The second life of a loved one boom box, or how to teach an old technique to play MP3
Do It Yourself Music / / December 19, 2019
Surely many readers Layfhakera still preserved old stereos, boom box tape and disc recorders and tape recorders. Do not rush to throw them away, as to equip them with support for MP3 is mere penny and takes very little time.
Who was not thought to build mp3-player in an old, but still a favorite Boombox or stereo? Do it - a kind of fun, because the installation of an ordinary player in the old audio equipment oh so easy. More convenient options for the modernization of the Chinese comrades offer. In many trading platforms can be found embedded audio modules equipped with joinable digital-analog converter, and sometimes miniature amplifier.
Devices of this kind can have different functions: starting from the simple decoder with a single USB-port for content source and ending with advanced models, is equipped with its own LCD-display, remote control and additional connectors. The most practical, cheap and yet full-featured version of this module with Aliexpress considered at mySKU.ru.
Specifications payment claim on playing MP3 up to 320 kbit / s at sample rates up to 48kHz, WAV, and even five-channel DTS. This option is not equipped with any additional interface, in addition to the analog audio output and a single USB-ports. It turns out a kind of mp3-player, who needs a power supply and speakers (more power and, in fact). That they will be used from the old audio device (a kind of second life, but, alas, the work of the board and music center only agreed separately).
After receiving parcels from distant China need to partially disassemble the animated tape to determine where it is possible to build in a fee. Installation must be done in such a way that you can use the remote control and dataport. With the appropriate skills, you can unsolder the components and put them on the wire - so it will be possible to place a card in a convenient location. Most often, these modules are put in the cassette compartment, next to the power button, or drives. You can find more interesting places.
Then take a coil of wire. It is needed in order to connect the power and audio output. This is the most complex operation. It needs some knowledge of circuitry and the circuit is an existing device, which can be downloaded on the Internet. If you are not strong in the circuitry, refer to the more savvy in this topic familiar to help you find the power pins, and which are soldered two wires. Be careful! Board consumes 5-12 VDC, max.
Reaching the wires to the installation site, zaymomsya placement fee. You may have to make a cutout in the body, which would require a Dremel or similar tool of another brand. V can be used as a very simple accommodations conventional cassette compartment, then the port will be available when you open it.
It remains a small detail - connect the audio output from the card to the output of the music center or a tape recorder. You can use the scheme, having found it on the output stage, and solder the wires from the audio output USB-card to them. You can do easier and bring them into the audio input AUX or similar (if, of course, it is available).
Now you need only connect the power supply to the motherboard with USB-output, and then insert the USB flash drive with the music and conduct the first test of a renewed boom box.
Of course, the complete design is very dependent on the functionality of the device and the Chinese will not be able to completely replace some modern hi-fi system with NFC, Wi-Fi, the ability to work with strimingovymi services and a variety of software features to improve sound. But, on the other hand, if all you need it?
At the time of writing unit cost about $ 5. Amplifier and speakers take for free. If the sound is suited initially, it will not change dramatically for the worse. So it's not a bad way to upgrade the audio system.