
General Description
The MAX4409 stereo headphone amplifier combines
Maxim’s DirectDrive architecture and a common-
mode sense input, which allows the amplifier to reject
common-mode noise. Conventional headphone ampli-
fiers require a bulky DC-blocking capacitor between
the headphone and the amplifier. DirectDrive produces
a ground-referenced output from a single supply, elimi-
nating the need for large DC-blocking capacitors,
which saves cost, board space, and component height.
The common-mode voltage sensing corrects for any
difference between SGND of the amplifier and the
headphone return. This feature minimizes ground-loop
noise when the HP socket is used as a line out connec-
tion to other grounded equipment, for example, a PC
connected to a home hi-fi system.
The MAX4409 draws only 5mA of supply current, deliv-
ers up to 80mW per channel into a 16
Ω load, and has a
low 0.002% THD+N. A high 86dB power-supply rejec-
tion ratio allows this device to operate from noisy digital
supplies without additional power-supply conditioning.
The MAX4409 includes ±8kV ESD protection on the
headphone outputs. Comprehensive click-and-pop cir-
cuitry eliminates audible clicks and pops on startup
and shutdown. A low-power shutdown mode reduces
supply current draw to only 6A.
The MAX4409 operates from a single 1.8V to 3.6V sup-
ply, has short-circuit and thermal overload protection,
and is specified over the extended -40°C to +85°C tem-
perature range. The MAX4409 is available in a tiny 20-
pin thin QFN (4mm x 4mm x 0.8mm) package.
Applications
Features
No Bulky DC-Blocking Capacitors Required
Ground-Referenced Outputs Eliminate DC-Bias
Voltages on Headphone Ground Pin
Common-Mode Voltage Sensing Eliminates
Ground-Loop Noise
96dB CMRR
No Degradation of Low-Frequency Response Due
to Output Capacitors
80mW per Channel into 16Ω
Low 0.002% THD+N
High 86dB PSRR
Integrated Click-and-Pop Suppression
1.8V to 3.6V Single-Supply Operation
Low Quiescent Current
Low-Power Shutdown Mode
Short-Circuit and Thermal-Overload Protection
±8kV ESD-Protected Amplifier Outputs
Available in a Space-Saving Package
20-Pin Thin QFN (4mm x 4mm x 0.8mm)
MAX4409
80mW, DirectDrive, Stereo Headphone
Amplifier with Common-Mode Sense
________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products
1
LEFT
AUDIO
INPUT
RIGHT
AUDIO
INPUT
SHDN
COM
MAX4409
DirectDrive OUTPUTS
ELIMINATE DC-BLOCKING
CAPACITORS
COMMON-MODE
SENSE INPUT ELIMINATES
GROUND-LOOP NOISE
Functional Diagram
Ordering Information
19-2842; Rev 3; 6/09
For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim Direct at 1-888-629-4642,
or visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-ic.com
PART
TEMP RANGE
PIN-PACKAGE
MAX4409ETP
-40°C to +85°C
20 Thin QFN-EP*
Notebooks
Desktop PCs
Cellular Phones
PDAs
MP3 Players
Tablet PCs
Portable Audio Equipment
Pin Configurations and Typical Application Circuit appear
at end of data sheet.
*EP = Exposed pad.
DirectDrive is a registered trademark of Maxim Integrated
Products, Inc.