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FAQ
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This depends on the number of channels you want and the tools/materials you have access to (e.g., amplifier, 3D printer, laser cutter). Roughly speaking, a 120-channel system will costs on the order of $5000 USD ($3000 USD + $2000 USD for a high voltage amplifier if you don’t already have one).
You can probably save about $1000 if you solder the electronics yourself. See this thread from the dev list for several users’ reported build costs.
Obtaining all of the components (e.g., PCBs, mechanical parts, etc.) typically takes a few weeks. You can get things faster if you’re willing to pay extra. As far as assembly, this really depends on how much you choose to do yourself and your skill level. Soldering all of the electronics is the most time consuming part, and it probably takes a few days for someone with experience. Many PCB fabrication companies also offer assembly service, which is obviously more expensive, but will save you time/effort.
Putting the system together (i.e., assembling the case, stuffing the PCBs, etc.) can be done in a day or two. On top of that, you should budget a few days for calibration and troubleshooting (tracking down shorts, etc.). The time required for this step will depend on how good of a job you did while soldering, etc.
The difficulty is probably similar to that of a building a DIY 3D printer (e.g., RepRap). You’ll need to be comfortable soldering (either reflow or by hand) and know how to troubleshoot electronic circuits (e.g., use a multimeter, test for shorts, etc.). The mechanical assembly is straightforward (a couple of custom cables, mostly just machine screws and hex nuts).
If you’ve never done any soldering before, this is probably an ambitious starter project, and we’d recommend getting the electronics assembled professionally. Building a system starting with fully-assembled PCBs is similar in difficulty to building your own computer.