[Martin Bush]

Thanks Paul.

I have been looking at a design for what's claimed to be a very clean design online which I may have a go at and thought there may be other possibilities. I will look up what you suggest as regards distortion.

I seem to recall buying 10 or so ICs.

Cheap and plentiful is the order of the day for me - it's good to be able to experiment at low non-mains voltages!