After the problems I described in my last log, I added the PAM8301 chips to the order at Mouser that I was making. I got the chips yesterday, but didn't really have time to try anything. Today I finally replaced the Chinese chip with the one from Mouser, and lo and behold — it works! Well, I also got better speakers in the same order, and I also replaced that. They are quite loud!

By the way, if you want to use CircuitPython with that shield, you have to compile your own — the default doesn't have the audioio module included, due to space restrictions. But if you remove some other module you are not using (like the analogio in my case), it will fit.

Now I only have one shield left to get to work — it's assembled and the I²C address enumerates, but I need to write a driver for CircuitPython for it.

Update: there was still one trivial problem left with the audio shield — the mirrored footprint for the amplifier chip. So if you don't want to solder yours up-side-down, Like I did, then better use the corrected PCB available here: https://oshpark.com/projects/OatupN72