Unfortunately yes, if you go to TIs website it states that. Some countries still hold old stock but knowing supplies are limited; sell at extortionate prices.
Great idea! Lots of old Marshall SS amps have these chip amps in them too. My main supplier used to sell loaded pcb's like that Boss one for the Marshall's but they are all gone now. I'll take a look at the spec sheets and try put together a few on perf boards.
These cheap ones aren't fake, they are original but defective chips. There is the Chinese version of this chip without current limiter and can output 100w on 4ohms. See on youtube tested by a Russian youtuber, masterDTS. These chips don't have ST logo.
