This point in time is begginning to remind me of the late seventies when Audio Research and Conrad-Johnson began the backlash against the solid state nasties by offering kits of amplifiers and pre-amps. Then as more people realised the terrible sound they were getting from cheap SS and began to search for better sound DIY sprung up. It was nice as people bought old Dyna ST 70's for 75$ and went,"OOH" that sounds much better. Slowly it became popular to listen to tubes again and slowly the commercial interests drove the prices up and drove the DIY guys underground again. Until the CD came around and ruined sound for another ten years. Then the vinyl and tube revolution started again by DIY'ers fifteen years ago gained ground. Magazines like V.T.V. and Sound Practices supported the hobby groups and everyone was genial and enthusiastic. Clubs sprung up of guys building stuff. Kits came back like Bottlehead. Now the creeping commercialism rears it's ugly head again. More and More DIY sites look like Established Stereo Retailers. Advertising commercial gear in the guise of DIY.
The wheel turns and returns.
Don't get me wrong; it's a good thing. Because the music lovers will find another way to prevail; and the typical stereo jockeys will take on the same persona that irritated so many enough to drive them away from Stereo originally and into DIY.
"You are still listening to that old stuff; isn't it wooly and lacking in detail" Said with upraised nose and a barely controlled sneer of contempt." HI; I'm Looking for an amplifier?"
"How MUch Do You Want To Spend??"