This thread seems to be, by far, the best resource for Namco Noirs on the internet, so I'm going to highjack it for my own queries if that's okay.
I will preface this by saying that I am a complete arcade novice, so apologies for the inevitable stupid questions. Feel free to facepalm at me.
Okay, so I've been planning to get a coin-op arcade cabinet I can stuff a PC into, and Namco Noir is by far my preference. My intention is to use various arcade emulators with a setup that actually demands coins for credits; I thought the RAP 4 Kai and PC/TV would satisfy the nostalgia itch, but just pushing a button from the couch to continue is really disappointing compared to the genuine experience.
I'd also like to hook up the Sinden Light Gun and a flight stick, and maybe trackball, and just have the cords wrapped around the back, so it can truly be a universal machine.
So, for clarification, if you good folks would help me out,
1. Is a JVS-PAC 2 all I would need to properly convert the Noir into an emulator? Does the wiring for the credit slot attach easily to this, or would something else be required?
2.A) Can the coin acceptor be made to accept quarters (do quarters even fit in the cabinet's coin slot?), and if not, would changing it with another coin accepter that is quarter-friendly be a fairly straightforward task?
B) As I don't actually have a problem using Yen instead of quarters, can anybody tell me where the hell I can actually find the kind of coins a Namco Noir coin acceptor will accept? Looking online all I've been able to find are gimmick novelty trinkets and not authentic currency. (I imagine I'd have been able to enjoy arcades more as a child if I had a wealth of cheap knock-off novelty quarters)
3. I've noticed 2 player cabs still have only 1 coin slot. Are credits just shared equally between players? Also, since I'll probably get a 1 player machine and purchase a two player panel separately, is the board set up to easily accept the wiring for twice as many buttons?
4. And speaking of board/wiring, and I realize this is a stupid question even while asking it, but just to be safe:
Would it be fairly easy to change out the buttons/lever for Seimitsu parts? I read somewhere that somebody couldn't fit the connectors through the hole the wires were fed through to reach the board. I don't NEED to replace the parts, but I'd really like to have the option, as much because I prefer Seimitsu as for the sake of being able to change out parts for different games.
5. Does the Sinden Light Gun work properly with the Noir's screen? Would there be any kind of issue with this intended setup?
6.And lastly (until more comes to mind anyway),
Where is the best place to buy one of these majestic beasts?
I saw somebody recommend KCarcade, but aside from the fact his thread advertising stock seems to have been closed, I've read disconcerting posts about questionable business practices (namely, there's no guarantee that what you get is even functional).
I saw somebody recommend Cereth for west coast, but I'm in PA. Anything better available?
All I've been able to find from google is shadaloo, which is twice as expensive BEFORE shipping, and the only review I could find said that their quality control is pretty shoddy.
I've been under a LOT of stress lately, and had a really bad run of bad luck, and a lot of bad experiences with online sellers, so I'd really like to just have an easy no-hassle transaction.
Any help is greatly appreciated.