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Stacking power amps mono blocks

I have two tube mono blocks that are stackable. However when I put one on the other there is only 1/2" space for heat dissiation between the two of them. I am worried that the lower unit will fry over time if it gets to warm and the heat from the tubes can't escape. I can obviously put a 2" x 4" to create space. However, the look may not be great. Anyone that has figured out a nifty thing or purchased something that creates a nice 3 to 4 " gap between two pretty heavy (at least 50 lbs each) power amps. By the way if I put them into my Target stand (the ampsare 8 " tall (mono blocks) I need to remove one shelf and loose three shelves and not great look for putting in two amps. I am I just not getting it?
dcaudio
dcaudio OP
88 posts
 
Thank you. I am starting to get convinced. Need to run to look for amp-stands for my mono blocks.
Cheers.
detlof
1,899 posts
 
Thanks for your time and consideration Abstract7. You make very good sense to me. I 'm thinking of following your footsteps and doing something similar.
Regards,
gbright
13 posts
 
You can also try a couple of very quiet running fans...I've rigged 2 three inch cooling fans to blow across the top of each of my VTL monoblocks (they're on their own shelves above each other). I don't actually run them when I'm listening, but for the warm up period (approx. 1/2 hr.) and in between songs- whether I'm changing CD's or albums, a 2 min. or so cooling will quickly bring the temp. of the upper shelf back down to "reasonable limits". I'm using a standard [adjustable shelf] Salamander #5 rack and have about 4"-5" between the top of tubes and bottom of shelf above.What I did was simply rig a wire from the front right vertical support rod straight back to the aft one at the very top just below the shelf above it.Pull the wire very tight and then a couple of cable ties or whatever,to hang the fan on the wire. Rig yourself a switch and a plug and you've got yourself a "cross-flow" ventilated rack.Obviously this will only work with an open design rack(no side panels),but if you really wanted to (depending on the material) you could conceivably drill a hole into a side panel type,and mount it somehow? - Where there's a will.... Bottom line,it can be done and still be effective and neat looking. Regards
slawney
242 posts
 
Dcaudio, I also have a Target rack (5 shelf) with two VAIC 52B monos stacked inside it. These amps are very tall, and I removed a shelf apiece for each amp to fit them inside the rack. They each have 8" overhead clearance, which seems enough for heat dissipation. I put the extra shelves under the mono blocks and a layer of rubber beneath them to make a sandwich support. The whole set-up looks fine enough for my wife who is a scrupulous interior design aesthete (with a soft spot for the Bauhaus-chrome-castle VAICs anyhow).
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