2. amps-preamps
  3. 987398142

Shipping amps upside down?

I recently recieved a used amp that was shipped upside down. The sender will remain nameless as he is a decent guy and went out of his way to get it to me quickly. However the fact remains that the address label/postage was on the bottom of the box (which was the top for the entire trip, even with all the *up* arrows pointing the wrong way) The trip was probably close to 3000 miles, but was shipped essentially 2 day air. I cannot hear any parts rolling around and it performs like it is supposed to as far as I can tell (but volumes are low right now as the wife and kids are sleeping) I have heard horror stories about electronics being shipped upside down. But in my case should I worry or not? The amp is SS but it weighs in at 50 lbs. Could there have been damage that will show up in the near or far future? If I sell this amp in 2,5,10 years should I still be concerned about it? Sending it back to the factory for a check-up probably involves another 6000 miles of travel. Would more harm than good be done by that?

It just bothers me to have to worry about something like this.
a71spud
11 responses Add your response
ohlala
1,235 posts
 
I wouldn't worry about it.
alexanderj
139 posts
 
For peace of mind you might want to talk with the manufacturer's packaging engineer or designer to get their take on potential problems. I would expect that if the unit was shipped in factory packaging and the packaging and amp have passed standard shipping vibration tests that you are probably ok.
nanderson
291 posts
 
There should be very little to worry about except for different amounts of packing on top vs bottom possibly resulting in physical damage, but you would see that, and increased potential for capacitor oil to leak. But most any tech should be able to check that for you unless opening the case invalidates whatever warranty there is. There may be other problems but I am not aware of them.
sc53
719 posts
 
Do you really think UPS or Fed Ex or USPS pays any attention to the direction the arrows are pointing on a shipping box? In my experience, all these services are HARD on packages. I would have NO confidence that labelling and other instructions are followed during shipment; for all you know, your box was actually shipped UPRIGHT because UPS or whoever ignored the arrows pointing the wrong way. Sorry to be so cynical, but I have shipped and received many packages delivered upside down, sideways and everywhichway but loose.
bmolloy
10 posts
 
I wouldn't worry about it.
justlisten's avatar
justlisten
489 posts
 
Sc53,

you are right on, on this one!
Post removed 
pops
2,273 posts
 
if it plays don't worry about it - most high end stuff is built like a tank, especially amps and speaks.
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Sad to say, but I too think Sc53 is right on. Personally I wouldn't worry about it unless the amp was malfunctioning. Good Luck. Craig.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I get a laugh (cry) everytime I visit my local FedEx Truck Depot to drop off a package. In the lobby there is a photo of one of their large sorting centers, probably the national hub in Memphis. I guess it's there as a way to show off their operation. Near the center of the photo there is a really large JVC Television box (probably a 32 or 35 inch set). It looks definitely like an OEM box (ie, its not Aunt Margaret sending her Christmas gifts.) Well the box is upside down. I wonder who at FedEx chose that picture; they must have been asleep.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,216 posts
 
I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss the potential of an upside down effect. I recall a mid-70's article in one of the Russian aerospace journals that referred to "capacitor confusion" resulting from quantum acceleration phonomena. Something about discontinuous gravitational fields. This may be one of the factors involved with "break-in". Anybody doing any controlled listening?
Log in to respond
More to discover
80x80
TriangleART P200 Tube Phonostage Editors Choice Award
80x80
Denafrips Athena
80x80
PrimaLuna EVO 300 Tube Power Amplifier