Where can I get a slab o' Granite for under my amp?

topround · « **on:** 6 Jul 2008, 02:31 am »

I would like to get a big slab of granite to put under my tube amp. I don't know, maybe an inch or two thick.
Does not need to be cryo'd

Where can I get something like this without paying the audiophile value added tax

in other words for cheap!
Maybe the kitchen counter top guy might have a broken or small piece he cannot use?

Any insight??

Thanks

Mike

BRILEY804 · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Jul 2008, 02:36 am »

why not get a wood platform instead ? Wood would absorb the vibration better.

topround · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Jul 2008, 02:39 am »

I am having great success with some Black Diamond Racing cones under my source.
I spoke to the guy who makes the stuff and he recommends using a slab of granite on my floor(carpet) and then using his cones between the amp and granite.

Figured I would give it a try since his cones have been so great so far!

Mike

mgalusha · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Jul 2008, 02:43 am »

Grizzly has them for $40 but the shipping will kill you, $76.50. Still less that anything labeled audiophile.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/18-x-24-Granite-Plate-No-Ledge-3-Thick/G9654

mike

lazydays · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Jul 2008, 02:45 am »

Quote from: topround on 6 Jul 2008, 02:31 am

I would like to get a big slab of granite to put under my tube amp. I don't know, maybe an inch or two thick.
Does not need to be cryo'd
Where can I get something like this without paying the audiophile value added tax
in other words for cheap!
Maybe the kitchen counter top guy might have a broken or small piece he cannot use?

Any insight??

Thanks

Mike

Enco is the place to get it. Tell them you want a "tool Room Grade" bench plate out of composite granite. About four times a year they run them on sale for less than $75, and have seen them as low as $44. Be sure to set it on three points that are about 25% in from the sides and kinda centered up.
gary

JLM · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Jul 2008, 02:50 am »

You might find kitchen sink cut outs, but the cost to finish the edges runs about $15/foot.

nrenter · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Jul 2008, 02:52 am »

Call up some local granite countertop companies and ask for a quote on the size you want. Let them know that you're not particular in the color (but give them some suggestions on what you like). If they can cut your pieces from left-overs or cut-outs, the price will be reasonable.

I'm having two 11-11/16" x 11-11/16" squares of 3 cm granite (standard edging) cut for the top of my subs (for added mass - 14 lbs each) for $20 each. The quotes I got ran between $20 and $40 each.

topround · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Jul 2008, 02:54 am »

Thanks guys

I will try the local counter top guys first, see what they have
maybe I can bribe them with hot dogs!!

topround · « **Reply #8 on:** 6 Jul 2008, 02:56 am »

Hey that Grizzly granite plate is 154 pounds,, I better reinforce my floor

mgalusha · « **Reply #9 on:** 6 Jul 2008, 03:05 am »

The Enco surface plate would be similar, they may even come from the same factory in China.

Grizzly and Enco both offer a lot of Chinese products. If you can get some scraps locally that would definitely be the way to go. You could also check MSC Direct, another machinery supply company. I was going to post links to Enco and MSC but both of their sites are down, methinks they are part of the same company as both have nearly identical pages up.

launche · « **Reply #10 on:** 6 Jul 2008, 03:11 am »

You want a slab, go by your local cemetery. Ask for the groundskeeper, If this doesn't creep you out it's likely you'll find slabs of unused material, 3-5 inch thick chunks they'll be happy to get rid of for free.

Also find a granite warehouse that stores and cuts the stuff, again very likely you'll find some spare scraps they have no use for and may give you for free.

ecramer · « **Reply #11 on:** 6 Jul 2008, 04:10 am »

There's a Granite place close to me a mater a fact they are located in the same place as a company i used to work for was located

All Granite and Marble

70 Storm St, Stroudsburg, PA 18360

Phone:570-421-2633
http://www.marble.com/index.html

you could call and see if they have what you want we could always work something out.

Ed

pearsall001 · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Jul 2008, 05:44 am »

I think pretty much any granite shop in your area would have what you're looking for. I went to a local guy & he had a huge variey of slabs that were cutouts of larger slabs from counter tops & the like. The color choices were pretty extensive to. I had them cut me a piece 20"x18", polished & all corners rounded. The guy charged me $20. Not too bad!

rajacat · « **Reply #13 on:** 6 Jul 2008, 06:51 am »

http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2008/Main/683

JLM · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Jul 2008, 09:35 am »

Depending on the size of your amps, granite tile (up to 24x24) could fit and be much, much cheaper. Experiment with construction adhesives to make a granite/wood sandwich.

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #15 on:** 6 Jul 2008, 09:08 pm »

The sink cut-outs from kitchen countertops are the perfect size for amp stands. You'll just have to have it cut to size and the edges polished. Granite stores would be the first stop or ask any contractors you might know.

Good luck!

S Clark · « **Reply #16 on:** 6 Jul 2008, 11:58 pm »

If the function is mass loading, wouldn't concrete work just as well or actually better? The structure should be less resonant than granite. Go to Home Depot and get a couple of 16 X 16 squares for a couple of bucks each.

Vapor Audio · « **Reply #17 on:** 7 Jul 2008, 03:36 am »

I have a granite warehouse right up the street from me. Last year when looking for a piece to use in my RMAF speaker design I got some really cheap by simply letting them tell me what they'd like to move. This place, and most I'd assume, will have remnants that have been sitting around for some time and they just want to get sold. The only cost really is if you want the edges polished. For an amp stand I think it would look cool to leave the edge unfinished ... all pieces will already have the face polished. I'd imagine you could get a 2" thick slab a couple feet wide and 18" deep for well under $100. I asked last time I talked to them, they said they could put threaded inserts in the bottom for free, something to screw feet into.

djbnh · « **Reply #18 on:** 7 Jul 2008, 09:42 am »

Quote from: topround on 6 Jul 2008, 02:31 am

I would like to get a big slab of granite to put under my tube amp. I don't know, maybe an inch or two thick.
Does not need to be cryo'd
Where can I get something like this without paying the audiophile value added tax
in other words for cheap!
Maybe the kitchen counter top guy might have a broken or small piece he cannot use?

Any insight??

Thanks

Mike

I've managed to get a bunch of them from the leftover pile from a stone place in town. I even have placed some outside as steps to the deck, and used other odd pieces in the garden. Cost = $0. You might have the same luck.

cloudbaseracer · « **Reply #19 on:** 7 Jul 2008, 06:42 pm »

It is free! I just picked up four large pieces of absolute black from a local counter top place. They are happy to get rid of these cutouts. He told me they have to pay to have them hauled off. The are about 2' square each. I spent 10 minutes washing the grit and residue off of them and put them under my speakers onto of the carpet. Not sure if this helps much sonically but it looks cool.

Happy hunting,

James