Amp Stands, Butcher Blocks Etc.

I took my Shanling SP-80 tube monoblocks off the floor and put them on custom-made 3-inch maple platforms. What a difference this made to the sound : clearer mids, cleaner highs and tighter, weightier bass. I used the Mapleshade guidelines and put the amps on brass cones and the platforms on soft footers. If you want to see how they looked, check out my system pic.

I have several pair of monoblock amps that sit on amp stands on the floor. I find better sound if I use the Star Sound SP 004 Sistrum Platforms, or have Valleyplastic (audiogon member) make you a pair of monoblock stands out of 1" thick Acrylic all CNC finished and highly polished (in black or clear), and include spikes.
See: http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?accsrack&1216588272

I use Finite Elemente Pagode Master Reference amp stands (see my system pics). I second Albert's opinion - they are expensive, but well worth the money. And they look great.

Thanks for the responses, I'll check out those suggestions.

Zar,

Since you don't appear to have tubes or a TT - vibration control is probably a mute point. Why not go with what the wife wants...I see no reason to go in this direction other than for macho display purposes...just two cents.