[cctalk] Re: typical IC kits on Amazon and elsewhere

Been lurking for a while, but this topic hits true with some recent experiences. I would not hesitate to buy most common digital ICs on Amazon or ebay, but I usually will not buy analog ICs other than from trusted sources, such as Mouser. I have bought LM2596 voltage regulators that oscillate at the wrong frequency (which breaks all the calculations for selecting the inductor), and I have bought MAX202/MAX232 serial drivers that burn up in circuit. Switching to official sources cured both of those problems. You also have to be careful of things like SRAM (for example AS6C4008) as I have found the cheap ones don't meet the performance of the ones from Mouser, even though the silkscreen says they're the same manufacturer and speed. If you're paying more than an order of magnitude less for something than it sells for on Mouser, it's probably not the same part. UTSource used to be good, but I found now commonly engages in bait and switch. A week after I submit an order, I would get some email claiming a supply issue and demanding that I submit additional paypal payment for my order to ship The last order, this happened on two different part numbers, one went from $14/IC to $50/IC and another part went from $5/IC to $12/IC. This had happened several times over the last couple months with them. Maybe they really are having issues with their suppliers (though I swear this was happening on items where UTSource itself was listed as the supplier) but that's not really my concern. They were becoming a huge waste of time and source of frustration. I put them on vacation Aliexpress is full of fakes, on anything and everything, and sometimes you have to repeatedly argue to get your money back. eBay is better at siding with the buyer. Scott On Sat, Mar 30, 2024 at 6:22 PM ben via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote: