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To Stack Amps On Top of Each other Or Not.....

GlobalWarming

GlobalWarming

Super Member
Hello!

I have noticed that some people that post fotos here have amps stacked on top of another amp.

Is that a good thing to do?.......Specially if the amps weight is about 50 pounds (24kg) or more?.....

Will the weight of the amp on top eventually damage the case of the amp below?

And heat dissipation......Will spacers help?

Could anyone with information on this matter please share their views, experiences.....

For the sake of aestetics (Female counterpart influence) or lack of space sometimes people have to stack them.

All opinions are appreciated.

Thanks!

Nel
 
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Depends on the amplifiers cooling method(fan or passive). I wouldn't stack them at that kind of weight per amp. It would probably be fine but I wouldn't do it.
 
Weight is generally not the issue, though rubber or composite feet will leave marks over time that can be hard to remove. Spacers will help with heat, and whether that's an issue depends on ventilation and how much heat the amps generate to begin with. I've used small wooden blocks as spacers in some cases. One approach is to try it and see - do the amps run noticeably warmer when stacked?
 
I am planning to buy a pair of Yamaha MX1 amps (50 pounds each) and I need to get a rack; stacking can save me a lot of money and space....

I have a HP pavilion laptop(wide screen) poorly designed in my opinion; it overheats faster than my stove.
After lifting it just a little over an ich from the table the problem went away...

So I think this might work with a bigger amps but I would not bet my money on it....
 
I like to give my components lots of room to breath, stacking strangles them IMHO.
Regards,
Jim
 
I have an IR thermo that I use to check heat buildup. I think the trick is to do it so there is little or no difference in temps. I think free standing out in the open with enough room for adequate ventilation is not a problem unless you prefer it otherwise.

Actually you can make the case for both ways. I know some who want the amp right below the speaker its driving. Cleaner, less wires etc. Personally I like it all in the same area at least.
 
Ideally I would like to have a two shelve rack that is about 40 inches long and about 24 inches high to place the amps next to each other......

Unfortunately this rack I can't find. The ones available are made out of glass and my girlfriend hates glass....So I am thinking about having one made, and that cost a lot.....
 
ADV, it sounds like the GF is a factor in your case, so why not include her in the process.
First to some of us, seeing a big stack of vintage gear gets the heart racin', to others it's get all that stuff off the poor Marantz! I like my stuff all out in the open, the big amp on top of the TV so the speaker wires are shorter, a long connector from the pre to the amp is GENERALLY not going to affect the sound ( a very few are sensitive to this arrangement so check your specs) I found these big sturdy particle board boxes with formica on them like you would find from a custom furniture maker at a yard sale. Got some paint at Home Depot-of course! And did a nice pebble finish on them total $15, so bring her along and if you can't find something on the cheap, then say ok, honey, let's go to the store and let's pick something out together. Win/Win! Be sure to bring pics and measurments of what you have for visual and fit.

Craig
 
In most applications I've found that a rack unit's worth of spacing between the amps will suffice. As others have said try it and see.
 
First heat rises and amps make the most heat. So put them on the top shelf so the heat has no obstruction. I use a Zoethecus rack which also allows me to leave the middle of the shelf open for air circulation from below. If putting 2 amps together on top take (4) 2.5 inch mdf blocKs and put 2 on each end of a 2.5 by 10-12" (you will have to measure your footers) mdf top piece that your amp will sit on. Make 1 more for other side. Don't make it so wide that it covers your amps vent outlet. Glue pieces together. Paint flat black or satin and apply thin layer of cork to bottom and put on amp. Then you can place next amp on top with a little space to breath. Not perfect but better than a lot of way amps live/work that you see.
 
ADVHamburg said:
Hello!

I have noticed that some people that post fotos here have amps stacked on top of another amp.

Is that a good thing to do?.......Specially if the amps weight is about 50 pounds (24kg) or more?.....

Will the weight of the amp on top eventually damage the case of the amp below?

And heat dissipation......Will spacers help?

Could anyone with information on this matter please share their views, experiences.....

For the sake of aestetics (Female counterpart influence) or lack of space sometimes people have to stack them.

All opinions are appreciated.

Thanks!

Nel
Click to expand...

You should never do that. Spacers or not, when amplifiers, receivers, integrateds, etc. get their juices flowing, they get downright hot. Practically every amplifier manufacturer's owner's manual I have read says you should NEVER place any component on top of your amplifier....and I never do.

If horizontal space is an issue, go vertically with some sort of shelf unit with a small footprint.
 
At my school, we have a rolling amp cart with a DAT recorder (never used) EQ, Yamaha PC2002 and PC2001 amps. Right on top of each other, rackmounted, open backed.

No problems with heat there.
 
I've got 50lb amps.. they are stacked. air flows through the amps, not disapated through the covers so heat is a non issue. No issues or problems what's so ever. Also, I seldom run them hard enough for them to ever heat up... it takes a lot of power over extended periods to heat up pro amps.
 
ADVHamburg said:
Hello!

I have noticed that some people that post fotos here have amps stacked on top of another amp.

Is that a good thing to do?.......Specially if the amps weight is about 50 pounds (24kg) or more?.....

Will the weight of the amp on top eventually damage the case of the amp below?

And heat dissipation......Will spacers help?

Could anyone with information on this matter please share their views, experiences.....

For the sake of aestetics (Female counterpart influence) or lack of space sometimes people have to stack them.

All opinions are appreciated.

Thanks!

Nel
Click to expand...


Stacking amps is not a good idea...period! Weight is the least of it.
 
similost said:
I've got 50lb amps.. they are stacked. air flows through the amps, not disapated through the covers so heat is a non issue. No issues or problems what's so ever. Also, I seldom run them hard enough for them to ever heat up... it takes a lot of power over extended periods to heat up pro amps.
Click to expand...

I would imagine you wouldn't have a heat problem with PRO AMPS. Pro amps are specifically designed so that they can be stacked in small spaces. Most people don't use pro amps in their home systems.
 
iLUVanalog said:
You should never do that. Spacers or not, when amplifiers, receivers, integrateds, etc. get their juices flowing, they get downright hot. Practically every amplifier manufacturer's owner's manual I have read says you should NEVER place any component on top of your amplifier....and I never do.

If horizontal space is an issue, go vertically with some sort of shelf unit with a small footprint.
Click to expand...

I'm running twin (Echowars rebuilt) Pioneer Spec 2's bi-amped in a large entertainment center with about 1 1/2" spacing between the glass shelves the amps are sitting on. Never had any issue with over heating nor building much heat with extended play YMMV
 
iLUVanalog said:
I would imagine you wouldn't have a heat problem with PRO AMPS. Pro amps are specifically designed so that they can be stacked in small spaces. Most people don't use pro amps in their home systems.
Click to expand...

You need to get out a little bit more. Lots of us here use pro amps at home with great results including myself.
 
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Some bone-head stacked something very heavy on top of my CA 810 as the grill vents have four "dents" in the shape of what was on top. :tears:

Why does this stuff not show up well on photos?

DK
 
Let those puppies breathe! Besides, if you spread them out it will heat the room more evenly. (I just love it when folks put them on the floor on shag carpet and then ask why they seem to run so hot.)
 
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