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Audiophiles vs DIY-o-philes

Hi folks, I've been visiting the DIYaudio forum during the last weeks or so and it appears to me that the people who are discussing matters are often very well informed about the technical issues and often have a technical background as well. but sometimes I have the impression that these wonderful people are emphasizing the technical rather than the non-technical issues, like: how a unit really sounds. The term "musicality" is not for the techies but more for the non-technical audiophiles and musicians. But what does the audio-music-o-phile wants? Isn't that to get a "musical" and emotional sound that will bring him closer to "live"? This is a prelude to a very controversial issue that I want to discuss: are the audio-techno-philes who are measuring and DIY'ing things more concerned with measurement data and circuit topologies rather than with how a unit really sounds?

Chris
dazzdax
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
Chris, I distinguish modifiers from general DIYers in this regard. A modifier has the opportunity to start with a stock component & control variables by making small incremental changes. After 10 or so such changes to a component the ear has received an education as a test instrument. The non-DIYer audiophile has only the opportunity to swap whole components. This brings in a wider range of variables between models & manufacturers to complicate comparisons. It is more difficult to evaluate component A relative to component B, than it is to evaluate component A relative to component A with mod B. The modifier is simply extending the R&D of the original designer, freed from the constraints of development cycles & costs.
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,235 posts
 
When Is a DIY'er classified as a mainstream manufacturer? when he has 1, 4 or twenty under his employ?

I would also be annoyed If I'd spent 40k on a pair of speakers purchased from a 'mainstream manufacturer', when a professional DIY'er could make me something that sounds as good or better for a quarter of the price. Money to tight to throw away lightly out of my wallet. Not having a dig at those who take the 'pro speaker manufacturer' route. I have done that In the past.
pauly
1,012 posts
 
+++ DIY'ers always say their stuff is superior to the stuff from the mainstream manufacturers. +++

And more than often they are correct.

I have ‘tweaked’ a few components for friends and they were all amazed at the difference. I once spent less $10 on a $300 DVD and it was transformed - $2,40 on BG electrolytics (times 2) for output coupling caps and about $1 for 4 UF4007 diodes. (the balance on beers and solder)

+++ This is very annoying! +++

Not half as annoyed as I am when find I spent over a $1,000 on an audio component that consists of electronics that at wholesale would cost less than $100. Or how about a pre amp that retails for close to $4K that uses coupling caps that cost no more than $1-$2 a piece?

Personally I rather build my own (from one of the hundreds of good designs available on the net) and use the very best components. I wager anything I end up with the better product and spend considerably less doing so.

Regards
Paul
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