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Any DIYer s out there ?

I know from reading some of the posts that there are other "DIYer's" out there. For those that don't know what "DIY" means, it is an acronym for "Do It Yourself". I'm particularly interested in knowing what you folks have built or modified. You can go into as much or little detail as you like. Since i started the thread, i'll do the first post.

I started off by trying several different "homebrew" speaker cables. From there, i went into building interconnects and then power cords. Somewhere along the way, things got more serious and i began to tear into existing designs and "make them better". I've modified a couple dozen sets of speakers, built and desiged speakers from scratch, modified amps and am even building one from "accumulated parts". I've also built sound absorption panels and bass traps courtesy of Jon Risch's website.

I've continued doing this as i find great pleasure in knowing that i helped contribute to the enjoyment of both my system and several others in a "special" way other than just by assembling the various components. It also keeps me out of trouble and minimizes cash outlay for "manufactured" goodies. After all, what one can buy for $1 can be made for $0.25 to $0.60 and be done MUCH better.

Anybody else like doing this kind of stuff ? Don't be shy or modest. Tinkerer's are welcome and PLEASE, go in to detail about your favorite "projects". Sean
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sean
comchenry's avatar
comchenry
43 posts
 
I have become a first time DIY'er without intending to do so. I bought a pair of Apogee Stages because the price was right and I have always been intriuged by what people said about them. LOVED the sound immediately but thougth it had some shortcomings as well. The good folks at the Apogee web site suggested crossover component upgrade and the descriptions of the improvements were compelling. I went the Northcreek route and replaced the stock ASC caps with Northcreek caps in a bypass arrangement. I am happy to report that the across the board improvments were WAY beyond what I had expected . . .wider, deeper, blacker background, smoother yet dynamic and detailed. It was a shocker to me. I expected a tweak and got a major component upgrade. Well, naturally I am taking it to the next (and pricier level). I have ordered 8ga inductors with some of the lowest DCR values around and plan to construct an external crossover board to house these larger and better components. If it gets much better than it is now, I will need to purchase incontinence pads.
dekay's avatar
dekay
2,959 posts
 
Comchenry: Keep it up. The pads are a drop in the bucket.
grungle
54 posts
 
Okay, so let's say I have a soldering iron, no training and some enthusiasm, what would you guys say is a good sort of tweak to start with for a digital source/integrated amp/2 way speaker system? Whatever has an appreciable return but doesn't have much risk for irreparable damage. Bonus points if the parts are available from the local rat shack (I hate waiting for packages) but I'd rather do it right. I was thinking of trying some DIY ICs since I work at a cable station and have access to plenty of coax, they just don't seem to have any of the particular Belden types I've seen mentioned for this.
I'm all for non-electronic tweaks to, and I have much more experience building things, but it's just not the same as messing with the signal path.
dekay's avatar
dekay
2,959 posts
 
Grungle: Buried somewhere at Audioasylum are posts on a DIY noise reduction device that plugs into any electical outlet (kind of the same principal as the Blue Circle thing I think). Boy, I hope that Kublakhann does not read this post and get any ideas of making one.
gregm
3,021 posts
 
Grungle: try a making a fancy PC out of good quality rat-shack cord. Get a strip of SSTP or similar wire (with multiple foil and mesh shielding). Given the wire diametre, get +1,0" diam outer tubing (ptfe, if you can find it. If not, whatever "good quality" is available), and 1/2 the length strip of of heat shrink that can fit snugly over the tubing. Strip the plastic dielectric from the wire. Expose the conductors, @~1" folding back the insulation matls (foil, mesh). Thread the wire into the outer tube. Seal on one end with a strip of shrink-wrap so the actual wire is in the middle of the tube.
Now to the tricky part:
Fill the inside of the tube and around the wire with tiny lead shot. Fill tightly, but keep in mind that the end result could do with flexibility (unless that's not an issue for you). Seal the other end with shrink wrap. Double seal both ends with tape or use extra shrink-wrap. If you find outer dielectric mesh (expensive!), use that over the tubing. Now connect conductors to IEC & 3pin. IMPORTANT: ENSURE CONNECTIONS ARE CORRECT ON EITHER SIDE (phase-to-phase, ditto neutral & ground)!

Voila, you've got a mechanically isolated and impressively thick-looking PC. You could be susprised with the sound, too!

Cheers!
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