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A Big DIY Bang for Your Buck?

I believe in getting the biggest bang out of my audio buck that I can. I don't know about you but my audio budget is actually limited. I find it interesting when I hear about folks spending a zillion on the best magnetic cables and then someone comes along with some new cable technology like new liquid-infused cables that equal or best the magnetic cables at a fraction of the price. Some makers of magnetic and other cables may want you to believe that a patent pending means there must be something there that ordinary Joe Audio could never make himself. My experience leads me to say -- don't believe it.

I have been using neodymium magnets for years in my cables and around my system to improve SQ -- at a fraction of the cost that makers of magnet-containing products charge. OK, mine may not be at the very top of the performance chain when compared to those expensive products, but who cares? I have managed to get stunning returns for a pittance. It would have cost thousands, or tens of thousands, to obtain similar results from various makers.

The same applies to audio makers with a patent pending (or an actual patent) who market little aluminum audio resonators the size of pimples. I make my own resonator pimples for about a buck apiece -- with stunning results. I saved over $4,000 making 70 of my own. Maybe they are not at the very top of the performance chain compared to those expensive products, but who cares? I am very happy with results that are far beyond what I expected when I started out.

I am having a lot of fun doing DIY projects at home that reap wonderful results at a small fraction of the cost charged by audio makers for their similar products. Have others had similar experiences making their own audio products at home? Can you share your DIY experiences with us?
sabai
toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
838 posts
 
@sabai the magnets I'm using came from an old laptop that we cannibalised for parts. They've been sitting in a drawer for 4 years. This is a much better use! So there's no 'store' to ask. Walmart didn't have any neodymium magnets.. So I dug through my kids' geomag building toys (plastic rods with neodymium magnets on the ends and ball bearings to use as connectors) and found 4 little neodymium cylinder magnets that fell out of the plastic housing. I put them on my RCA connectors between the pre and amps, on both ends this time. 

I'll have to order some online for the breaker panel. But I'm skiing next week, so it'll be a while before I report back...
czarivey
4,494 posts
 
Had one recently and can't get more excited!
Restored Mac 1900 receiver -- GIANT KILLER
Purchased one at craigslist $180. After diagnosing unit at home of the craigslist seller, I talked down price from asked $400, because I spotted weak Left channel had lack of bass in both mode with or without loudness. One output transistor found weak with trivial diode test, but replaced all transistors to have them all same brand. Certainly checked proper voltages across driving transistors to make sure that they operate properly. Also sound-tested signal output out of driving transistors with specially modified headphones for signal tracing. After final assembling of transistors, I was still checking if they run too hot and after 3 hours of continuous playback I was able to touch transistors with bare fingers safe... Jumping onto this discussion back and wrote post of my own as well just because I'm super-excited that I did NOT resell it and still enjoying it so much! This receiver gives you nearly EVERYTHING for relatively small to medium room including clarity, precision, instrument separation and superb imaging.
toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
838 posts
 
@czarivey your post made no sense until I looked at the title of the thread. Ha! DIY indeed. Well done and enjoy!
sabai OP
2,027 posts
 
toddverrone,

Thanks for letting me know.

czarivey,

Congratulations!
halvis
3 posts
 
Best bang for your buck in audio?
1. A better than decent preamp.
2. A better then decent amp.
3. A better than decent cartridge, tonearm, turntable.
4. QUALITY SPEAKERS. No other piece or component can make up for less than decent motors.
5. DECENT interconnects and speaker cables. NO, I am not talking about those uber expensive crazy cables, just what is better than the usual $9.99 crap. Hell, you can construct decent stuff if you are handy with a soldering iron that smokes more than half what you can buy for 10 times as many $'s. jmho.
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