All my gear will have its own wooden shelf, but I'm wondering if there's any good "best practice" regarding the order (aka, "never put your amp near a ....")?

My sources are a dvd player, sat/tivo box, and the kids' Wii. My system is separates-based, so there'll be a pre/pro, and two amplifers. Finally, I'll also be hooking up a balanced power a/c unit (all my source gear and the pre/pro will be plugged in to that).

Thanks!

Depending on your power amplifier type, the amps dissipate best on top. If you use a pro pwr amp like a QSC or Crown then it does not matter as they have internal fans, not large heat sinks. The satellite receiver is good to have on top if your amps are internally, not air cooled. The majority in equipment placement is adequate spacing between components for ventilation.

Put the heavy equipment in the bottom of the rack?

I like to have the source components and Pre/Pro at waist level or higher for easy access to the disc trays and controls

Depending on your power amplifier type, the amps dissipate best on top.

Huh. I guess this is why they say the only stupid question is the one that isn't asked, because I never heard this before.

Actually, speaking to the other advice, I probably WOULD put the heaviest gear on bottom (the two SS amps) but for one issue -- my 2 year old son (not old enough yet to understand mortal threats). Those on/off buttons would be just a little too tempting.

I'm leaning towards putting the amps in the middle (to avoid it being top heavy), with the pre/pro (aka the volume......) above them, and the source gear (their Wii, the dvd player, and the satellite box) below the amps.

Anyway, in a nutshell, at first blush I'm thinking there'll be an amp right below my pre/pro, and the balanced power transformer right above it -- not sure if that placement could have any negative effect or not (the amps will be on their own dedicated circuit, btw).

If you have an open aired, not enclosed, then heat dissipation shouldn't be an issue. My power amps are on the 2 bottom shelfs, then my DVD & DVR are on the next shelf, then my equalizer, power conditioner & pre/pro share a shelf, and on the top is the motorola cable box(since it emits the most heat and it's easier to respond to the remote on the top).

My power Amps are on the bottom of the rack with open space above them. HTPC, Receiver, Laser Disk, VCR and Extron Switcher are all in the center of the rack to facilitate easy access. My two Dish Satellite receivers are at the top of the rack as they are all controlled by RF remotes and rarely need direct access. I wanted the remote antennas at the top of the rack for best coverage throughout the house. I have some blank rack panels that cover rack shelves that hold various interface boxes eg: component to RGBHV transcoder, External drives for HTPC etc. Probably could have done a few things different but it is major to make changes once everything is in place and cabled up.

..Doyle

don't put the power conditioner too high or too low that your cords don't reach (once fastened and guided)

don't put the power conditioner too high or too low that your cords don't reach (once fastened and guided)

Good advice.

Huh. I guess this is why they say the only stupid question is the one that isn't asked, because I never heard this before.

Actually, speaking to the other advice, I probably WOULD put the heaviest gear on bottom (the two SS amps) but for one issue -- my 2 year old son (not old enough yet to understand mortal threats). Those on/off buttons would be just a little too tempting.



My two year old knows how to work my equipment.

Is your rack easily moved? Mine is spiked & weighs more than 200lbs loaded. Makes moving it tough so I place the pre/pro at the top since it has the most connections. Makes hook up easier. Source components beneath that with the most frequently used on the highest shelf. Power conditioner on the bottom so the cords can be tucked under the rack. Power amps are in a different rack under the display.

Amps on bottom, Proccessing in the middle, Source on top.

That's how I've always done it.