High quality / low cost project

[Audio Al]

Hello

I am toying with the idea of building a system using good quality components

I have access to a table saw , jointer , planer thickneser , general woodworking tools

So would be able to make speaker cabinets , rack for the components etc

May even have a go at making a turntable as well

so , any advice on where to buy quality speakers / components would help a lot

Cheers

Allen

[DSJR]

Wilmslow Audio and falcon Acoustics are great places for DIY speaker parts, although the Chinese invasion means that you can buy some great little fully active speakers for little over a ton from Studiospares and I'm told they actually sound quite good too..

Regarding amps, obviously the Mini-T amp is fine if it likes the speakers it's driving and for kits, the Gainclones are a future project for me.. Audiosector do some well received kits, although it's the transformers and cases which bump the prices up, rather than the amps themselves.

Turntable "kits" tend to be mainly well butchered lenco's I fear, a heavily carved up old top plate being mounted on a fancy plinth and a tonearm of choice added. Another approach could be a Thorens TD150 or the cheaper (more plentiful) and less desirable (in stock form) TD160, which you could soup-up to your heart's content and hopefully have loads of fun with in the process.

Digital? Numerous ideas and things on DIY Audio, although ready made boards are so cheap now it doesn't leave very much for the DIY-er to do.

As for cables - loads of great wire from Van Damme and Klotz, the latter in wide use by professionals I'm told and decent plugs don't have to cost hundreds, unless you're a manic WBT and Furutech fan ;). Studiospares again for cables and I have regularly used proaudioshop on ebay for wire as well - both give excellent service.

Finally, HiFi Collective are excellent for fancy and not so fancy bits and bobs..

Hope this helps :)