Amplifying sound card output?

[Guanton75]

This sounds like a simple problem but I am trying to find a more integrated solution then just a set of powered speakers. I design mobile robots and space is limited so have a set of powered speakers just wont work. I'm looking for a solution that is either a free standing circuit board or a separate module then the speakers. it would be acceptable if it were something that needed to be integrated on to an existing circuit board however I'm trying to avoid the time of designing and building an amplifier. The amplification does not need to be much, simply to go from the signal level of the sound card to a roughly 20 watt speaker. I have a similar need for the mic input as well if you feel you might have something to offer.

Thanks for your time,
Seth

http://www.activrobots.com

 

[Guanton75]

I'd like to reiterate that I'm NOT looking to use existing computer powered speakers due to space limitations. I am looking for a source of prefab amplifiers, not the kid next door. I'd sooner use the 2 electrical engineers I share office space with if we must design our own.

-G

 

[etarhan]

Have you looked around? In most shops that sell electronic gadgets, you must be able to find ready-to-install amplifier modules from 0.1 watt to hundreds of watts. One of them is sure to fulfill your need in terms of size, power, quality, etc.

 

[roboy]

You can "roll your own" by connecting input to center terminal of 100k pot throught 1uF cap. Connect outside terminals to pins 2&3 of LM386 chip, then connect pins 1&8 together through 10uF cap. Pin 6 goes to base of high gain NPN transistor, emitter to +V, collector to ground through speaker. Connect +5-12V to LM386. You may need to add 10k resistor to input if input voltage is not from microchip.