That's too much money invested to even mess around or to cut corners. Make sure you've got at least 3 inches clearance on the top as recommended. It heats up pretty good.
The REF 3 generates a lot of heat of its top. Space to the upper shelf depends on the temperature level you have regularly in the room, shelf material and kind of equipment ( tubes or SS ) you have on the upper shelf . 2" space to the upper shelf may not be good enough.
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