Maybe this is the winter you build something!


Hey it's me. Just reminding you to please consider building something this winter.  From a new power cable to speakers, maybe new acoustic panels you DIY or even speakers or a sweet preamp kit.

You'll have a lot of fun, and learn a ton.

It's weird to me that when I suggest Audiophiles might enjoy building stuff themselves I get flack.  "I don't like that! Stop promoting DIY! It will never be as good!"

Whatever. I think building is fun and educational. 

erik_squires

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