I tested the Little Gem for a short time as a microphone amp. I just wanted to know how loud it can get. First, I plug the amp output into the mic socket of our CD player and after that, I set the player as aux and plug the aux cable at the amp output. Both of them worked. However, when I used it on my guitar after some time, I noticed that the output level decreased significantly. I'm familiar how loud it can be with the guitar. I swapped batteries, even used a power supply, still the same. I cranked up the volume and gain knob that I don't usually do, but still, output is weak. I would try to replace the IC as soon as I get another one.
Could it be the mic that damaged the amp (the LM386 perhaps)? Is that possible? Any other reason?
Thanks.
Zener
Could be, what's the mic's output? And are you using recycled caps? Could be that the capacitors have gone bad :?