Vote

amp.sp

Infinitely more fun and more value than traditional right-wing manufactured components

My entire system's DIY, and (IMHO) it outdoes most commercial products, especially since I can custom-tailor each piece of equipment to my preferences.

Most of my system is DIY. It is the second best system I have ever heard, and the best system is over 50 times more expensive. :)

Diy can sound as good as or better than commercial products. DIY upgrade boards can make your commercial products sound twice a good. Without DIY doing all your research for you, half the commercial products would not be available!

Everyone has different aspects of the hobby they enjoy. I enjoy, like most, tweaking my system to get the best presentation possible. DIY affords you in some cases to determine whether a product is bunk or legitimate. DIY also lets you get that "Proud Papa Syndrome" when it works. The same is true of some one who takes the time and energy to research a purchase. Just different approaches to the same goal: Great Sound.

Had help building it from a techie friend but my tube 12AX7 LPS sounds great for around $450. Looks good, too, and I learned a lot. May try an amp or preamp next time.

In the past, I've built Heath and Dynaco. Most recently, I built the Madisound ODIN, a tremendous speaker and an unbelievable value.

Have built and/or modified everything with the exception of phono cartridges. It is the most cost effective way to improve one's system. AC power cords and device power supplies can make huge improvements (and to think, they are not "in" the signal path).

I've made interconnects, speaker cables, speaker stands, etc. I have also done DIY repairs to electronic components, but I have never attempted a more complicated DIY electronic design/build project; though, that would be fun.

I have never bought a speaker, always built them myself.

I would not have the time, skill or patience.

I made a DIY subwoofer with little audio engineering experience or woodworking experience. The only thing I did was read a speaker building book and use some free software to calculate the box volume and then order the driver and amplifier from online sources recommended by an email discussion group (Bass list). I thought the sound was OK. I then went to my local electronics store to listen to their subwoofers (JBL, Infinity, Velodyne, etc) and discovered to my surprise how much worse they sounded compared to my DIY. I don't understand it. It must be that the retail units use poor components and crappy box material with subpar craftsmanship. But how could they do it worse than I did and sell them for more?

Cost effective, fun and the results are great!

Sure and I'd be interested to know if Stereophile (or others?) offer reviews or comments on speaker kits. I've done DIY speakers long ago, with fair to poor results, therefore with any future attempts I would completely follow a (hopefully) proven design.

I have never had the urge to build my own audio component and add it to my system. I'd much rather build the component rack instead.

yes, cables, interconects, isolation,and power.

I once had a DIY amp. It was rather nice with the speakers I had then. Then I upgraded speakers and it ocurred to me that the amp was really rather awful.

speakers speaker cables interconnects cabinetry All work just fine.

My version of DIY is eBay. Scope what's available in good, older equipment and mix and match. When you're tired of it, you resell it for as much or more than you paid for it. Great way to mix, match and find the best combination of components.

Hello! Anyone remember Dynaco?

I have vague plans to build part of what will become a second system. Of course it will have to wait until the main system is totally sorted.

If anyone thinks DIY is a way of saving money, think again. You always want to use those $25.00 caps and $50.00 coils. What you do get is fantastic sound and the satisfaction of doing it yourself. Commercial products do have their advantages though. Can you say "remote"?

I am a great vinyl lover and I have actually built my first turntable from ground up. I still use it occasionally because of the specific sound it produces and sounds (at least to my ears) very good with some material (especially acoustic records and light pop). I have also built all of my interconnects and I would not change them for any commecially available interconnects.

Cables so far my only attempt, but I'm intrigued by Linkwitz's speaker designs...

DIY, while not always the best, does educate the DIY'er on what it takes to build a quality component. It gives one a deeper appreciation for the art of high fidelity.

Along the line that Sam Tellig says about tweaks, if they're cheap and reversable then feel free to amuse yourself. Personally, I've found my DIY CAT 5 speaker cables to easily better my far more expensive commercial cables.

If we stretch the definition of "DIY" to include kits, both stock and modified, I have quite a number of DIY components in my audio systems. One of my favorites combines a Dynaco PAT-4 chassis, an Audio by Van Alstine Omega II circuit set, and a thorough re-wiring of the PAT-4's switches to give the preamp the control flexibility I needed for a large system. That preamp, which looks like a bone-stock PAT-4 and sounds high-end, has wiped the condescending smiles off more than a few audiophile faces.

Yes, I have a DIY component, and I use it every day! Mine is not really cost effective, but does compete with the major brands!

For my money I want someone who builds equipment for a living to make my equipment because I am not an engineer by trade and can not afford all the R&D that goes into the best equipment for sound reproduction. It was fun when I was a Boy Scout and built my first transistor radio, but my attitude is let the pros do their job and I'll do mine.