2. amps-preamps
  3. 156499-2546

Who's Gone Topless?

The idea of this goes back decades. Amps and preamps (for the most part) are designed on chassis free breadboards, then voiced, THEN are packaged inside a chassis, which can be the weakest link to hearing what the designer intended. In most cases the chassis sidewalls and bottom are essential, but the top?


First off, beware that doing so will likely affect your mfg warranty, but, if you live in a pet-free, child-free home, then the benefits can more than offset concerns about something getting in that could harm the components. Case in point my Ric Schultz Class D EVS 1200, dual mono IcePower 120as2 modules. HOWEVER, unlike others using the same or similar modules, Ric then sprinkles many decades of modifying pixie dust all around them which are mounted inside an understated (sans bling) Italian sourced chassis.

When I ordered mine it was mandatory to purchase 2 Cubes ($200) which are to be butted up against each board, requiring the owner to remove the top. After doing so, I was anxious to put it in my rack so I could properly isolate it from bad vibes, when I should have listened with and without the Cubes and top.


Ric is also a proponent of weighing down components, but due to the unnecessarily large chassis, it barely fit in my rack, but I had a 5 pound divers belt lead weight that I squeezed in. Now, because RIc chose to put the mute toggles on the back I placed the amp on the first shelf from the rack's top (but out of sight out of mind: I never mute it when done listening), upon which was my CD player/Transport, which I raised up to provide ~ 2" of air space above the top of the 1200 and the bottom shelf of the player. Even though the rack is open on all sides with plenty of air space all around the rack, the amp ran warm

Fast Forward to yesterday. I was listening to Leonard Cohen Essential songs, mostly instrumentally sparse. I removed the weight; and found the music much more open sounding. Encouraged, I FINALLY removed the top. Honestly, I was not prepared for how HUGE doing so could be. It was like the music went from a confined space to an open air 3 dimensional venue. This is so amazing that I am going to get a handle on it via different music before removing the Cubes. Oh, and the amp is now cool as can be. 


So, if interested, stay tuned
tweak1
chorus
976 posts
 
Cleeds Misdeeds is what you may have to rename your post.

I think you just having some fun. Good job too as you have sucked
in quite a few folks!

I live in Arizona. Dust capital of the world. Would I need the Pixie dust 
sprinkles as well? 

I would hope any manufacturer uses the entire box to control/limit
electrical interference and unwanted vibrations as well as flotsam.

Lejonklou, a very small Swedish amp maker, has specs for EACH
individual screw that holds his lid in place. He claims it makes an audible difference. My ears are past that I'm sure but the point is the lid
does matter. So if yours sounds better removed I am inclined to be
suspect of this maker. 

My suggestion, after an adult beverage is to take Ron's Weighing
Down idea a step further. Using 20 lb barbells attached to your unit,
take it very carefully to a Bridge over troubled waters and let you troubles just fall away!!




rodman99999
6,186 posts
 
@djones- Shows what you, "science" buffs know. For anyone, actually interested in the facts, regarding what we don’t know, regarding this universe:    https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/what-is-dark-energy     Then, there’s this theory:    https://www.newscientist.com/question/are-there-multiple-universes/#      Perhaps, this: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/string-theory-about-unravel-180953637/     or, this:  https://phys.org/news/2018-03-universe-hologram-mind-blowing-theories-theoretical.html      Those are all postulations/propositions, from qualified Physicists.      No one can accurately measure what’s going on.      Thus far, there are only theories, far as what’s taking OR taken place, in this universe and all that’s offered, are estimates/guesses/equations.
mickeyb
585 posts
 
It’s getting to the point where a person can’t even share a noticeable change in his/her system without everyone arguing about it. Pretty pathetic. We should all be happy we aren’t 6’ under and still have the ability to listen to music. I think next time I change tubes on my pre I’ll try this. Why not? Who gives a rats -$&? Thanks for sharing. 
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
At the end of the day it really is ok to like what you like based on whatever criteria you decide to assign. It's so ridiculous to try to convince someone else you're finding joy in something for all the right reasons or defending yourself that your reasons are solid enough.  What a waste.
rodman99999
6,186 posts
 
btw, djones-    About what gravity actually affects (more than just galaxies), you'll notice the name of this famous, still held as valid, theory, includes the word, "Universal":     https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/circles/Lesson-3/Newton-s-Law-of-Universal-Gravitation     Did you sleep through that Jr High, Science class?
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