# I2S audio breakout (MAX98357A) - how to disable amplifier

**URL:** <https://community.sparkfun.com/t/i2s-audio-breakout-max98357a-how-to-disable-amplifier/45140>\
**Category:** Sound & Audio\
**Created:** [February 13, 2023, 3:08pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/i2s-audio-breakout-max98357a-how-to-disable-amplifier/45140 "2023-02-13T15:08:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![leonpotgieter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@leonpotgieter](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/leonpotgieter)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2023, 3:08pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/i2s-audio-breakout-max98357a-how-to-disable-amplifier/45140/1 "2023-02-13T15:08:21Z")

</div>

Hi,

I would like to use the Sparkfun I2S audio breakout connected to an ESP32, and power an 8ohm 5w speaker/amplifier combination; or alternately connect to an existing amplifier. My understanding is that I would need to disable the built in amplifier to do this?

Is it possible to disable the amplifier on the I2S audio breakout to allow this? Alternately is there another/different DAC/I2S breakout that I could use to do this (ie utilise a different amplifier?)

Thanks,

Leon

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TS-Russell](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/sparkfun/user_avatar/community.sparkfun.com/ts-russell/32/6092_2.png) [@TS-Russell](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/TS-Russell)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2023, 12:06am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/i2s-audio-breakout-max98357a-how-to-disable-amplifier/45140/2 "2023-02-14T00:06:17Z")

</div>

After poking around the datasheet [https://cdn.sparkfun.com/assets/3/5/4/d … 98357B.pdf](https://cdn.sparkfun.com/assets/3/5/4/d/5/MAX98357A-MAX98357B.pdf) for a bit, it isn’t very clear…the TDM mode section has a line for 0 gain, but elsewhere it says TDM has fixed 12dB gain…

This page [https://wiki.dfrobot.com/SKU\_DFR0954\_MA … ier\_Module](https://wiki.dfrobot.com/SKU_DFR0954_MAX98357_I2S_Amplifier_Module) makes me think tying SD to GND might disable it? (uses the same chip)

"SD Mode

Turn off amplifier when SD is connected to GND(Voltage below 0.16V"

Maybe give that a try and see?