Amp powering question - Got rid of my PC spkrs & decided to use the 1 in my cab

[quarterback]

I've gotten tired of messing with my PC speakers propped on top of my cab and I've decided to simply hook up an old Kraco car amp to the single speaker already IN my cab and just go with that.

My question is, do I need to run a separate power supply for the amp?

I've serached and seen people mention using separate power supplies, but I haven't found a definitive yes or no.   The Krapo amp is "140 Watts!" which is really 70watts per channel peak and 45 watts per channel RMS (according to the specs).   What do we think about this?   Do I need to add a separate PC power supply to my cab?  I'd rather not, but if I need to I will.

Thanks

[Jabba]

I had the same problem (speakers propped up on cab). What I did was install two sheilded speakers in the cab, then opened up my speakers, soldered onto the speaker terminals in the computer speakers and ran the wires to the speakers in the cab. Now I leave the computer speakers in the cab and adjust volume with joystick (option in mame). I'm thinking of adding in a volume pot hack to the cab as documented in Oscars web site so I can adjust the volume from the front of my cab...

[quarterback]

Yeah, I started off today by going to radio shack and buying the pot and knobs to do that hack.  But after I got my marquee off and was looking for the best place to mount the sound-pot, I started thinking about the old amp sitting in my basement (it came out of a car I sold ~10 years ago and hasn't been used since)

So I decided I might give it a shot.  I got it powered up and I hooked up the mono speaker in my cab and it sounds GREAT!   In fact, I really like it better than my 3-piece logitech setup.  Sure, the logitechs probably sound better with music, but the mono built-in speaker really makes it sound like I'm in an arcade.  Part of that is physical positioning and where the sound is coming from, but part of it is "quality", and I have to say I'm really digging it!

Clearly the decision is up to you, but I have to give my vote for the authenticity of the speaker in my cab.


My amp has a 'gain' setting which I have all the way down as low as it can go.  I also (currently in my rigged-setup on the floor) only have the left channel running to it.  But MAN, it's already plenty loud.  The car amp really is overkill.   Maybe I can probe how many amps it's pulling at its lowest setting....

[quarterback]

Well, it looks like the amplifier is pulling about 2.5 to 3.5 amps, so I'm guessing a 2nd power supply is probably the best idea for me.

[SirPeale]

I just ran the output from my soundcard to the speaker in all my cabs.  The sound is fine.  Any reason you can't do that?

[quarterback]

I just ran the output from my soundcard to the speaker in all my cabs.  The sound is fine.  Any reason you can't do that?

Really?  It's driving a speaker without any amplification?

I do have an old SB16 that has a built in 'amp' and volume dial on the back, but I'm not using that card in this machine.  I didn't try it, but I'd be surprised if my soundcard could push the speaker that's built into my cab without any sort of amp.  I mean, that's why PC speakers are powered in the first place, no?

[SirPeale]

I suppose it depends on what level of volume you're looking for.  I've got two cabs with no amplification (other than what's already on the board) and the sound is top notch.

If anything, just give it a shot, and if it doesn't work, then you wire the amp in.