About the only thing "bad" with the LM386 is how finicky it is with component selection and layout. It's a great little amp when it works well, but sometimes it

About the only thing "bad" with the LM386 is how finicky it is with component selection and layout. It's a great little amp when it works well, but sometimes it will go dopey on you just looking at it sideways. It actually works better in a PCB situation (breadboarding is where it can be wonky in operation - ymmv). As far as a replacement part? I don't think there are many alternatives there (at least with the same size, and easy to configure - there are a few stereo ICs I've seen used for class-D amps, but they weren't as simple to use or as small).