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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
sabai OP
2,027 posts
 
terry9,

I stick to making cables and creating various kinds of accessories (tweaks), some of which are based on the work of others, like my own version of HFTs, and some of which I have invented.
kavakat1
110 posts
 
And now, for something completely different. I am building an ultrasonic record cleaner, having been given a rotted out ultrasonic cleaner from my dentist when he got a new one. Took off the two 80hz transducer discs and glued them onto a rectangular metal  dish used in cafeterias to keep food warm as you walk along the Def serve line. Then the same controls from the old cleaner.  Will make the actual record holder and spinner as in the you tube videos for the project. About $70. Instead of $4000. 

terry9
2,348 posts
 
Kavakat, nice experiment.

Placing of transducers is an art, I’m told, so don’t be too discouraged if it doesn’t work well the first time. Another issue is power - you need 50W per record, according to the DIY Audio thread, which is also my experience. And something to heat the bath. I find that 40C is about right. At least to start with; actually I use 48 +/- 3, but I have a commercial unit with good temperature control. Also, an 80KHz transducer is the perfect choice, and absolutely requires an inch spacing between each record to let the US wave develop.

There’s a thread by Rushton here which can tell you quite a lot. Nice project.
sabai OP
2,027 posts
 
Here is a sound improvement idea that works very well for many people. Play a CD. Then place the same CD on top of a Schumann resonance device for 10 seconds before re-playing. You may be very happy with the effect.
maur53
7 posts
 
Perception is not always reality. 
Judge Judy quote " don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining".

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