My Background = Self-taught hobbyist with significant knowledge gaps, due to only studying what interests me. I have good skills... KiCad, ordering boards and soldering them up. I also have a really good hobbyist lab and can test most things.
I love to DIY my own EE bench tools. A Three-Op-Amp Instrument Amplifier design looks easy enough. However, it appears that there are all-in-one ICs that have better spec's than what I would end up with, if I built it, myself. Of course, there is the joy of learning and the satisfaction of building. But, the circuit is so straight forward that I think I have learned what there is to know. IMO, a chip price of say $20 would be worth it, for true lab-grade spec's. So, DIY, or Buy, and Why? If buy, what chip do you suggest? It could include more advanced features/techniques, of course. Thanks!!!