Lepai LP-2020A+ - Good amp for arcade machines

[SignOfZeta]

I know a lot of people here collect arcade stuff and often times end up re-wiring fucking everything in there so I thought I'd mention this:

/iFxK

You can get it on Amazon for $22.

For some reason CNet reviewed it, which is how I came to know that it even exists.

/iFye

Its pretty simple as far as hookups go. It has stereo RCAs and a 1/8 stereo jack. There is nothing "digital" about it, despite the name. It only has line-level inputs.

It says its 20W. I hooked it up in place of my vintage Marantz in the living room and I'd say that's probably right. Its absolutely loud enough for any arcade machine use. Its also small, comes with its own power supply, and easily mountable.

There is a tone bypass switch on it, which is kind of odd. It bypasses the bass/treble knobs. I suggest using it and just letting it run flat. Arcade machines usually have a flattish tone anyway, and the tone circuit in this thing is garbage.

As an amp, audio quality-wise, its nothing to get excited about. Not great, not terrible. No highs, few lows, could almost be Bose.

Its 22 friggn dollars though, so its basically a miracle. Use it in whatever project you'd like. You could even use it for a stereo if your standards aren't very high. Maybe for your garage or whatever.

[Frank_fjs]

I fully agree that these are great little units for cabs. I've been using one for years without issue, back when I got it they were around $12 landed from China. I power mine straight from an arcade PSU and they're easy to mount. Perfect level of amplification for a cab.

This is the one I have:



There's heaps of them out there but I've found the Lepai ones to be slightly better quality than most.

[Tatsujin]

l'oppai

[majors]

You use these amps for boards with RCA outs (pre-amp)? Like CPS2?

I have a few cabs that use amps to drive a pair of speakers, I'll have to remember this little sucker if they fail. Most of the older woodys just rock with a clock radio speaker, no amp need apply.

[SignOfZeta]

You use these amps for boards with RCA outs (pre-amp)? Like CPS2?

I have a few cabs that use amps to drive a pair of speakers, I'll have to remember this little sucker if they fail. Most of the older woodys just rock with a clock radio speaker, no amp need apply.

If the board is mono you could split the output and send it to both L and R on this thing. Any board that is stereo is usually going to have some sort of non-JAMMA means of getting the sound out. CPS2 has standard RCA jacks like any audio component. Neo Geo is all over the place due to there being so many versions of the board. Sometimes there is a headphone jack on there, usually the JAMMA edge is different than standard and has stereo audio on it.

[PunkCryborg]

Nice I could definitely use one of these in one of my cabs with a failing audio amp on the main PSU and for one of my PVMs that also has a bad internal amp. I use  regular receiver for that but it's overkill for it when i could just strap one of these to the back.
Also glad to hear your also into vintage amps. I love the vintage Marantz amps and I switch between my Marantz 2230 and my Sansui Quad for listening to music.

[SignOfZeta]

Yep, the 2230 is what I have too.

/iG9s

My turntable is a Panasonic RD-2900.

/iG9g

[PunkCryborg]

we need a show off your 70s hifi thread now

[PunkCryborg]

Oh and how did you get your lamp so blue? Did you use one of those kits to replace the film behind the glass or is yours just super nice? Every unit that I see mine included has turned that greenish color.

[SignOfZeta]

I bought this unit about 2 years ago from a dude that had it refurbished at a local shop. I know he calibrated the tuner and replaced all the burned out lights, but I don't think he replaced the film. Maybe it just doesn't have a lot of hours on it. Its never been recapped, I know that much.

The power switch crumbled a while back. It was still good electrically but it would no longer stay depressed. I found a close-but-not-quite replacement online. It fits the chassis but not the little button cap. I sort of shimmed it to fit.