I'd like to build a new amplifier for my headphones from a company that sells kits. I've never done electronics work before, but would like to get into it as a hobby. Everyone is telling me to pay the $150 to have the factory build the kit for me and send it as a completed unit, as the initial investment in supplies won't be much less (soldering station, multimeter, etc).

To me, having them build it kind of defeats the purpose as I'm purposely doing an easy kit in order to learn, so I can build harder kits later on. That said, I'm a little worried about the double vision or other MG symptoms causing problems. I was just wondering if anyone else here works with electronics, or finds it difficult to do that type thing.

Just as a side note, if they build it, I'll get it much sooner than if I wait until I've recovered from the thymectomy, and then attempt it myself.

Thanks,

Jeff

Due to the double vision, I'm leaning toward going with the factory option, but that puts me into a new price bracket and I can look at possibly better amps. I'd still like to hear if anyone has had luck using a soldering iron with our condition, though.

I've never had trouble with a soldering iron, but I don't have double-vision either.

If you want to pick it up and try it as a hobby, go to a toy store that sells science toys, there are electronic toy sets that include a cheap soldering iron (old school one, like a wood burning iron). Radio shack used to have them too. Give it a try with cheap stuff and see if it works for you. I'd suggest the scotch tape over one lens trick that others have suggested before... or an eye patch. You wouldn't want two soldering irons that close to your finger

I was actually thinking I'd get a prebuilt unit off ebay. Not quite the same quality, but they aren't bad and it keeps me in the same price bracket so I have money to get a set of rock headphones...my current ones are more for classical, though I use them for both. I'm afraid with the double vision I'll end up burning up parts or missing the soldering joints.

That said, your idea about picking up a toy kit is a good one and I might do that before ordering my ebay unit. I definitely wouldn't be able to build it with the double vision, and I'm thinking that the lack of depth perception with tape over one lens will cause a problem--I have trouble getting the insulin needle into the vile, I'll probably go to solder a joint and end up burning up a resistor.

Its nice to think I can do things, but I have a habit of setting myself up to fail (like buying a manual shift car when I could see my health was failing). As I'm in no condition at the moment to work on the kit, I can always get my ebay unit, then practice with one of the toy sets until I'm more comfortable, and build a better one at that point, and sell off the old one.

Anyway, I wrote a really long response to a simple answer. So, thanks for your advice, I definitely will pick up a toy kit to practice with, but will get the ebay unit for now so I don't waste money on something I can't do (wow, you actually helped me make a decision--thank you ).

Jeff

I finally made a decision and then the people at the head-fi warded me away from the ebay amp. They said the kit's the best amp available less than $1000 and if I can't build it to just pay for the factory to. I ordered the "toy" iron...I use toy in quotes as its probably as good as anything I can get at radio shack, and will see what I can do. Would really like to do it myself so I can built the upgrades, but have to recognize my limitations, as well (yes, I can learn new tricks).

It is true, the "toy" soldering iron is not really a toy. You get better with the gun style lighting, ventilation etc. But it does melt solder and is a great way to learn.

I think if you're interested you really should give it a try. You can always put it down if you find you're unable to do it. As far as hobbies go, it is a fairly cheap one to try out.

I think cheap is a relative term. The amp kit I'm looking at is $275, but I'm told it sounds as good as some prebuilt amps that cost in the thousands, especially when you build the upgrades they sell for it...but $275 is still a lot, especially if I get it and find I can't build it. I really appreciate you helping me out on this one.

But I'd also been looking at some radio kits that you can hook to your computer. Just need to get a license before I can use them.