.htmlI know there is some concern about getting "fake" items from Aliexpress, but I wouldn't worry about it for things like LM324s and NE555s. You'll save a lot of money - e.g. a LM324 at Mouser costs $0.41/chip (not including shipping), but only $0.07 from Aliexpress.

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2019, 11:17:01 pm
content: Many thanks Dubbie. I want to experiment with opamp circuits. Alright, if it looks good i will order it

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2019, 11:22:27 pm
content: Ledtester, all shipping companies here in Suriname have a presence in the USA but they don't order from Aliexpress. They don't have good experiences with Aliexpress. What do you think about the items on the website i posted? Dubbie said they are good components

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2019, 11:46:39 pm
content: It's a fine assortment if you don't have any components at all. But if you already have a resistor set and some small signal transistors, diodes, etc. it's kinda expensive for what you get.The op-amps are fine for learning, but they are old technology. Modern op-amps are much better in almost all aspects - power consumption, rail-to-rail output, offset current, etc.

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2019, 12:18:19 am
content: I found another link for opamps on ebay. Are these modern and generally used??https://www.ebay.com/itm/Linear-IC-Kit-Analog-Assortment-of-Op-Amps-Comparators-Regulators-Converters-/282943781205

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 04, 2019, 02:32:31 am
content: I think for learning, the old stuff is fine. If you are making a specific project, you can choose and buy an opamp that is best suited for that exact job.The old ones will really give you a good feel for where and how real-life parts deviate from the perfection of basic theoretical parts.

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2019, 03:02:34 am
content: Many thanks Dubbie for helping me out.Should i buy the kit from ebay or the one i posted earlierEbay:https://www.ebay.com/itm/Linear-IC-Kit-Analog-Assortment-of-Op-Amps-Comparators-Regulators-Converters-/282943781205The link i posted earlier:http://vakits.com/analog-ic-dip-only-design-kit-1

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2019, 04:39:21 am
content: All of the chips in the ebay listing are classic devices and suitable for learning about op-amps.For comparison I put together a Mouser order to come in under $20 including shipping. It only contains op-amps and comparators and doesn't include the LM1458N or NE5532. The only advantage of using a commercial distributor is you know the chips will be handled and packaged well. Although, the ebay seller has 100% positive feedback, so the guy probably is careful with his handling and packaging as well.

author: robsims
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2019, 05:04:15 am
content: Many thanks for the list ledtester. I'll go with you're list and order them from Mouser. Thanks again

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2019, 07:04:37 am
content: For simple stuff (e.g. resistors, LEDs, LM358), chances are good to still find non fake parts on Alibaba and get the directly from China. There is no need to go via US. Chipping from China to the EU and US is usually really cheap - should not be that different to other countries.For more higher end parts chances are high to get fakes - so ordering from something like Mouser via the US may be a good option.