adaptable1
The Buttkicker Mini LFE is only a transducer that does not come with an amp (you'll need to buy a 4 ohm amp separately). You use 2 sound cards (or more) with a Simvibe setup. One dedicated to driving the transducer signals depending on if you are doing only chassis or extension mode...another sound card if you are doing both. Then you need a sound card for your normal sound output. For just sound and ONE Buttkicker you need TWO sound cards. If your graphics card can output sound (via HDMI to a home theater receiver), you may be able to have your normal sound out of it.
You can save some money by going for Aura transducers which only need 4 ohm amps or Dayton transducers (8 or 16 ohm) which can be powered safely by an inexpensive consumer grade amp. The Auras feel as strong as a Buttkicker according to other users but require a more expensive 4ohm amp. The Dayton are weaker and need to be positioned so they vibrate on something that comes in contact with your body to feel texture vibration and light to moderate bumps. Simvibe recommends a semi-pro amp like the Behringer Europower or Pyle 8-channel Amp
The Buttkicker Gamer 2 may have some niggly interface flaws, but it comes with everything you need to work out of the box, and is probably the least hassle ways to get strong, impact reproducing rumble without sacrificing the longevity of a consumer grade amp. I'm using a consumer grade amp for my Dayton pucks and the BKG2 for my strong stuff (under the racing seat). All together I've spent about $500 on the whole setup (yikes!), although I did have that Panasonic Receiver gathering dust in my closet that I was able to re-purpose, without it, I've really spent about $300 out of pocket within the last few months to get "rumble".
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) and I use my RPM vibration to raise the BKG Amplifier until I feel the good vibes (which match when my red clip led start to blink really slightly), and know all others SimVibe settings will follow the way I choose (without the red clip light, or really light). Now, if I raise the Amplifier to the usual level feeling RPM vibration, when I start driving all others settings goes too strong (change gear, suspension, winds, etc.). It look like the intensity of the RPM vibration suddenly have been lowered, which is not the case when I go in the Control Center. So this morning I had to raise a lot the RPM Intensity slider to get the same equilibrium I had few days ago.