On the other hand the very geometry and small size leads to
compromises, and things like connecting resistors etc. must, in reality,
be semiconductors -- not metal film, carbon film, etc.
This
isn't true, I use thin film smd resistors which are very easy to find
and there's a much wider range of C0G/NP0 capacitors available in smd
than through hole. If you look at a datasheet for an op amp the design
is likely to be an entirely straight forward transistor based amplifier
in a small package.
You are missing my context. I am referring to monolithic device - chips -- that contain all semiconductors, resistors etc in a package. Example - 8 pin opamp. This is true regardless of SMD or through hole. yea, sure if we're in discrete resistor land the part selection is often BETTER in with SMDs because that's the modern packaged, designed for automated placement.
I was very clear: ( I wrote)
In general, chips allow for complex designs that would be large and
costly in discrete form. They also allow for decent device matching as a
side product of the monolithic process. These are good things.
On the other hand . . .
But you have to read in context! Context matters.
'later
G
