Safe to stack electronics, which ones?

Laura Palmer
Laura Palmer Posts: 124
edited March 2008 in Electronics
Hello everyone :)

I'm a little concerned about which electronics are safe to stack. Obviously I can't stack a CSi5 on a DVD player, but is it too damaging to stack an Xbox, on top of a VCR, on top of a DVD player, etc.. Is there a rule of thumb I should follow?

I know that if I get 2 of the the Outlaw 200 M-Blocks that I can stack them on top of each other, but can I stack a DVD player and stuff on top of it, or does it need room to breathe?

I know my HK635 should definetely have room to breathe so I probably won't put anything at all on top of it.

I guess I'd like to stack the Outlaws on top of the HTS 3500 but that's putting 36 lbs (between the two) on top of a 4.9lb power center and I don't want to crush it.

Another thing I was curious about was the center channel, is it safe to sit on a glass shelf? Or will the vibrations in the speaker be problematic on a glass shelf? What about the HK receiver, same thing?

I hope I didn't embarass myself with these idiotic questions =)
Post edited by Laura Palmer on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited April 2005
    The old saying, idiotic questions are the ones you do not ask.

    It has always been my opinion that investing in quality equipment is two-fold. One, I want it sound good and two; I want it to look good. That is why all my equipment is black. For me, it works. My speakers (all 5) are all the same colour. For me, it works. That is why I invested in some Plateau audio/video stands. One, I want to provide adequate space for airflow and I want it to look good. Not for others, for me. The Plateau stand currently is 4 levels (AVR, CPD, AMP, and Turntable) and is EXPANDABLE. Great for wanting to added another level or two down the road.

    I have invested thousands of dollars in my equipment, so spending a few hundred of dollars for the storage of this equipment makes sense. The China collection my wife has (and I guess me too) is worth thousands & thousands of dollars. It just made sense to store those pieces in a nice looking cabinet. Oh, it protects them also. If it was me, I would purchase a nice piece of furniture (whether it be wood, metal or whatever) that would look good in the current room, yet be extremely mobile in the sense that I could move the entire setup to another room. Potential expandabiltiy is a nice feature as well.

    Good luck and hope this helped.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited April 2005
    I have been running 3 Outlaw M200's stacked with no problems. I probably wouldn't recommend stacking them on top the power center, unless the metal top of the power center is much sturdier than normal. It's nice to have good cabinets/racks for your equipment, but also expensive. A cheap trick I use when stacking components to get more air circulation is to go to Hobby Lobby and buy the wooden toy wheels in 1.5" x .5" thick and 2" x .75" thick, paint them flat black, spray with a satin acrylic sealer, then put sticky back foam (8.5" x 11" sheets at Walmart for $.99) on both sides, and use them as spacers under the feet of the components. Works great and doesn't look too bad. I recently added the .5" thick spacers between my Outlaw M200 amps just to make sure I had plenty of air circulation.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,399
    edited April 2005
    Stack Er' Two

    5 Amps stacked on top of one another...

    VCR on top of the Receiver...

    DVDP on top of the CDP

    VCR/DVDP/CDP all dont produce alot of heat

    Receiver/Amps do - nice to give them room to breathe IF YOU CAN
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited April 2005
    Laura, give the amps & receiver breathing room. You can stack cd player, vcr, dvd, tape decks

    I have my monoblock, dvd & vcr stacked together. But I made sure the mono was on top & I will never put anything on top of it.

    Cathy
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Laura Palmer
    Laura Palmer Posts: 124
    edited April 2005
    Terrific. thank you everyone for your help.

    In fact I just bought a stand today that I think will suit my needs for my center channel and receiver, so now I just need a component rack for the rest of my components.

    I can't wait to get everything setup!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dustradio
    dustradio Posts: 78
    edited January 2008
    I Always Stack The Video Stuff Togather And Try To Isolate Athe Audio Stuff Togather. Seems To Really Work Better.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2008
    I am sure Laura found that post really helpful.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited January 2008
    I wouldn't stack anything on top of a receiver, amp, or cable box. IMO, they get too hot and need the room to breathe.

    However, I stack CDPs, DVDPs, and other source components because they don't generate a lot of heat...and are usually lighter.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jmwest1970
    jmwest1970 Posts: 846
    edited January 2008
    ...talk about digging up old threads. It almost made 3 years. :rolleyes:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2008
    I wonder whatever happened to Laura? I guess she got a life..that or ran off with the Twin Peaks midget.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited January 2008
    Watching the guys here stumble over themselves to reply to her first posts on the forum was hilarious. She would ask the same questions that usually went ignored when asked, and guys would post on top of each other parroting their usual fodder........fun times.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2008
    I was wondering who dug this up... Someone PM her and see if she answers. Ask her how the stacking went!
    Jake
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited February 2008
    So, just to clarify, Outlaw M200's safe to stack?(only 2 high)
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BaggedLancer
    BaggedLancer Posts: 6,371
    edited February 2008
    obieone wrote: »
    So, just to clarify, Outlaw M200's safe to stack?(only 2 high)

    Yes.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited February 2008
    Wow oldie but a goodie!

    Here ya go Dennis. The response to Laura's first post! ROTFLMAO!!!

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26546
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited February 2008
    Thank you!
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,952
    edited February 2008
    Wow. What a thread.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited February 2008
    It was a riot wasn't it! LOL!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited February 2008
    Hey, does anyoe know where I can buy black paint?
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2008
    jakelm wrote: »
    Hey, does anyone know where I can buy black paint?
    I think you forgot to add this:D But if you are actually being serious I would try the black paint store ,they usually stock it.;)
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BottomFeeder
    BottomFeeder Posts: 1,684
    edited March 2008
    Maybe a dumb question but, as they say, the only dumb question is an unasked question. So here goes...

    Will it hurt my cdp if I stack my NAD C320Bee on top of it? One of the legs of the NAD sits squarely on top of where the tray is on the cdp. It plays fine, but...any problems?

    Thanks!
    "Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited March 2008
    As long as the cdp doesn't have any vents to block & stop air flow, stack away.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited March 2008
    I have my AVR stacked on top of a CDP, but I wouldn't do it the other way around as the AVR gets very hot.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BottomFeeder
    BottomFeeder Posts: 1,684
    edited March 2008
    Righteeoo then!

    Right now and w/my set up, it just makes sense to position my gear this way.

    So thanks for the quick answer!
    "Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • skipf
    skipf Posts: 694
    edited March 2008
    Is it OK to stack my turntable on top of my subwoofer?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rike255
    Rike255 Posts: 131
    edited March 2008
    ^I would think no. That's a lot of vibrations, and your equipment may not be built to withstand it. Especially over time, it could break a solder joint or something.
    Polk Audio RTi8 Fronts
    Polk Audio CSi A6 Center
    Polk Audio RTi A3 Surrounds
    Polk Audio PSW505 Subwoofer
    Onkyo TX-SR805
    Sony Bravia V5100 46"
    Sony Playstation 3 160GB
    Sony Playstation 3 120GB Slim
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter