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The importance of component location...

I'm brand spankin new to the high end audio world, so I'm beginning my quest to someday call myself "knowledgable".

I've had the chance to look through the vast majority of systems on the gon. One thing I've noticed, at least from those postings that have pics, is that most people with dedicated listening rooms, have there amps located directly in the middle of the speakers ON THE FLOOR!!! Correct me if I'm wrong but I've always read is manuals NOT to place any component on the floor.

Now, just by looking at the pics, I can see that the amps location would reduce the long lengths of cable to the speakers. But does this location effect amp performace? If so, how?

Would this be the only reason to place the amp there?
As for myself, I don't have the option of placing my amp in this spot. Trust me, my wife would have a major objection, seeing my system is in the living room.

I guess the point I'm getting at is what would be the advatage of a system with its amp in the location over a system with its amp on an equipment rack?

Or is this what thing about amp location really a dead issue. Does it even matter.

Can anyone suggest a real world location to place the amp that would offer advantages in performance...outside of an equipment rack?

Thanks for you suggestions.
cdwallace
david_berry
211 posts
 
My understanding of a manufacturer stating not to have the amps on the floor is potential ventilation problems (i.e. reducing the "chimney" effect with the bottem plugged up with a shag rug :))
I keep my monoblock amps on the floor between the speakers and they run at a constant 400 watts each. There are runners on the bottom of my amps that keep them off of the berber carpeted cement floor about 1-2 inchs.
You can, of course have the amp(s) in a different position, you just have to be more aware of the lengths of interconnects/speaker wire (i.e. common sense stuff like do not have your amp 100 feet away from your speakers while using 24 gauge speaker wire).

David
inpepinnovations1e75
395 posts
 
Nsgarch, it is not up to Bigtoe to give a 'scientific' explanation for the placement of power amp not being critical, but for you to explain why placement makes a difference.
And, as for the reason why long speaker cable runs are worse than long IC runs, the reason why damping lowers with longer speaker cables is simply due to the added resistance of the cable, not to the other implied impedences (reactivity and capacitance) and is easily mitgated with the proper size cable.
I won't comment on the 'smearing' of signals contention, except to say that any 'smearing' that might occur in speaker cables is only theoretical and much smaller than the inherent smearing of the speakers themselves.
Bob P.
PS. I place my power amp near the speakers not for the reasons that you have stated, but for convenience - I can see the power level indicators and there is no room near my pre-amp.
sdatch
204 posts
 
Heat dissipation is the biggest concern. I have my tubed monoblocks in a rack due to my kids, but there is a good 3 feet of clearance above them. I suspect that this, along with potential for static discharge hosing something up, that manufacturers frown on placing amps directly on 70's style shag carpet. Amp stands can be had or built for relatively little money, or a lot, depending on how much concern one has for the relatively insignificant effects of resonance and vibration.
listens2tubes
73 posts
 
My mono blocks are suspended on chains below the floor between the speakers. This eliminates vibrations, little fingers touching hot tubes and dropping things on the amps. And my wife has never even mentioned their existence.
unsound
7,335 posts
 
Listens2tubes, your wife never mentioned anything about that rather unique chandlier hanging in the basement?
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