[FullRangeMan]

Oscilloscope

[Stuartk]

For those of us who are not "serious", I'd submit the "large roll of cash" (whatever "large" means to you) and understanding spouse are at the top of the list.

[Stuartk]

Hope this is still considered within the topic: is there any consensus on a recommended dB meter?

[dpatters]

Ears.

[Mariusz Uszynski]

-Money
-Designated room
-Some tools
-Research
-Common sense

[FullRangeMan]

Hope this is still considered within the topic: is there any consensus on a recommended dB meter?

I have an Mínipa made in China without probs since early 1990s.

[Bossboy]

A thesaurus, for our attempts to describe sound verbally

A corkscrew or bottle opener for liquid refreshments

       
Excellent choices

[Bossboy]

How about a capacitance meter
and a more understanding wife.

[nlitworld]

How about a capacitance meter
and a more understanding wife.

Those are on national backorder with no ETA. Capacitance meters are easy to find though. 

[dunkie]

Those little speaker-binding-post tools, I think Audioquest makes one.  They fit in the hand so nicely and there is a size at each end so they fit most speaker binding posts. You can feel how tightly you are torquing the post and there is no slip and no chance of making an accidental connection between the R and B posts.  An excellent tool ! 

[Tsantil]

Those are on national backorder with no ETA. Capacitance meters are easy to find though. 

New to these forums… LOL’d at this one.

[Soothsayer]

I haven’t read the whole thread, but you cannot be considered a true audiophool unless you have a wife that can “hear a difference from the kitchen”.

[mix4fix]

How about a DMM for checking things like cables and connectors.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-digital-multimeter-90899.html

We were talking about it at work the other day. We use to get a smaller Fluke, now we get a cheap one.

By all means: keep cheap ones as backup, but invest in a Fluke.

[FullRangeMan]

I haven’t read the whole thread, but you cannot be considered a true audiophool unless you have a wife that can “hear a difference from the kitchen”.

These wifes was when I was young,
today you know how they are>

[Moverton]

I haven’t read the whole thread, but you cannot be considered a true audiophool unless you have a wife that can “hear a difference from the kitchen”.

So true…

[PhillySpecial]

So how about we make a list of tools that any self-respecting audiophool should have at the ready? I have no idea what someone with a TT needs at hand. Not sure the proper Circle for this. Hope you agree this is a good idea.

Okay, I'll start the list:

db meter like a Ratshack meter

Tape measure

Hand mirror

Deoxit or other contact cleaner

Cheater plug for troubleshooting

Wattmeter
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/tools/test-measurement/Metrs-HVAC-R/energy-saver?infoParam.campaignId=T9F&gclid=COvYz6C89swCFYk9gQodI2gKjw

Wire gauge calculator
http://www.wirebarn.com/Wire-Calculator_ep_42.html

Basic calculations
http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-ohm.htm

Binding post wrench
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-dJuDrlAsQ8S/p_703BINDPW/AudioQuest-Binding-Post-Wrench.html

Good morning, new member and budding (still largely clueless) audiophile here. This is my first attempt at setting up a hifi system my ears will appreciate. Recently attended Capital Audio Fest 2023 and loved the sound in Rogue Audio’s room, so doing my best to replicate it with a few budget-minded compromises here and there. Thanks for this helpful post.

[PhillySpecial]

How about a capacitance meter
and a more understanding wife.

If you find an audio store selling more understanding wives, or any store for that matter, please let me know. 

[PhillySpecial]

So how about we make a list of tools that any self-respecting audiophool should have at the ready? I have no idea what someone with a TT needs at hand. Not sure the proper Circle for this. Hope you agree this is a good idea.

Okay, I'll start the list:

db meter like a Ratshack meter

Tape measure

Hand mirror

Deoxit or other contact cleaner

Cheater plug for troubleshooting

Wattmeter
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/tools/test-measurement/Metrs-HVAC-R/energy-saver?infoParam.campaignId=T9F&gclid=COvYz6C89swCFYk9gQodI2gKjw

Wire gauge calculator
http://www.wirebarn.com/Wire-Calculator_ep_42.html

Basic calculations
http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-ohm.htm

Binding post wrench
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-dJuDrlAsQ8S/p_703BINDPW/AudioQuest-Binding-Post-Wrench.html

Any recommendations with respect to ac power supply? Thanks.

[rockadanny]

[Ronyee1]

A rational partner who can understand your passion but also calmly provide the pros and cons. If it were up to me I would have bought so many impulse buys instead of stuff that I also want. It’s nice to have someone to balance out my impulsivity but also doesn’t shut down everything right away.