DIY High End Audio
High-end audio systems offer stellar audio quality, but have a reputation for being expensive, with some systems ranging in price from the thousands to the tens of thousands of dollars. Many audiophiles have increasingly been building, Iin recent years, do-it-yourself audio component kits to achieve excellent audio quality without the expense. Some kits are easy to build, with step-by-step instructions, while others require you to have some degree of skill in assembling electronic circuits.
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Things You'll Need
- DIY audio preamplifier, amplifier, or CD player kit
- Soldering gun or iron
- Tools and parts as specified in the kit assembly instructions
- AC-DC power supply
Instructions
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Assess your level of skill in assembling electronic circuits. Novices who have never handled a soldering gun might want to opt for a solderless kit, while those with more experience will feel comfortable with a kit that requires extensive soldering.
Research your chosen components by visiting the websites of various do-it-yourself audio kit suppliers. Select the kit that most closely meets your needs and skill level.
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Determine what you want to build. Your project may call for a single component, such as an amplifier, or a complete set of components.
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Assemble all required tools and equipment before ordering an assembly kit. Many kit makers specify in advance the equipment and tools that are needed. Some kits supply all needed parts, while others provide only some of the parts and require you to buy additional parts.
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Allocate a well-lit, well-ventilated area and a sturdy table for your assembly project. Be sure the area is free of obstructions or other things that could interfere with assembly, or pose safety hazards.
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Read carefully all literature that comes with the kit. Pay particular attention to safety warnings and advice. Don't proceed with assembly until you have read and fully understood the assembly manual and the safety warnings.
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Open the kit. Inspect all of the supplied parts. Match the parts to the parts list that comes with the kit. Don't proceed with assembly if parts are missing. Contact the kit vendor and request replacements, and start assembling your project after they arrive.
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Review assembly instructions periodically to ensure that you're assembling components correctly. Take your time, proceeding to the next assembly step only after you have verified that the prior step was completed correctly. Also, check the fit of parts to be sure they go together before soldering them or affixing them to the circuit board.
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Tips & Warnings
Look for kits that have CE (Compliance Engineering), UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or CSA (Canadian Standards Association) seals of approval. Kits underwritten by any of these organizations are usually of the highest quality and the safest to build. Many kit manufacturers offer telephone and online support resources. Use them if you're unsure how to complete a given step in the assembly process.
Follow all assembly instructions, safety warnings, and other advice that comes with the kit. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or property damage, particularly if you're assembling a kit that uses high-voltage components. Test components to ensure they operate correctly before putting them into service.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit power image by Guy Pracros from Fotolia.com
