I've been toying with a Juke. Was wondering if anyone had successfully built a digital one from a cannibalized laptop married to an amp. Ultimately would like to build a touchscreen PC with amplifier and speakers in an antique wood cab. At least that's what I envision. Thinking of tearing apart one of my older laptops to build something a little more compact. My current laptop is touchscreen but I think my employer would have something to say about ripping it apart for a Juke.

Right now the $8 grand plus ones rely on Cd's to use the button/menu selection system. Unacceptable 80's tech at that price.

I know that there is digital Jukebox software that some guys are running on MAME cabs so I was wondering what sort of soundcard/ preamp/ amp and speakers they where using to give some decent fidelity to this thing.

Anyway if someone can direct me to someone who has documented a similar project it would be appreciated.

I have mine set up in my MAME cab.  It's called "Arcade Jukebox".  I believe it supports touch screen operation.  What do you mean by "fidelity"..  Commercial jukes aren't built to sound nice, they're made to sound loud (bars, open spaces, etc.).

I run my sound through a component system amplifier.  The speakers came from surround speakers I had lying around (50 watts) and I have a 12" Bazooka car sub in the cab.  It runs off of a 12V adapter for those electric coolers they sell at Canadian Tire (it supports 4 or 5 Amps at 12V).

It sounds pretty good now but it would sound like crap without the sub..

Mike

I agree on the sound nice issue. There is no separation on the channels when the sound comes from a single point source. I am concerned less of that then I am about the frequency range and clarity of sound. Positioning is going to be given up for compactness of design.

With regard to position of sound though. How often do you sit in the optimal listening area of your home stereo to get the best sound? More often than not I use it for background music and am no where near the center focus of sound.