AvFan
Super Member
I'm going to build a craftsman/mission style cabinet for my stereo gear that coordinates with the other furniture in my living room but before I do I want to make sure all my components work well together. So, to test things, I bought an inexpensive Ikea cabinet/shelf unit that is very close to the same size, 48"w x 29"h x 15"d, I intend to build. I will make the final cabinet at least 3" deeper to accommodate my amp and its connections.
So I'm looking for some guidance from my fellow AKers on component placement within the cabinet, wire management, heat issues, etc before I start cutting up expensive hardwood.
Here is the empty Ikea cabinet then loaded with the gear as a first option:
I'm right handed so I put all the gear I touch, sources and preamp, on the right side. Starting on the top: turntable, DB Systems preamp, phono preamp with a SUT, CD player on top of a streamer/DAC. On the left side is the DB Systems power supply on top of a Panamax surge protector and the amp is on the bottom shelf. It is possible I'll add another turntable to the left of the one on the top of the cabinet.
Of course the amp needs as much ventilation as possible so the final cabinet will have an opening below the amp and openings at the top of the cabinet along the back. I have a shelf above the amp in my current configuration and it has never been hot. I placed the Panamax in the middle so the power cords are as short as possible. All the sources are above or below the preamp so their cables are mostly perpendicular to the power cords. FYI I'm going to make custom length signal cables with Mogami shielded coax with Neutrik Rean RCA plugs.
Phono SUTs can be difficult to place to avoid hum so any insights given the close proximity to other gear is greatly appreciated.
Lastly the DAC/Streamer is a Cambridge Audio CXN that can operate at 2.4 or 5GhZ WiFi but it has been right below the preamp and next to the amp in its current setup without any issues.
Thanks for your guidance and suggestions!
So I'm looking for some guidance from my fellow AKers on component placement within the cabinet, wire management, heat issues, etc before I start cutting up expensive hardwood.
Here is the empty Ikea cabinet then loaded with the gear as a first option:
I'm right handed so I put all the gear I touch, sources and preamp, on the right side. Starting on the top: turntable, DB Systems preamp, phono preamp with a SUT, CD player on top of a streamer/DAC. On the left side is the DB Systems power supply on top of a Panamax surge protector and the amp is on the bottom shelf. It is possible I'll add another turntable to the left of the one on the top of the cabinet.
Of course the amp needs as much ventilation as possible so the final cabinet will have an opening below the amp and openings at the top of the cabinet along the back. I have a shelf above the amp in my current configuration and it has never been hot. I placed the Panamax in the middle so the power cords are as short as possible. All the sources are above or below the preamp so their cables are mostly perpendicular to the power cords. FYI I'm going to make custom length signal cables with Mogami shielded coax with Neutrik Rean RCA plugs.
Phono SUTs can be difficult to place to avoid hum so any insights given the close proximity to other gear is greatly appreciated.
Lastly the DAC/Streamer is a Cambridge Audio CXN that can operate at 2.4 or 5GhZ WiFi but it has been right below the preamp and next to the amp in its current setup without any issues.
Thanks for your guidance and suggestions!