You might want to reconsider using a pi. The version of MAME that Retropie runs is ancient. You will also have way more flexibility if you use a PC. I would only ever use a pi if I had space constraints (I have one in a bartop and I kind of hate it).
Thanks, but I am going the PI route to check it out. I think it will do plenty for what I do, which is mostly play 80s games and turn it on for parties.
I just need to figure out how to get the LEDs to turn on and off when the PI does and need a good upgrade for the keyboard encoder.
I did find a video on switching out the LEDs in the volcano switches, so I'll give that a go.
I'm really not interested in spending CRT upgrade money at this point. The LCD works fine for me!