Maybe this is the winter you build something!

I'll build an Audio rack using quarter sawn red oak I have drying. Furutech Power cables and interconnects (Double Helix) for sure and acoustic treatments. Diy is a lot of fun, might not happen in winter. 

I don't get much more time in the winter than the summer.  Unfortunately, I've got more projects than I have time.  Always building things.  good post.

I'm in final leg of building/assembling new music streamer based on atx motherboard along with first and only linear power supply for these motherboards. Euphony operating system with options of using  Euphony Stylus, Roon and HQPlayer music players. Tonight first listening!

So, technically not winter project, but this has been plenty enough work, many months of planning , researching and configuring everything to work together!

Already have equipment for next project, enterprise grade managed router/switch with plans for LPS to power, this will bridge over to wifi router. Duelund CAST PIO tinned copper to replace Audyn True Copper Max in crossover will be another winter project.

Building or creating is just a part of who I am, just as some kinds of math or computers/technology will never be. The trick here is to become proficient enough to please not only yourself but your customers.

 The idea that DIY cannot ever be as good as commercial is almost backwards in my experience. DIY was due to many letdowns from the commercial offerings. Or, the commercial offerings were way expensive. Then there is location. little house on the prairie isn't going to offer the same as being in some cities.

 Right at this moment, the glue is drying on a pair of speaker cabinets that I am building for a customer. Must be ok, as this is his second set of them.  In this case, the first set sounded by a margin the best speakers that I have ever heard. This is rare for me, since I have built many speakers over the years. Some were great, some were crap IMO. But the good news is that in building, you are the one who chooses the wood for the 1 1/2" thick baffle. Not MDF, not something else. To be clear, I am still replicating a design from renown engineers. Not some brainless kit, or something that you thought would be cool. Been there.  Everybody has their specialty. 

 So, yes, this fall and winter, I will be in my shop as long as I can, enjoying most of it. When the weather dictates, I will move to the little electronics shop in the basement and do different projects like preamps, maybe even a power amp or two.

I’m building an appreciation for music…day by day

I built a rack unit out of threaded rod and walnut butcher block over Covid 19 shutdown and it came out awesome. Better quality than what you find in any retail store. No it wasn’t a winter project, but still gives you the satisfaction every time you look at your stereo components residing on solid, no vibration, no sway shelving.

I've built a subwoofer swarm of late using 10'' drivers, two of them are shaped like B&W's cabinet's with curved sides and back, sloped and curved top. The other two are simply rectangular boxes all covered with walnut veneer. I also upgraded my cyclone dust collector and bought into the festool platform. Remember, tools are relatively inexpensive compared to audio. I also live in the south and discovered Formoson termites in my shop walls and have been rebuilding it. Do not take them for granted my friends. 

I love building my own stuff. I build my racks from butcher block and black steel pipe. I built my cd and vinyl cabinets from the same butcher block with feet from black iron pipe. I built all of my power cables from Furutech components. The wife gets antsy if I order more butcher block because the fears I am going to buy another piece of audio kit....!

I overhauled a pair of AR-2ax’s. Originally for nostalgic reasons (mine from college days were stolen), were going to go in the garage/shop system.

They sound awesome, and happily fit on/in a bookcase 11.5 x 13.5 x 24. I had forgotten they have level controls for the mid and for the tweeter, so it is easy to refine their sound in your specific space. It’s quite unusual to have a 12" woofer in a 3 way true bookcase speaker. I moved them to my Office, best sound ever here.

Point is, so darn good, I ordered a 2nd pair to overhaul for the garage/shop system.. Parts on hand, will do the job when my back injury is dealt with.

All needed parts are available on eBay, I highly recommend them as a project, in my case buy/ship/parts totaled $750 each pair.

click the big logo on the left below

Here is a full kit ready to complete in Maryland (too far from me). Seller will drive and meet you half way if you are reasonably close. Still too far from me.

I'm planning an ANK L5 Mentor line stage to go along with my 4.1x DAC.

I also need to finish a pair of VTA M125 monos and Four Pi speakers.

Right now I'm too busy watching football and camping/boating/fishing.

ANK L5 Mentor Line Stage

I have never seen a triple C core transformer before. The ANK Mentor looks to be a heavy-duty unit. How long did it take to complete it?

It is good to see all these responses. Gives me hope that we can still do it ourselves with excellent results. I know, some folks are better off just buying preassembled gear. I get it. It also wouldn't be wise for me to try and paint a picture either.🌩

I am going to rebuild the engine in my son's 72 Barracuda 440. She has lost some zing so it is time to go through her. Be a nice 2 month project. Great bonding time. 

Ill build a new house dude!!

juanmanuelfangioii

I used to take the owner's Chrysler Imperial to pick up donuts for break time at Vermont Mattress Company, Burlington, VT. 440 with push button shifters on the dash board.

Incredible. "Who want's to go for donuts"? Me, Me, Me

@elliottbnewcombjr nothing like a big block. Love it when he comes home for us to work on his pride and joy. This has the pistol grip 4 speed. Just that hideous lime green has got to go. 
 

Great memories eh. 

Promoting DIY is great, but please try to understand that some people (me being one of them!) just do not like DIY/building things and that does not make us wrong, just different. What's right for one person is not necessarily right for everybody.

larsman,

 Understood, as I mentioned in my last post. Again, I have certain limitations such as being able to paint a decent picture. My brother, however, is unbelievably gifted, but don't ever ask him to frame the pictures that he paints, that would be my part of the job.

Promoting DIY is great, but please try to understand that some people (me being one of them!) just do not like DIY/building things and that does not make us wrong, just different. What's right for one person is not necessarily right for everybody.

I've never not understood this. I just want MORE audiophiles to build, but that doesn't mean EVERY audiophile should build.  The only time I take a really strong opinion on this is to those who think NO audiophile should build. 

The more builders, the more knowledge, and the more fun I think. :)

OK, I take it back a little. I do wish every audiophile would build at least 1 thing in their lifetime. :) I think it would be cool.  Like, trying shrimp at least once. :)

Erik, I love the encouragement and enthusiasm.  So I've done the things I'm comfortable with or need.  Equipment rack furniture, speaker cables and ICs.  But I could be nudged to go outside my comfort zone for an electronic piece.  Don't need it but would be fun.  Could give it to my son.  A few questions.  My soldering skills have only been KLE RCA connectors thus far.  Should I be more skilled first?  Second, what are some good-sounding tube amp kits and what are price-points (if you know)? 

@akgwhiz 

This depends.  There are like $30 kits on Amazon that provide high fun / dollar, For something more advanced, look around for Elekit kits.

It's weird to me that when I suggest Audiophiles might enjoy building stuff themselves I get flack.

Nigel. Have you not learned your lesson after those SNR1 that you did a few years ago? Why dont you be honest and tell us what the outcome of that was?

Did you ever get them to sound good or did you give up?

Groundbreaking, absolutely stunning perspective which could revolutionize our lives, @kenjit.  Why don't you take whatever point you are trying to make, if any, and start a brand new thread on it? I'm sure you'll get plenty of support that way.

Having fun now.

Thanks, Eric, for the topic. Been there. Done (and, still doing) that.

I’d like to mention that there are varous levels of engagement for DIYr’s. Not everybody has access to a woodshop, or the finese to navigate their way around component level architecture. While making something from a stack of wood or zip lock bags full of parts may be the most rewarding (emotionally and sonically) available kits do offer a "doable" option where the heavy lifting has already been done by others. Yes, Eric, some of them take a (much) different approach than I would, but generally speaking do produce a good result overall.

@elliottbnewcombjr Thanks for bringing up the topic of improving the performance of existing gear. I think it is important to bring this up. "Newer thinking" applied to older designs can produce ... modern sounding gear while maintaining the esthetics (and emotional attachment) to older gear. The equipment doesn’t have to be part of your reference system. Just stuff you care about and enjoy spending quality time with. We recently upgraded a pair of Bose 201s that are being used as outdoor background music in a boat house (under a canopy). After a throrough cleaning (including removal of hornet’s nests) and installing "good stuff" on the inside, they are far more musical and easier to listen to for long periods of time. $50 worth of parts and a soldering gun in your hand can make a big difference.

The point here is that ANY engagement at ANY level on ANY equipment can be fun, and rewarding.

@erik_squires - Does baking cannabis brownies count?? 😆 That's MY kinda DIY! 

@larsman 

We are going to have to draw the line somewhere or before you know it this thread will be filled with home brewers, exotic bread bakers and arguments about tomato sandwiches.

Does an Igloo count after some of @larsmans brownies and a couple of hot rum toddies...the temp is there, just need more snow than usual.....

You all are weird dudes.

@tim_p, as someone who lives in Alaska, you and @larsman aren't too far off from that reality.  She's a long cold one here, ol' winter.  

I love DIY! I find it so satisfying to research, plan, ponder, and work until the final product matches my vision (OK, acquiring new tools is really fun too). My 2020-2022 pandemic project was a custom walnut plinth for a Linn LP-12 turntable. Right now I'm working on building a walnut record cabinet. My winter project is expected to be a tube amp kit. I don't think there has ever been a point in my life where I haven't had some DIY project underway.

@akgwhiz - and I live in San Francisco, where during the summer months, it's usually colder than Alaska during that period! 

Projects pretty much a constant in my home too. It's just that some are home related, or property related, and a few in between are audio. When I saw rot in the windows corner in my shop, I knew that there would be more than it looked to be. No surprise, and I was remaking only part of the sill and trying to make it blend in. No real instructions there, and don't say Utube either. Most of it is crap. Common sense and experience work as well as anything.

@larsman , *mmm* Choice of 'additions' need consideration....esp. around 'power tools'.... ;)

@erik_squires ...hasn't stopped me yet, the ongoing is only possible in that fashion. *G*  Running out time to apply self to such is the annoying part, tho'...

@waytoomuchstuff , I've the misfortune of knowing enough of too much to take a run at it.  Lucky enough most times; but then there are those things that are so screwed up you know that you'll only improve the damage....*L* 

After almost 40 years of not doing any DIY (used to build stuff in college), I decided to build a pair of speakers (just before Covid hit). I got a lot of satisfaction from it and it rekindled my interest in doing more. Since then, I've built a stereo amp, four pairs of monoblock amps, two preamps with another almost complete, a pair of subwoofers, and another pair of speakers. 

Check out my  Virtual System for some photos. 

It's very rewarding to build something and have it perform as well or better than expected. This hasn't always been the case and some have required some redesign to get there, but each has been a step up from the previous build. 

My winter projects will include completing my new preamp (balanced 6SN7 design with custom Arduino code to control input selection, relay stepped attenuator, remote control, etc.), and building a new pair of speakers.

@asvjerry As one industry guru said back in my early days of doing home automation: "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should."

@waytoomuchstuff , yes sir, there are places and things I know enough of Not to get involved with...

One can 'crackle-finish' the surface of wood with a microwave transformer.

I'll mess with neon (high volts, low amps) but microwave units are the reverse...from what I understand, which IS enough.

That, and fooling around with one sans the Faraday cage is just plain stupid.

(But it is amazing how long a cockroach can stand exposure in one....)

I have a pair of 80 watt Conn organ tube amps I'm going to be rebuilding this winter.  I also have a tube preamp I built around 20 years ago I might try and get up and running again if I can get the Conns done.

I’m just starting out with DIY. Decided to make some balanced interconnects.

Great way to learn/practice soldering! Fun and satisfying too!

Also saved a lot percentage wise vs buying new.

A bit early for Winter. 

Great thread @erik_squires!

I'll be building something truly fun... just received the Hashimoto output transformer in the mail for it. :)

A little mono amplifier with built in phono stage. Shortest signal path possible, as little amplification as absolutely needed, no volume control, and single 71A output tube for glorious 0.7W output for late night listening of mono records.

With full EQ control, both turnover and cut in fine steps....

Can't wait to get started on it, but it will probably drag out well into the winter without any quality time available to build..

A raft so I can escape.

@wolf_garcia ....There is no escape, only higher ground where you can put up the good fight.... ;)

"You'll never take me alive!"

It seems it's quite happy to take us 'not so much'..... 😏

Building is indeed fun. I’ve made my own power cables, IC’s and speaker cables that I’m now currently using, and have for some time now. My subs are DIY, though I had a pro cabinet maker assembling them for me, and he again had the 13-ply panels CNC cut from another party. The physical DIY part for me here only involved mounting the woofers and cables, but the "real" DIY aspect was the research and eventually honing in on the specific tapped horn design, its tune and proper driver complementation. That took me over a year. My music server is DIY as well (it’s relatively basic, really, and could be tweaked A LOT more to even sweeter sonics, but that’s to be done down the road), and though it may not be classified as DIY per se setting the filter values in the digital cross-over/DSP of my actively configured setup was quite hairy in the beginning and was (still is) very much a learning exercise. It’s hugely rewarding though, and not having the physical components like caps, coils and resistors of passive XO’s makes the tweaking process with a DSP quite easy. You can do several presets with different settings and compare them on the fly from the listening position until landing on the preferred preset. Some 25 years ago I build me (from a kit) a 42W class A power amplifier, and used it for over 10 years. Lovely amp, and at ~$1,000 at the time it was a steal. My very first pair of speakers, the Coral Flat 8 widebanders, were DIY as well. For under $100/pair in the early 80’s those had me smiling to music. 

Winter will be a busy one.

I have 3 Lencos Im going to be building heavy plinths for that involve a rather elaborate damping system an some significant mods to the TT’s.

Was just given an Ariston RD11S that I’m going to restore for fun.

Have all the parts and schematic for a single ended EL34 amp that I will be building, along with a 12AU7 preamp that I have most of the parts for as well as a schematic. Picked up a Push Pull EL34 power amp from an organ that I will be reimagining.

Built a Hiraga 30 Watt Super class A amp that needs some repair after the output transistors went “poof” on me.

And, I have 3 pairs of speakers I will be building. All three are in prototype enclosures for the time being as I’m fine tuning the crossovers and damping.

I’m ready for the winter months :)

 I have not yet, built a plinth for a TT, though it is enticing. Would need an accurate template, and since I lack a CNC machine, a router would likely be doing a lot of the work, at least down to an inch deep.

Love building stuff:

Transcendent Sound , 

Bottlehead,

Vacuum Tube Audio

Re-capping Yamaha NS 1000M

Volti upgrades for ‘70’s vintage corner horns

Never gets old

Did home brew beer for awhile

Still reload ammo

what got me started was promise of decreased cost- that was a lie

What’s kept my interest is the quality control-

Same as audio

Enjoy!