Audio Stand vs. Floor

[StrawberryNatto]

It seems the large majority of hi-fi system owners keep their gear on some form of stand/rack. But occasionally, I'll come across a review or photos which shows an owners components placed on an iso-platform on the ground.

 

I'm curious to know if there's any benefit to this almost ground placement or if it's merely an aesthetic appeal.

[pooger]

Generally, I'll bet it's amps that you'll see on floor platforms. This gets done to shorten the length of amp to speaker cables, and also because some amps are just too big and/or heavy to put up in a rack. Especially if mono amps are being used.

[NOMBEDES]

As pooger states (supra) some amplifiers are just too heavy to rack.

 

Note: I bet there are not very many people who know what Natto is. (are you posting from Japan?) (if so lucky you)

[StrawberryNatto]

Generally, I'll bet it's amps that you'll see on floor platforms. This gets done to shorten the length of amp to speaker cables, and also because some amps are just too big and/or heavy to put up in a rack. Especially if mono amps are being used.

 

Yea, most of the time I've seen it, it is with bigger block mono amps. But I have seen some examples where it was the whole system on 3-4 platforms (spiked/footered) - monos, pre, dac, mac, etc.

 

Would there be any potentially equipment/sound damaging effect for this style placement? I would guess someone might say something about static electricity or something with the cabling, etc?

[StrawberryNatto]

As pooger states (supra) some amplifiers are just too heavy to rack.

 

Note: I bet there are not very many people who know what Natto is. (are you posting from Japan?) (if so lucky you)

 

I think the less who know what natto is, the more happier people we'll have in the world. Oh god, I can't stomach the stuff (yea, I'm in Japan).

[pooger]

 

Would there be any potentially equipment/sound damaging effect for this style placement? I would guess someone might say something about static electricity or something with the cabling, etc?

 

There'd generally be the advantage of keeping all of the cables as short as possible. But I think that being near the floor, close to speakers, would subject equipment to airborne and floor vibrations that would be detrimental. I prefer having my equipment, at least source electronics, in another room, as isolated from vibrations as possible.

[Audio_ELF]

One reason for doing it may be that the user wants to put the system in a convenient location (between the speakers) while not wanting a tower which can distort the sound stage.

 

Eloise

[Raym87]

Just looked up 'Natto'. I think I'll pass this time. Does it taste as bad as it looks?

[mav52]

One reason for doing it may be that the user wants to put the system in a convenient location (between the speakers) while not wanting a tower which can distort the sound stage.

 

Eloise

"while not wanting a tower which can distort the sound stage"

 

Huh ? is this speakers or a audio stand ? just trying to understand what your getting at

[Audio_ELF]

"while not wanting a tower which can distort the sound stage"

 

Huh ? is this speakers or a audio stand ? just trying to understand what your getting at

You're right that didn't make much sense... It should have said a "tower of equipment" which maybe still doesn't make sense.

 

In other words... It's often said that having a rack / cabinet in between speakers destroys the soundstage / imaging. Having the HiFi on/close to floor would remove (most) of that issue while still allowing it to be conveniently located between the speakers.

 

Eloise

[mav52]

You're right that didn't make much sense... It should have said a "tower of equipment" which maybe still doesn't make sense.

 

In other words... It's often said that having a rack / cabinet in between speakers destroys the soundstage / imaging. Having the HiFi on/close to floor would remove (most) of that issue while still allowing it to be conveniently located between the speakers.

 

Eloise

Now I understand. I think it really depends on the rack/audio equipment tower and where it's located between the speakers. Most of my equipment is "behind the speakers", since the speakers operate best about 2ft off the wall. I did try before hand to just have speakers on one wall with my equipment on another but I would rather keep my cabling distance short.

[Audio_ELF]

Mostly I think its about aesthetics and how the room works best. As well as things like weight of amplifiers and other practical concerns.

[freesteve]

As pooger states (supra) some amplifiers are just too heavy to rack.

 

Note: I bet there are not very many people who know what Natto is. (are you posting from Japan?) (if so lucky you)

 

MY gf swears by Natto... more people should be truly aware of this health delicacy...

[osd1]

I vote for stand, but that's because I am a woodworker and I like building audio cabinets.

[PewterTA]

The main reason that people do it, whether they even realize it or not not, is that when you use iso platform, most likely some type of cork, rubber, metal spiking, has to do with vibration dampening. You speakers give off a lot of vibrations that typical can be carried through the ground to the amp/equipment... so why not take some of that vibration out of the equation...so people dampen then. I have all my equipment sitting on platforms with rubber, cork, rubber pads and whether it made a difference or not...well I *think* it did something...but there's no true way to prove the sound is better.

[DigiPete]

Actives are not cluttered by towers of stuff ;-)

 

I abstain.