DIY in India

No technical knowledge. Fear that I'll blow up something/get a shock/start a fire or waste a lot of money.

That said, I've always been keen to DIY. Guidance from an experienced audiophile/DIY-er is very much desired.

Too insecure to start without guidance.

Hi Siva,

I SO AGREE with you....

Some 25 to 30 years ago when I was in college and an Active DIY guy, there was so much interest in Hands on soldering, trying out circuits etc...

At that time, a transistor cost Rs 3 to Rs 5 ... then its value was equal to today's Rs 30 to Rs 50. Today a transistor is STILL available for Rs 5, and there are hardly any DIY guys I ever see at Lamington Road.

Even the shops selling electronic kits have lost customers and interest.

Infact a few months ago, I went with a forum member who wanted to DIY a Heaqdphone amp. SHOCKED ... No Headphone amp kit or PCB.... Not even a standard PC for an Op Amp gain stage.....

I am hoping I can fire up some interest in my son, when he is a little older....

No technical knowledge. Fear that I'll blow up something/get a shock/start a fire or waste a lot of money. That said, I've always been keen to DIY. Guidance from an experienced audiophile/DIY-er is very much desired. Too insecure to start without guidance.

Hmm Shahrukh as far as I have seen DIY guys here they use basic designs where hardly anything can go wrong. If it's an amp they usually go with Gail clones and there's ton of matter available everywhere for them. Talking about waste of money there is not much involved to lose. There are also lot of so called experienced DIY'ers who will almost milk you by your balls before your nascent, vintage ,basic deisgn mini amp will come to life. Hence many want to stick to commercial brands to avoid all the crap. Maybe Siva has seen some real good DIY projects, but what I have come across are all basic designs and just a copy paste of someone else's design. S.P.road stuff are better. Infact a DIY'er offered to build me a Class A amp for 20k and I gave him a wide berth and a huge goodbye. What we need is some good and own nurtured designs and mature behaviuor as everyone fibs a lot. A project would've costed someone a DIY'er mere 5k and he claims he has spent 15k, and I always wonder he could've done better with a commercial brand.

Are there any DIY'ers who do it for hobby?? I have seen only folks with commercial establishments or linked with them so goes the story of publicity of their god fathers.

Total crap here..

To start with, would it help if we group existing DIY'ers...i think the DIY community is a bit scattered..without a common discussion place. I know that many folks also dicuss in "diyaudio.com". I'm not myself actively involved in that forum (due to the amount of post that comes in that forum), so ...not sure whether there is a sizeable population from India there ???

I have interacted closelyt with lot of DIY'ers from Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai. (not interacted on the subject of DIY with many folks from Mumbai...except for Manek, Deaf and Amp_Nut).

would it make sense have some kind of common meeting place....where all can meet...or atleast have a chapter in each city.

Is there anyone in Bangalore who can co-ordinate such meet. I can definetly invite the people whom i know in Bangalore....we can all meet in my place to start with..

Regards
Siva.

sivat schrieb:

Guys, I have seen some woderful DIY projects by audiophiles in India. Some of them have so much financial restriction...but still have done some wonderful projects with admirable amount of determination. However, given the size of our country...i do not think we do ....even as much DIY, as it happens in a much smaller country like Singapore. If we leave out Corrson's B2B customers (manufacturers and audio-consultants), most of our retail sales have been finished product only (about 80%). What is stopping us from DIY...is it cost...is it fear of failure... ..would like to hear from you guys.. Regards Siva.

Hi siva, a very nice topic and question and as can been seen somethinhg i presume is very close to your heart.

I feel, "doing things for love/hobby/interest" is not something very encouraged in INdia..usually termed as a "waste of money" Of course it can be said that there are always people who do it, but am sure as a percentage this number is much much less than in other places (especially the western).

In my workplace in Paris, I find that almost everyone I meet has some "Hobby" be it be sports, mountain climbing, swimming, music etc etc.. while in india ùtmost people do not think of anything other than Work and time with family. Even vacations are for visiting family rather than sightseeing !

Is this why we do not do DYI.. I think so,a nd that agai might be the same reason for our sorry state of affairs in Sports, Patents etc etc etc.. but on the same breadth our strength in Services (India Booming and all that )

sivat schrieb:

To start with, would it help if we group existing DIY'ers...i think the DIY community is a bit scattered..without a common discussion place.

I think that's a great idea. I'm sure a group of DIY-ers in Mumbai can get together on weekends for about an hour or two and start some projects. It'll give DIY wannabes like me a great chance to learn and the veterans a chance to get together and pursue their hobby.

sivat schrieb:

...Manek, Deaf and Amp_Nut).

What say sirs??

Arj schrieb:

I feel, "doing things for love/hobby/interest" is not something very encouraged in INdia..usually termed as a "waste of money" Of course it can be said that there are always people who do it, but am sure as a percentage this number is much much less than in other places (especially the western). In my workplace in Paris, I find that almost everyone I meet has some "Hobby" be it be sports, mountain climbing, swimming, music etc etc.. while in india ùtmost people do not think of anything other than Work and time with family. Even vacations are for visiting family rather than sightseeing !

Arj,

Yes...our cultural background in one of the main reason. Initially i used to be very scared of showing my projects to either relatives or non-audiophile friends....worried about how they might react or talk behind-my back !!!

Sometimes you feel...it would be great to discuss about these projects with local friends. That is when it really hurts...there are not many folks with whom... you can share the joy of your hobby...or from whom you can learn something !!

Regards
Siva.

sivat schrieb:

...there are not many folks with whom... you can share the joy of your hobby...or from whom you can learn something !!

There Siva, you've just answered your own question. Only difference is you had the knowledge/skills to start. many of us don't!

Hi Sub Boss.

Are there any DIY'ers who do it for hobby?? I have seen only folks with commercial establishments or linked with them so goes the story of publicity of their god fathers.

REAL Soory to hear of your experiences.

A SHAME on the DIY community, and I apologies on their behalf.

Arj Said:

In my workplace in Paris, I find that almost everyone I meet has some "Hobby" be it be sports, mountain climbing, swimming, music etc etc.. while in india ùtmost people do not think of anything other than Work and time with family. Even vacations are for visiting family rather than sightseeing !

Arj, I COMPLETELY agree with you.

The rat race has also completely claimed Mumbaikars atleast if not ALL Indians...

Sad.....

Shahrukh said:

...Manek, Deaf and Amp_Nut). What say sirs??

Guys count on my WHOLEHEARTED support and involvement, for this activity.

However can devote significant time only after Mid Oct...

Amp_Nut schrieb:

Shahrukh said: ...Manek, Deaf and Amp_Nut). What say sirs?? Guys count on my WHOLEHEARTED support and involvement, for this activity. However can devote significant time only after Mid Oct...

Excellent amp_nut. Now if others could join in. I'm in too... purely as an eager noob!! Deaf, are you listening??

As a move in the DIY direction, I wonder if Manek can create a separate sub-title on the this Forum's Main page, just like

Buy & Sell

Music & film

Offtopic

Non-hifi discussions and introductions.

Stereo

Tuning & Voodoo

etc, for consistent postings on the topic ?

Manek ?

As a project for the Mumbai Chapter ( ? ! ) .... I recall that Maneek wanted to build a Valve Headphone amp.

Maybe it could be built by a group ?

Even better would be that Manek builds a Valve one, someone else interested, could build a Solid State One, and then compare results ?

Any help required from me... I would be happy to help.

Hey guys, I just received the Teflon Belden Cable from Siva. Thanks Siva for your Very Prompt action and nice packing.

Guys, Wanna make a cable as the first DIY Project ?

You can then even compare results, with different cables... Speaker, Interconnect, DIY, Commercial etc....and no one even needs soldering skills.

Ya just need to know how to platt hair ( if Ya dont... I can help )

Would be nice 3 hours or so... with immediate results.

Since I can only give time after mid Oct... maybe other can do this on their own ?

You're welcome Amp_Nut.

3 hours for the speaker cable !!!!....it took me 3 days

Regards
Siva.

Count me in....

currently One can continue in this section uil I can get one created.

manek.

Siva said:

3 hours for the speaker cable !!!!....it took me 3 days

Geez !

Thanks for the warning !

DIY section done folks.....

manek.

God Bless you Manek.

Finally...a dedicated forum for Indian DIYers....we just need to invite them here.

Regards
Siva.

Manek said :

DIY section done folks....

THANKS ! Manek.

That was FAST !

Amp_Nut schrieb:

Hey guys, I just received the Teflon Belden Cable from Siva. Thanks Siva for your Very Prompt action and nice packing. Guys, Wanna make a cable as the first DIY Project ? You can then even compare results, with different cables... Speaker, Interconnect, DIY, Commercial etc....and no one even needs soldering skills. Ya just need to know how to platt hair ( if Ya dont... I can help ) Would be nice 3 hours or so... with immediate results. Since I can only give time after mid Oct... maybe other can do this on their own ?

I'm in too!

welcome guys...

Now how many of you "enthu" guys are going to help me make my headphone amp ?

Manek.

Would be nice 3 hours or so... with immediate results.

Hi Amp_nut,
Even the 3 days that Siva has mentioned is possible if you do only braiding for all the 3 days and nothing else except your daily routine tasks.

On top of that..some blisters in your hand should be expected and likely...so its not as easy as I and you thought initially...
I am doing a similar project with Belden CAT-5 and its so boring to braid more than a hour continuosly...nowadays I do it when I have nothing else to do...still half way

Abhi..I'm sure we will appreciate your DIY effort even if you delegated some of the work to say...your wife? Just kiddin!
Lets look at the possibility of meeting at Siva's place to kick start this in Bangalore?