My smallest DIY audio projects was replacing transformer in my vintage Marantz tuner couple years ago and 30 years ago I installed better stereo with acoustic in my car. The biggest home project was trimming 60ft tall trees at my backyard. I bought all necessary climbing and safety equipment which cost me around $300.. Tree Service estimates was $8K - $12K, so I decided it would be nice chance for good workout and saving at the same time:)
Forced to DIY
Sometimes we don't want to DIY things, but we are forced to.
After living in this house for 2 years I was finally ready to get a plumber to deal with the leaky kitchen faucet. Turns out all the plumbers in the area are backed up from January's cold snap which broke many pipes and put them behind. I literally can't get a plumber.
I may not be rich enough to buy D'Agostino or Boulder but I sure as hell can hire a plumber. If I could find one. So instead of hiring a plumber, and swiping my credit card I have to do it all myself. New strap wrench, 2 valve kits from Moen even if the faucet literally says Kohler on it, and an hour later I have a faucet that doesn't leak.
Right now my integrated is causing me some issues. I am honestly tired and I'd rather pay to fix it, but the effort to find a qualified tech and package and ship the amp is so much more work than I would need to fix it myself that yet again, I'm DIYing it.
Mind you in a lot of ways I like doing DIY projects, but the plumbing and this particulare issue are not really that.
How about you? Have you found yourself driven to DIY at home or in your stereo because the alternative was just not feasible?