The return of the DIYer

Acoustic is the sleeping princess and all the pieces of gear are the 7 working dwarves...
Good catch! :)
So who is the prince in this scenario who forced his affections on a ruffied unwilling victim. 
"your favorite snake oil dealer" goes here.

The "prince" is you when you realized the sleeping power of acoustic lying like a sleeping princess in your  unwatched and untreated and uncontrolled room...

😁😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

My best to you....

1: There’s diy’ers with good electronic engineering knowledge

2: Then there’s diy’er’s that listen to to them and what they have to offer and do it.

3: Then there’s diy’ers that are shillers for the "snake oil companies" that never seem to post themselves.

4: Then there’s the gullible diy’ers that have no idea, and follow the snake oil shillers, because what the snake oil companies offer, is usually very easy for the gullible to do. (but expensive for the component) 

Cheers George

I've been modifying some of my equipment from my entry into high end audio in late 80's. early 90's. From the first time I opened up a component I was curious about what all those parts did and how they made up a complete circuit. Started with simple projects like removing captured power cords for IEC outlets, grew into more complex mods as knowledge increased.


Allied with inherent curiosity, I came to realize my systems were totally unique in the world and required a self chosen path to attain sound qualities I desired, in some cases, this meant mods to existing equipment. Reviews of equipment are of only limited use for me, all my associated variables versus the reviewers make this so. I'd rather mod my existing equipment vs. equipment churning.

And so, along with the pleasure of attaining specific sound quality goals, there is also the satisfaction in the very process of analyzing and effecting component modifications resulting in the fulfillment of these goals. Choosing the parts, getting them to fit, soldering, as well as keeping sound journals that document each and every modification, and inform future mods can all be entirely satisfying in itself.
I always remain mindful that all my efforts are in service to the music. While there is great satisfaction in reaching SQ goals, getting closer to the music and performance is the real payoff.
I doubt the DIY crowd will ever be more than a small minority of any group. Time required for such a pursuit is likely too great an obstacle for many, and off the shelf products provide enough satisfaction.

I can’t believe people don’t know that line from Belushi’s great inspirational speech in Animal House.
The pundits have been predicting the death of "high end" for decades but somehow, the top tier (often flavor of the month) keeps getting more expensive.
Classic old pieces command some serious coin too.
So, I agree it makes sense to go back to the roots.
I’ve been doing some reading- need to do some listening-- to the immediate post WE era-- I guess early Altec, Jensen, etc. Some of those old horn systems seem appealing- I want to hear a few (I’m trying to find the right balance between wattage needs given the modest output of my Lamm ML2s and the cost of assembling a horn system that does not run into crazy money).
I’ve never been a great soldering hand- yeah, I built a few Dynakits when I was young but I’ve relied pretty much entirely on commercially available gear.
My main system is probably the best sounding it has ever been-- based on components I put together starting in 2006-7.
I’ve spent enough time around this hobby to not be awed by the dollars spent, but I do enjoy the beauty of well made gear from whatever era. Whether it sounds good to your ears is another matter.
I think even before Harry Pearson died, and the Stereophile morphed again (was it resold- I haven’t really followed its more recent publication history), the notion of touting aspirational gear was losing its appeal. Ditto, the notion that there was only one way to achieve sonic nirvana. (How many of us still have all those Harry’s List records in our collection?)
Many people liked Art Dudley, apart from seeming like a pleasant guy and a good writer, he did like older gear and found bargains (relative) in historic pieces.
I think each of us follow a different path. If you have the skills to build from parts (I’ve hired cabinet makers to build, ahem, cabinets), why not?