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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
 
geoffkait

Yes -- and even hobbies are not exempt from the need for respect.
2channel8
758 posts
 
Can we quit the nattering and get back to some useful suggestions? Please?
I made my first power cord. I believe physics would dictate that a cord cannot improve the quality of the electricity fed into it; but can degrade it. So I made a power cord out of the same 12/2 romex I used to wire my house. It’s stiff but works as long as I don’t move my amp before unplugging it. I don’t notice any improvement, so I guess the Rotel stock 16 AWG cord is pretty good. I will say I probably selected the wrong IEC connector. The IEC LOCK+ is unreliable in terms of making a connection and does not lock at all on most components.

https://www.amazon.com/Rewireable-IEC320-C13-Accidental-Unplugging-Disconnections/dp/B01DCFVXKK/ref=...

I need another suggestion. I'm restless for improvement; but CHEAP. No real complaints about my current SQ, but I wonder how good it can get. (or how good my hearing is.)

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Sabai, you were the one who brought up the subject of temperature and sound with your link earlier. Maybe you didn’t read your own link, who knows? That’s why I posted on the water bowls when I did. I was only trying to help you out. Don’t be such a big baby. Save the drama for yo mama.

sabai OP
2,027 posts
 
geoffkait,

Perhaps you did not read my links and my comments carefully enough. There is much that is still unknown about electromagnetic fields and photons. Empirically, the bottom line is the fact that magnets can greatly improve the sound.

Frankly, if I were an audio manufacturer posting to Audiogon I would be more careful about being glib and disrespectful so as not to turn off prospective customers -- trying to attract whom is presumably one of the reasons audio manufacturers post to the forum and why, presumably, some audio manufacturers try to demonstrate their knowledge -- while not forgetting to mention their products frequently.

2channel8,

Connectors can be as important as the wire. I use top Furutech wire and connectors for my DIY power cords and other wires. I have tried connectors from many companies and I find Furutech is far above all others in my system.
herman
2,273 posts
 
Sabai, we have both been lured into yet another convoluted thread where geoff alternates his position . He has stated  that magnets do not affect the signal

When magnets are used around the room, on chassis, on walls, on wood shelves, on mirrors, on glass, they have no bearing whatsoever on the signal

the magnetic field produced by the magnet on the cable is orthogonal to the signal flow. Which in layman terms means it won't affect the signal

He has also emphatically stated that it does

I already stated the signal IS affected by magnets.

I am ashamed  to admit I got pulled in yet again. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

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