Most Tedius Part of Audiodom Setup/Tweak/DIY ?

Taking apart and re-assembling in another spot is certainly the most tedious (I'm doing this as we speak) process I can think of. Narrowing it down to a single item, I would have to say re-'tweaking' the rack and levelling each shelf one by one is a mind-numbing task. Although, setting up a cartridge may take top honors and at least runs a close 2nd.

Most tedious: had to be building my own amps from scratch. Tweaking the design seems to never end, & even when you do eventually finish, you know in the back of your mind that it could still be better. I only stopped because I was so tired of messing with it - & after the second generation design it was getting really frustrating, less & less fun. Gives you some idea of what the designers have to struggle with.
Most memorably difficult was building my first speakers, again from scratch. I am not good with woodcutting, but they came out what I thought was wonderful (well for me it was). Those heavy 15" 3way monster cabinets served for many years & were upgraded several times before I bought my first & only pair of *real* speakers which were really so much better I just couldn't believe it. But considering that initially I had more time than money, it was all worthwhile & certainly hooked me into this hobby very permanently.
So Dave, what are some of your own exploits in this regard? Sounds like you've had some experiences of your own?

Speaker placement & equipment support. As I'm not a builder unlike Bob above, tuning the equip through supports has always been the worst. Move a cone and the sound shifts, add mass, and there it goes again. Not better or worse, just different. Then move the speakers to adjust to the new tuning, then back again... ad nauseam. Add to that my laziness in such matters, and the result is mega tedium.

During such (rare nowadays) tweaking sessions I usually just give up half way and listen to the music...!

Cheers!

I agree that disassembling/reassembling a system to move it to another room or another location in the room, or to put it all on a new rack is the WORST. Somehow I always end up w/bruised fingers from slamming my hand into the wall unplugging tight interconnects from a too-tight space, plus the lower back ache that lasts for a couple of days! The worst experience in audio I have had to date was moving into my townhouse. I had to disassemble and pack up 3 systems, 3000 CDs, 1000 LPs, and 250 LDs and DVDs. Plus two TVs. I swear I will never move again. I am here for life.

Hi, guys,

thanks for responding.

Garfish: yes, speaker location IS very important and CAN be very time consuming. In my studio apartment, there is a side wall next to the left speaker but none on the right side. Also, behind the speakers is a wall-width blinder, which is always only half-closed. One result of this "elephant man" of an acoustic space is that the voice is always shifted to far right. I had to spend many days fiddling with 70 lbs.-per-side speakers before I started getting a centered voice. Until I got it right, I thought it would never happen. Talk about a dark tunnel.

Centurymantra: I know about tearing a system down and setting it up at a new spot. No one could PAY ME to do it. It's the PASSION ALONE that makes me do it. Your setup seems to require quite a bit more work than mine, though, since I don't really have an audiophile rack, although I do have amp stands.

Bob bundus: Right now, I'm on the verge of tweakazoid/DIY border. I would like to take it slow with DIY. I'm currently trying out different vintage fullrange single-drivers--the ones with high efficiency for mating with SET's. For their cabinets, I'm looking feverishly on Ebay for the suitable plug-n-play (also vintage) cabinets that are reasonably placed. This is the reason I only buy round drivers with standard diameters (8" or 12") and not oval or 10" drivers.

Thank you,

David