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Interconnects, speaker cables and AC power cords are my favorites.

I am using 8 OTL mono blocks in my active 4-way allmost full DYI system—as well as four-way hand-made speakers, tube active x-over, and CD transport. All made by locals.

Sometimes you need something that simply isn't available. In my case, a way to change the ratio of sum to difference, i.e., stereo intensity. It is switched out when not needed.

Built my own suspension rack and I'm in the process of building cost-no-object speakers.

I have built both bass reflex and horn speakers, the horns I still have although modified. I am using interconnects which I made and replace the JPS I used previously, obviously saving hundreds of dollars and producing very neutral sound.

It gives me an inside knowledge in how audio works. Not to mention that there are alot of audio B.S out there for the unaware.

The majority of my system is DIY, and I've never looked back. My homebrew 300B SET amps have held their own against Carys, and mine cost 1/5th as much. All the cables in my system are DIY, and compare favorably to friends' Harmonic Tech and Kimber cables. I'm a DIY'er for life!

Your possible replies are incomplete (what else is new; doesn't anyone reflect a bit before doing these things?). The closest is number four yet I don't have a DIY component in my system. But I would not hesitate in including one if it were a quality component.

I would be interested in some high quality speaker cables...something like kimber kable

Totally enjoys building and enjoying my own components.

My dad built a Dynaco Stereo 70 amplifier, as well as a Heathkit preamplifier and a kit turntable. This system and his love of music are, without question, what have motivated my love of music and hi-fi. Were Stereophile to commit some of its editorial space to the review of such components, I would be very enthusiastic about the pursuit of purchasing and building such components.

It is a pleasure to own a well-constructed self-made (designed and built) system. There's no limit to what you can do if KNOWLEDGE, time and curiousness is aplenty. Quality? You can easily match ordinary considered high-end equipment

I have built a diy 300b valve amp for my system which sounds better than what i could have bought in the store for the same price.

I have a two box DIY cd transport

I've made some DIY cables and am happy with them. Next project is to make an AC filter/surge protector, designed by John Risch. To me, DIY provides an outlet for the creative process and is a real educational experience. Learning by doing is what it is all about. Saving money is nice, but that's not what DIY is really about. It's about getting your hands dirty and making something built to YOUR specifications, not a manufacturer's.

WHY BOTHERED ?

I build my speakers and my pre-amp(from a kit)this way spend more time having fun with my system.And you learn a lot of what is going on in there.

I have a DIY Lowther-based horn speaker, and more complex designs in the works. I also make interconnects. If you want a certain sound, DIY is the way to go if you have the skills. You will never find exactly what you want if you wait for manufacturers to make it.

I just figured that the Pre-built market existed because people were too 'comfortably stationary' to build their own. Why would you listen to a reproduction device calibrated by a machine when you could make your own sound so much better? Additionally, The killer component would have just the features you want, no more, no less. How long have each of you spent looking for this ilustrious item, only to end in a compromise?

DIY can attain the same performance of ready-made, if not exceed it. Some basic skills are required, but easily acquired.

I used to build kits, etc.However,improved manufacturing techniques and the resulting cost savings have offset any possible advantage to DIY.

You wont't belive before you try first. DIY can be compared with 2 times more expensive with major brands.

some stuff is just better and CHEAPER than the "high end" stuff.. if you have time to tweak.. speakers are #1 in kit forms..electronic crossovers are also a good deal.

I have always enjoyed modifying and tweaking my equipment(amps,preamps,speakers), I feel that you can enjoy a hobby more by taking a hands-on approch.There are many times when a modification like replacing or bypasing caps,or replacing resistors in circuits can have very enjoyable results. For me, just plunking down the money and bringing home the components is only half the fun. Getting what I term "intimate" with these components is the other half.

I love my system, but I have 10 thumbs.

Absolutely! How does one avoid it? I mean this is about 75% of the fun. My first DIY was a mono integrated tube amp in 1958. I built my current tube amp and tube phono section, mod

I have built many Nelson Pass designs and find that the results have been so good that I can't imagine buying too many ready-made components

The Speaker connections on the back of my Sony Amplifier were cheap spring loaded connectors. I removed them and replaced them with common electrical wire connectors. You know the ones with the plastic covered metal with a flat-head screw at each end, used to connect two pieces of wire together. They worked fine and only cost 99p for a strip of 8 connectors of which I only used 4. BEAT THAT!

Speaker cables Subwoofer enclosure amp stand Line conditioner Anti-static mat

I have assembled and upgraded a couple of Assemblage DACs