Read/write positioning arm with interspaced amplifier chips

An extension for an actuator arm employed for positioning information storage or retrieval transducers, the extension comprising:

• first and second suspensions each having a transducer end and a mounting end, with said mounting ends being connectable to the actuator arm,
• a first integrated circuit chip connected by a first plurality of electrical leads to a first transducer, said first integrated circuit chip attached to said first suspension adjacent to said first mounting end and separated from said first transducer end by a first distance, and
• a second integrated circuit chip connected by a second plurality of electrical leads to a second transducer, said second integrated circuit chip attached to said second suspension adjacent to said second mounting end and separated from said second transducer end by a second distance,
• wherein said first distance is different than said second distance.

A head stack assembly comprising:

• a body having a rigid arm pointing in a first direction, said arm having a thickness measured in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction,
• first and second suspensions each having a mounting end and a free end, said mounting ends being attached to said arm and separated by said thickness,
• a first transducer held adjacent said free end of said first suspension,
• a second transducer held adjacent said free end of said second suspension,
• a first amplifier attached to said mounting end of said first suspension and connected to said first transducer with a first plurality of electrical leads, and
• a second amplifier attached to said mounting end of said second suspension and connected to said second transducer with a second plurality of electrical leads,
• wherein said first and said second amplifiers each are disposed adjacent the same side of said rigid arm and have a dimension extending in said second direction that is greater than half of said thickness.