amp stand - looking for help (long)

kyyuan · « **on:** 1 Jul 2003, 06:56 am »

Hello,

This is my first post. I was a long-time lurker at HD and have noticed that many "old" HD posters have migrated to the circle. Thus far, I've enjoyed much reading and learning here.

Alright, I'm moving into a loft next month and am considering an amp stand for the new place. Currently, my amp (simaudio w5) is sitting on the same rack as the rest of my components. I'm in a bit of a quandary.

I'm considering the following:

(1) Is an amp stand necessary or preferred? Does it make much difference (given the concrete floor)?
(2) For DIY, I'm considering a maple platform from Mapleshade (>$250 kind of expensive), a granite surface plate from grizzly (24"x18"x3" very thick), and other commercial products. For DIY stuff, I'm thinking amp on top of Herbie's tenderfoot (vertical vibration), then the granite/maple, then cone. The floor at my new loft is concrete.

Sorry for the long post. If you have any thoughts, I would really appreciate it. If not, that's cool as I've been wanting to post and start my circle participation.

Thanks,

Ken

Humble System:
source=Jolida jd-100, Sansui tu-717(still looking)
pre=Sonic Frontiers line-1
amp=Sim Audio W5
cables/interconnect=Bear Lab
Speakers=Bohlender Graebener 520

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 Jul 2003, 07:30 am »

Hi, Ken. Welcome to AC! I know this isn't an answer to your question, but how do you like your BG speakers? I've thought they looked interesting but I've never had the chance to talk to an owner.

JohnR · « **Reply #2 on:** 1 Jul 2003, 07:34 am »

Good question. I too would be interested in hearing anyone's experiences with amp stands -- especially diy ones

satfrat · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 Jul 2003, 08:17 am »

Hi Ken, I use the Mapleshade finished maple platform for my BPT power conditioner but it wasn`t no $250. More like $110? which included the isoblocks. I picked up the Surefeet for $37? so all in all, I got myself a pretty nifty amp stand for under $150 which gets my BP2.5 off the floor so I can clean underneath it. And if I`m gaining any performance from the brass cones and 2" maple block, all the better. I must say that my BP2.5 does look nice atop the lacquered maple block! Regards, Robin

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Jul 2003, 11:21 am »

Looks like the biggest, thickest platform CAN indeed be expensive--$230 for the 4" thick slab

http://mapleshaderecords.com/tweaks/platforms.html

Some people use maple chopping blocks from Bed, Bath Beyond (or others) with spikes. Personally, I found an oak table/stand that I shortened the legs on; not sure if it has a sonic effect, but it definitely helps in terms of ventilation (the amp runs a bit hot). Each leg has an archery field point as a spike.

BTW, I actually like the amp (only) between the speakers (somewhat like shown in the pic, but w/ speakers much farther apart). Hopefully, it helps with imaging since there's little for the sound to bounce off of; but I just like the uncluttered look as I'm listening (preamp & sources are on the side and easily ignored).

kyyuan · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Jul 2003, 03:41 pm »

Rob---- Thanks for the welcome. I really like my BG520s. IMO, the speakers are really smooth and imaging really well. Unfortunately, I haven't compared them to other nice speakers. The BG520s are my first nice pair of speakers. Before them, I had some decent Boston Acoustics that I purchased right out of college. I also augment the low-end by using an ACI Titan sub. Many think that the BG520s don't have sufficient high frequency extention. It's working for me thus far.

JohnR---- Thanks. I've done quite a bit of research on this topic, and maple/granite seems to yield the biggest bang for the buck. Other commercial solutions are either cheap in quality or outrageously expensive.

satfrat---- Thanks for the input. As Tonto pointed out, an 18"x15"x4" (finished) is $230. My amp is 19"x19", so I'll need a larger platform. If I remember correctly, Mapleshade wants about $300 for a 19"x18"x4".

Some think that granite may ring too much (some don't). I figured a 3" thick granite shouldn't ring too much, plus, it'll look really nice. On the other hand, some say solid maple wood (not cutting boards such as John Boos--some think it's sufficient) has very natural timbre characteristics.

I guess, at the end of the day, I really need to try them both myself; however, given the price point (good $$ for me), I would hate just try both options without acquiring more knowledge. Hey, inquiring minds want to know.

The hunt goes on.........

Ken

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Jul 2003, 04:33 pm »

http://www.cutleryandmore.com/shop/details.asp?SKU=2006

There's a 24" X 24" X 4" board for ~$210 and an 18 X 18 for less. One would still need some kinda spikes.

kyyuan · « **Reply #7 on:** 1 Jul 2003, 05:50 pm »

Tonto,

Thanks for the link. John Boos is the company that manufactures those cutting boards, including the one at the cutleryandmore.com website.

Based on my research, those thick cutting boards are typically consist of thin pieces glued together, which have a more "deadening" effect on sound. (who knows).

Unless I can gather more information, I just might have to go with one of the mentioned options soon.

Ken