[XCSSA] Audio equipment found at Goodwill

[X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio]

Over the past month I purchased a couple of pieces of audio equipment at Goodwill. Right now I can't get them to work because of various issues.

The first piece is called a Game Theater by Hercules. It has MIDI in/out, optical in/out (the reason I got it), analog in/out, four USB ports, line inputs, mic inputs, headphone output, and a 15-pin serial port input. Kinda nice.

What's the issue with this unit? Primarily power. There is no power input on the unit. You see, the thing is supposed to be connected to an audio card through a special 44-pin port. THAT'S where the power goes into the unit.

I've opened it up to look at the motherboard and see if I can trace things out. But I've had no luck. I also have a feeling that it is a dual voltage unit (+5VDC/+12VDC). Information on this unit is surprisingly scant. Maybe somebody out there has some info on this unit that can be of use.

The second unit I found is a Klipsch ProMedia DD-5.1 Multimedia Digital Decoder Preamplifier. This unit also has optical input as well as analog inputs.

What's the issue with this unit? Missing pieces. The first is the power supply. This was no big deal since I managed to acquire a power supply with the right voltage (+12VDC, 1 Amp) from GoodWill Computerworks. All I need to do is to swap out the plug (the one on the power supply is just a little too big).

The second missing piece is one that will take some effort: the remote control.

One of my biggest pet peeves of electronics design is that some manufacturers insist on putting ALL functions on an easy to lose/damage/destroy remote. And if you lose/damage/destroy said remote then your expensive box becomes a paperweight.

And that is what this unit currently is: a paperweight. The only button on it is the power button. Nothing more. All the functions, even the basic ones, are on the remote which, obviously, did not come with the unit. This also explains why the ProMedia was at a Goodwill for $4.

So why not contact Klipsch for a replacement. You can't. In another brilliant move by them they no longer make the ProMedia unit. And they also no longer make the remote to go with it. Which means that if you lose/damage/destroy the remote you are SOL. I am trying to see if I can find a replace remote without going through FleaBay or CrapList.

I will also try to bring the units with me to the next meeting (assuming my damn job will stay out of the way) so you guys can have a look at them.

--Robert Allen Rusk (RARusk)

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