I used to participate in a boatbuilding forum which didn't have sub-forums, but encouraged participants to add a prefix ("BUILD','TOOLS','DESIGN', etc..) to the subject line (thread title).
Like the 'WTB' prefix used here at diyaudio, a 'REPAIR' prefix in the thread title could be a way to separate the repair threads without creating separate sub-forums.
It's better (IMO) to keep the SS and Tube (and other) areas separate - I wouldn't want repair topics to be combined into one big sub-forum.
Though, it seems to work OK with the existing system; often the titles get the idea across.....
To me, DIYAudio is still the most reasonable audiophile forum, while I feel it has become less and less liberal these days...
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Also Silverprout, DF96, and anyone else.
It is not really something that is frustrating for me, but for a new person coming to the forum, digging through a thread like this feels like preparing to get to the top of Mount Everest in a wheelchair.
I know very well what it takes, and I do not claim to have the capacity for it, too many other obligations in my life. But maybe it could be considered in a few threads, to have a little bit more focus on linking important info from the first post, maybe copy a bit of text once in a while. Not saying all threads should be like this, but if the material is good and it is a useful and relevant project, just keep the thought back in the head somewhere.
It would benefit many of the newcomers asking for a "project kinda like this or like that" type thing.
Nothing wrong, only that in a discussion forum nobody owns you any "recipes". If somebody wants to post a "recipe", he is free to do so, if not, that's that.
What you are regarding as "recipe", which includes BOMs and other such details, is involving quite some work to generate, I see little reason for anybody doing so, in particular for free. If you want to pick a free idea, or ask questions, your are welcomed, but not much beyond that should be expected. There are commercial sites and EBay that are offering "recipes", for a price.
I believe you mean *free* places.
My 0.02, of course.
Not just for newcomers.
It's a bit of a 'Catch-22' situation - Some of the most interesting ('best' ?? - not going there....) amp projects to build reside in very long threads, so are the most difficult to approach.
That said, I think it would take a brave person to write a 'wiki' or 'summary' of one of those long threads- the reason they are long is that so many people have contributed ideas...
Syn08, apparently, there is room for fanatics in this forum, and I am very happy there are some of these around, fanatics that are passionately involved in improving themselves, their level of knowledge and the various gadgets used for sound reproduction. Sharing a little bit of knowledge with each other is the sole purpose, the very idea, the basis of foundation, the entire reason this forum exists.
If everyone stops sharing information, this fantastic forum will die quickly.
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Victoria guy, yes, but the information should be credited the main contributors. At least briefly mentioned in a "thanks to:" section of the article.
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Not saying what should be, only suggesting a possible way to make the first hurdle a bit less hard for our new members.
If everyone stops sharing information, this fantastic forum will die quickly.
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Victoria guy, yes, but the information should be credited the main contributors. At least briefly mentioned in a "thanks to:" section of the article.
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Not saying what should be, only suggesting a possible way to make the first hurdle a bit less hard for our new members.
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^^^^
Did I mention anything that contradicts this?
Only that "recipes" contain little to no knowledge for the user to benefit from.
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No, you are incorrect in your assumption.
I regard a tested schematic as the 'recipe' for a project.
For other builders, it may be different. Some like a PCB and a BOM, etc. .
I don't 'expect' anything when others are sharing their ideas.
I don't know of any commercial sites or eBay that are sources for tested schematics, with comments from other builders. There are certainly plenty of problems with 'kits' from eBay sellers.
diyaudioprojects.com and the guitar amp sites are the only other 'free' sites I'm familiar with.
Who sells schematics and BOMs?
The idea that the diyaudio forum is only for discussion and 'knowledge', not building, seems narrow to me- but that may not be what you are saying. Discouraging people who come here for 'recipes' seems pointless; following a recipe or copying a design is the way that most people get started in any craft.
You can if you want, take your time, be patient, stay on the train of thought peacefully and experiment as rationally as you can 🙄
I am not a newby to building and troubleshooting. I don't do that for a living, but I enjoy the process. Like many forums on the web, I have had varying experiences, some great, OK and just plain bad.
This forum has the nicest mix of people that are willing to take the time to help others. Additionally, I read more than I comment on. I find I can gather more information and understanding about building and understanding what the circuit does by following DIYA.
I attended Burning Amp last year for the first time and met some of the people that post on DIYA. Some first rate folks, a pleasure to meet and interact with.
There is some truth to you only receive back what you put into, life, projects, friendships, etc.
Personally this is my favorite audio forum. Yes I visit others, but always end up here.
This forum has the nicest mix of people that are willing to take the time to help others. Additionally, I read more than I comment on. I find I can gather more information and understanding about building and understanding what the circuit does by following DIYA.
I attended Burning Amp last year for the first time and met some of the people that post on DIYA. Some first rate folks, a pleasure to meet and interact with.
There is some truth to you only receive back what you put into, life, projects, friendships, etc.
Personally this is my favorite audio forum. Yes I visit others, but always end up here.
E.g. check the commercial section of this forum. Or audioXpress and other magazines still in print.
What I’m trying to convey is that sending a BOM to Mouser, sending Gerbers to a board house and soldering the parts on a PCB is not the best way to acquire an understanding of audio or electronics. It could be a good point to start for a kid as an early contact with practical application of science, but not more than that.
Unless we are talking about the Golden Ear Brigade who cares only about the subjective sound quality, and consider everything happening behind the scene as mundane.
No, it isn't. But it may get people interesting in starting out. Learning audio and or electronics can be a life-long pursuit. Not everybody has the time, interest, or necessarily the ability to become expert. People come here and participate to the extent they enjoy it and have the free time for a hobby.
I do not think anyone of us do EVERYTHING from the ground up, not many that make resistors and caps for instance. Some have problems with tiny components for various reasons, others may have trouble with the hardware work and buy ready made enclosures with pre-tapped heatsinks instead.
Some of the beauty of this forum is that YOU choose what you want to try out, long project, short project. New house with an entire floor for subs or just a tiny boombox, it's all here.
No need to reinvent the wheel for every single application.
Some of the beauty of this forum is that YOU choose what you want to try out, long project, short project. New house with an entire floor for subs or just a tiny boombox, it's all here.
No need to reinvent the wheel for every single application.
There was a discussion a few years back about what "true DIY" was about. The conclusion (I think) was that it meant different things to different people. You can take it to ridiculous lengths, like making your own transistors...
Everyone has to start somewhere. There are many people who would not start at all if they had to read and understand all of the theory behind what they are making, before they start to make it. They would instead prefer to just do the build and enjoy the results. Of course if something goes wrong and they need to troubleshoot, then that can be an issue, but then again that is when they will learn something! 🙂
I would consider myself after many years still at entry level electronics knowledge. I've designed and built a few circuits of my own, and have been pleased with the results, I can trouble shoot faulty electronics, but I still don't have a really deep understanding. I started out reading electronics magazines and building kits. Those kits did have explanations as to how the circuit worked. I guess that is something that is lacking a lot of the time with projects posted on line.
Tony.
I see this happening fairly often here. Right now there's an example (or perhaps two examples) going on in the Boyuu A9 thread where Gregas built the amp and now is starting to do some voltage measurements and calculations. Not troubleshooting - the amp is working OK but he's curious to learn more.
Yup! I agree.
I started in the 50s with a Knight Experimenter's Kit - each different circuit needed wires to be soldered to the tag strips. Then a couple of Heathkits. They both had very clear 'Theory' sections which I could understand as a beginner.
Recently I read a post here with a link to 'Electronics Illustrated' magazines online - it's very interesting to read those project descriptions.
ELECTRONICS ILLUSTRATED: Hobbyist magazine from 1958 to 1972
It's a lot more difficult to get started building projects nowadays. Fewer 'inspiring' articles now and I think a lot of young people don't have access to a shop. All those 50s and 60s basement shops have been turned into family TV-watching spaces or suites for the kids to live in! 🙂
So do I. My first amps were in the late 60's an EL34 push-pull (I was 10, soldering with a gas stove heated soldering lump of copper, filed every 10 minutes, plus a half inch dia tin bar, and from which I got the first nasty shock when one can electrolytic in the PS lost the grounding to a painted salvaged chassis) then one year later an ASZ15 germanium quasi complementary 10W solid state. Since the shock, I never touched tubes with a 10ft. pole (except for eventually fixing a few tube TVs).
But then none of the above resources were free. My point is that expecting the same or better from a free source (this forum) is not realistic. One has to be prepared to do some work (like digging threads for information, filtering out grain for chaff, etc...) for the privilege of getting free ideas, advice and opinions. And in general, be happy this forum exists as it is, rather than moaning about not finding full ready and cooked recipes.
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Where did you get that idea- that I am moaning?😕
.....good thing I'm not a beginner coming here for the first time, huh?
thanks, we have our gestapo image to keep....😀
we were discussing among'st ourselves whether to add a "like" button on each posts just like in facebook and in some other forums, where readers and even lurkers can participate and we could know how certain threads or posts come across, this is good feedback imho...
Not you, sorry for the misunderstanding!
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/the-lounge/313426-quality-threads-downhill-57.html#post5657701
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