audio side of jukebox? is this possible ?

[tteettuk]

just thinking about the audio side, can you buy a pc amp that will be powered on when the pc starts up and will run half decent loud speakers ?

The only other options i can see are:

Pair of powered pc speakers, but you would have to turn them on and of manually ?
or a hi fi amp and speakers again you would have to turn  the amp on manually?

It would be nice to just turn the pc /jukebox on and all the amp/speakers come on as well...instead of opening the cabinet and turning it on manually ?

What does everybody else use ?

[heffe2001]

A power strip with an auto-on function would work for the latter.  Basically when it sees the power draw of the PC, it kicks on other outlets, and turns them off when the power draw on the PC stops.  I'm sure someone will chime in with examples, but that's the basic idea.

I'm using a car-stereo amp in my juke, connected to a large PC power supply.  I need to order a relay at some point so I can have the PC control that seperate amp and switch it on whenever the PC comes up, just haven't done it as of yet.  Maybe I'll get to that when I finally get around to cleaning up my wiring inside, lol.

[Blanka]

I think Asus just introduced a PCI D-amp with 5 channel amplifier. Completely run of the PC power supply. Looks like what you need.

[tteettuk]

Hi thanks where do you buy the auto power strips from in the UK ?

And any links to the D-amp with 5 channel amplifier really only wanted 2 channel ?
thanks

[Blanka]

This looks cool:
http://www.marchandelec.com/pm48.html
http://www.prel.de/html/produkte.html

[richms]

A lot of stand alone power amps will take a 12v trigger to power up.

Normally this would come from the pre-amp, but no reason you couldnt use a computer to send it. You would still want an attenuator between the computer and the amp tho, and you may have an issue with turnon thumps unless you make some sort of delay circuit.

[tteettuk]

Could i use one of the little T amps ? Set the volume up on the amp, then plug the audio out into it , then use the volume controls on the jukebox to control it ?
I belive they do not use much power ?

[richms]

Yes, but they don't put out a tonne of power either.

[Blanka]

If the speaker has a good db/watt ratio, the T-amp will deliver enough. You'll be amazed how much sound perfect 2x5 watt can deliver.

[tteettuk]

So what does every body use ? car amps/audio amps/powered soeakers ?
I just wanted to be able to turn the jukebox on, and the amp speakers come on as well, no switching powered speakers on, no turning audio amp on etc.
The speakers and amp are going to be built inside so just want it to all come on when the pc is turned on, and be able to adjust the volume from the jukebox/pc thanks

[richms]

I have a bryston 4b sst for my entertainment amp which has the output of a PC going to the receiver. I don't have a dedicated amp in a cab being a jukebox because I also use the system for movies etc. It has a 12v trigger that connects to the output of the receiver so it comes on with it. I have probably never taken even 10% of what it puts out and its plenty loud enough, so a good solid 50-100w per side should do the job nicely.

There are also gruntier digital amps then the T amp, but none that actually run on 12 volts since you need higher voltages to get higher power into a speaker. Car amps step the 12v up to 30-70 or so internally, whereas a PA or home amp will step down line voltage to the internal voltages.

The thing is, if what you get has no gain control on it and you are using only the mixer on the computer you run the risk of windows being an arse and resetting it to full on you for no good reason, which will be very very loud - ideally you want to attenuate it with either controls on the amp or an inline device so that full on windows is as loud as you want it. Most actual PA gear has gain controls, most power amps targeted at the home market doesnt for some strange reason.

Just look for a 12v trigger jack on the power amp and you can have it turning off and on with the computer easily.