Where to place power amp?

[wantmorehd]

I'm considering buying a power amp but I've ran out of room in my tv stand/shelf. Actually I'm short on room in general and was thinking that I might be able to place it on my SVS PB12–NSD subwoofer. Would anybody advice against this? The power amp could be up to 80 pounds.

Here is a picture if that helps (sorry, its a little dark):

[Tezster]

Instead of having it sitting directly on top of the subwoofer (subjecting equipment to constant vibration typically isn't a good idea), what about finding some type of a modular component stand with slim, adjustable-height legs that can be placed right where the subwoofer is resting?

Alternatively, installing some type of shelving directly onto the right wall, on which your power amp would reside.

[JohnnyCanuck]

Can you possible take either your PS3 or 360 and put them vertically beside your stand? May mean moving one of your towers a few inches to create some room. That would create room on your stand.

[wantmorehd]

Can you possible take either your PS3 or 360 and put them vertically beside your stand?

Not enough room as the amp would be 17 inches wide where the X360 is 12.15 and PS3 is 12.8 inches. Next to moving my center channel off center that is.

Instead of having it sitting directly on top of the subwoofer (subjecting equipment to constant vibration typically isn't a good idea), what about finding some type of a modular component stand with slim, adjustable-height legs that can be placed right where the subwoofer is resting?

Constant vibrations? Good think I didn't get the Ultra then.

Good idea, I'll have to see what I can find that is still WAF.

[57]

Purchase or make a sturdy "shelf box" which would raise your TV enough to let you place your center channel under it, perhaps with the PS3 or 360 and then put the amp where the center & 360/PS3 were (at the side since it's heavy). Purchase new TV stand with 3 usable shelves and a top shelf for the TV.

Some TV stands have the option for adding a "post" onto the back to mount the TV to via a wall mount. Some "stand alone" TV posts can be purchased and the "foot" of that post would go under your existing stand.

Set the speaker settings in the AVR to small and forget about the amp.

[ScaryBob]

Not too sure what you want to accomplish with a power amp. That looks like a receiver on the bottom shelf so I am guessing you want more power. Maybe there are alternatives, like a new shelf unit or new receiver.

Most power amps do not need to be accessed directly so it could be placed out of the way. In any event, I would not place it on or even very near the sub. This is a difficult situation due to placement in the room. Many people who have a lot of components go to component racks. But then you need to find room for that. I, personally, try to keep the number of components to a minimum. There are good arguments for separate amps and preamps but a proliferation of components can be difficult to manage, especially with standard TV stands.

Edit: Maybe the sub could be moved?

[JohnnyCanuck]

There are very good reasons for a power amp, beyond simply the power. Generally speaking, there is no guarantee that you're getting a good amplifier inside of a receiver. The Marantz SR8001 has pretty good amplification, but I certainly ran my front left and right from a separate power amp (Rotel RB-1070) when I had an SR7002. Not for home theatre, but for music. The improvement in sound was noticeable.

I currently run my entire front stage using an Audio Refinement Multi-3 and let my Denon AVR power the surrounds only. The improvement in sound is noticeable, both for music and for home theatre (especially dialog).

If his purpose is power alone, I would question that because the SR8001 should have plenty of juice for those Monitors. If it's better amplification ... there is a good argument to be made.

[pharsyde]

Purchase or make a sturdy "shelf box" which would raise your TV enough to let you place your center channel under it, perhaps with the PS3 or 360 and then put the amp where the center & 360/PS3 were (at the side since it's heavy). Purchase new TV stand with 3 usable shelves and a top shelf for the TV.

yeah .. if you can utilize the top shelf, "your in". you could elevate with perferred (equal) sized nesting tables paired together for extra support in the middle. ..*just a suggestion. more accurately, i bought them months ago - right place, right time .. right price @ CT. have been quite useful and seems they will continue to be. but configuration has changed since (for initial application)

place CC on top shelf flanked by sources.

Some TV stands have the option for adding a "post" onto the back to mount the TV to via a wall mount. Some "stand alone" TV posts can be purchased and the "foot" of that post would go under your existing stand.

i bought this stand (with post to mount TV) .. @ costco before christmas. it's $ 30-$40 cheaper now. it's a whalen - sevilla (3 in 1 system) ..it has nice depth as well to mount my T955

IF, you wanted to make a change re: your TV stand - table with post included would be nice.

**nice component choices by the way

[Tom.F.1]

Nice setup!! I have the same TV. I put a shelf above/behind the TV for the center speaker, that way my center sound is 1" from the screen rather than 12" from the screen. That gives you more room on the shelf.
I also used 2 matching subs, put them under the towers to get them up off the floor. again, saved floorspace.
The window behind the TV prevents wall mounting, so you could put extenders up behind the TV.
And I agree with needing a real pwer amp, maybe someday...

[wantmorehd]

Thanks for the complements on my gear choices. Its always a work in progress. I've been very happy with my choices but I have the bug again, hence the new power amp idea (you may have seen my other thread).

I like the idea of trying to get the center channel up to the top shelf, that would make a big difference in space and possibly better sound (closer alignment to main speakers tweeters). I know putting the speaker on top of the tv would not get WAF approval as it was tough enough going from a 50" to 61" tv. Maybe I could try no center (easy enough to test)?

As to buying a new stand....we had a hard enough time finding this one. Since the tv is 61 inches it limited the options for what we were willing to pay. Found a lot for $2000 or more, very nice but no thanks.

I am going to look into the mount idea also.

[pharsyde]

I know putting the speaker on top of the tv would not get WAF approval as it was tough enough going from a 50" to 61" tv.

ahhh yes .... currently basking in my bachelor lifestyle ..looks like thats going to change however - soon.

hmmmmm....let's seeee .. new speakers or girlfriend ..


**gee... i'm going to miss her ..

[wantmorehd]

Adding another posible solution I thought of today.

Monitor Audio sells a speaker that may match up close enough to be used for a centre channel with my RS8's.

Current centre > http://www.monitoraudio.ca/support/p.../specification

R250HD > http://www.monitoraudio.ca/products/.../specification

With the lower profile I could place the R250HD on the top shelf in front of the tv (still need to measure to confirm) but this would free up some shelf space. Of course it would have to pass the home listening test.

[pharsyde]

example of shelf. as long as your 8" in height (to clear your current CC)
you can build (or get) it full length of your TV's stand mount. bracket (brace) full length (on the back) to sure it up, that's probably enough (as long as it's well made)

would elevating your TV 8" negatively affect your current viewing position (angle) ?

[HeaTransfer]

I think buying a new CC just to fit a power amp is making things unnecessarily complicated and expensive . Also, if you're planning to keep the amp on your TV stand, make sure that it can take the weight.

Can you just stick the power amp in an out-of-the-way place, such as BEHIND the speakers or sub? The sub is pretty damn deep, but could you move the sub closer to the listening position and tuck the power amp between it and the wall?

Though I agree that placing the amp directly on the sub is not a good idea, here's a weird one: what about a table that just fits over/around your sub, and place the PA on that? Not ideal, but better than placing it directly on your sub.

[wantmorehd]

would elevating your TV 8" negatively affect your current viewing position (angle) ?

I'm thinking that moving the TV up 8 inches higher might be too high considering it is a 61" TV. If it was only a 50" TV, I'd probably consider it.

I think buying a new CC just to fit a power amp is making things unnecessarily complicated and expensive

Won't argue that. I might try a phantom centre next time I watch a movie (if I remember to change it). Since my priorities are switching to music, I'm not watching as many movies and there just isn't as many great ones being made anymore (sound wise). Who knows, I may not even miss it that much.

Can you just stick the power amp in an out-of-the-way place, such as BEHIND the speakers or sub? The sub is pretty damn deep, but could you move the sub closer to the listening position and tuck the power amp between it and the wall?

I've thought about the table over the sub idea also. The trick would be finding something that matches the tv stand or doesn't stand out.

Sadly space is very limited even with pulling something out a bit.

Now if I got rid of the TV I'd have lots of room.