Have you tried gloves? I put on leather gloves before I pick up the big boys.
A pleading request to manufacturers of amplifiers and preamplifiers.
At this time I would like to make a pleading request to manufacturers of audio electronics. Please in the name of all that is holy stop putting sharp heatsinks on the outside of your devices. In the decades that I have been involved in this hobby the collected skin that has been carved from my toes, ankles, fingers, hands, wrists, forearms, etc. is equal to the combined weight of a professional football team. The blood I have lost could have saved the lives of 100 hemophiliacs. I have come to fear my own devices as if they were the vampires or werewolves of legends. Can you not round the edges, put covers over them or locate them inside the case? Freddie Krueger has not inflicted as much carnage as the combined horror of all this equipment. The combination of 50 lbs. of transformer weight and 6 square feet of rabid heatsink is a guarantee of laceration when moving any of these monsters. So if anyone out there can hear me I am begging, pleading, will pay for, changes to this abominable practice of covering your products with ravening metal blades lusting after our flesh.Thank you.
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Also, could you make them lighter? I have fractured every bone in my body just trying to lift one Mark Levinson (or was it Krell?) whatever it was the pile of broken bones would make the killing fields of Cambodia seem like chicken dinner leftovers. And could you make them cost less? The money spent on audio could have repaid the national debt ten times over. The Fed itself could not afford these prices. And could you make them easier to use? Tony Stark tried to help one time, even he was stumped! |
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I tried to make a humorous post but seriously my gear slashed me again today and just 2 weeks ago the same.. I have a few well designed amps, the PS Audio HCA 2 has everything inside and the Aragon amps come to mind for good safe design. My current RE Designs LNPA 150's are like bare knives. At least the tube stuff is safe when it is off and the tubes aren't hot. I own at least 7 power amps at this time ( I know it's a disease, don't rub it in) and a third of them are torture devices. I've been wounded by Krells and Mark Levinson, Nelson Pass and Counterpoint. You name it I've been cut by it. At least my tube amps don't bite.Look at these MOFO's. https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649582178-re-designs-lnpa-150-monoblocks-deluxe-version-with... |
Now check this one out. The fins are enclosed. Never got injured and moved it many times. http://rockfordfosgateamp.net/2021/02/02/rare-rockford-fosgate-rf2000-amp-old-school-home-audio-mosf... |
Even my current custom SET amp has sharp fins. https://www.facebook.com/pierre.menard.7374/posts/1168518823604957 |
Mercy with kids around you couldn't stay out of the emergency with that one. I can't EVER remember getting cut. I'm not kidding either. Mechanics and cuts go together BUT dash work was a killer for me when my forearms would get to big.. Go get the scrawny apprentice. Every HD mechanic was the same. Get the runt... See if you can fish that hose through there, pull back a bloody stump, through his coveralls. Apprenticeships are tough... :-) Regards |
@shashanka Look at the bright side. Those heat sinks are also theft deterrents from burglars. Also serve to discourage curious house animals. Additionally, they are a Darwinian selection mechanism for your children, at least those who are smart enough to avoid your equipment and survive. Fortunately (or unfortunately, as the case may be) wives and girlfriends are smart enough not to touch your gear with those heat sinks, or attempt to move it around. But here are some suggestions for you: go to Home Depot and get a pair of work gloves. Then go to Dick’s Sporting goods and get a pair of catchers or soccer shin guards. If you think it necessary you can also get a catchers chest protector. Just don’t let your significant other see you dressed like this when moving your gear. You may avoid an ER visit. But you may be asked to attend a therapy appointment. |
I tried to make a humorous post but seriously my gear slashed me again today and just 2 weeks ago the same.. My advice, do NOT go into classic cars! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6ryP1-QyvI |
Looking for a power amp that has no heat sinks, no sharp edges, doesn't break the bank and is small and lightweight? I have one for you. The three tubes get hot...hey you can't have everything. It has one input, a power switch and a volume control. No instructions required. No power cord included so those of you who like the "fancier" cables can choose your own. I have one in my living room cranking out tunes right now. So here it is: https://www.tubedepot.com/products/tubecube-7-stereo-vacuum-tube-amplifier It does play nice with vintage tubes. I am using a Raytheon 12ax7 black plate on the input tube and a pair of RCA 8bq5 power tubes (6bq5 with an 8volt heater). I also have a pair of Amperex 8bq5 tubes. |
Try one of these: https://benchmarkmedia.com/collections/all-products/products/benchmark-ahb2-power-amplifier 12.5 pounds, rounded edges, simple to use, with some of the best specs ever measured on a power amp. Footprint similar to a sheet of letter-sized paper. $2999 new. |
Grow up all of you and act like adults. What do you all cut meat with?? Do you want to buy safe knifes? My KRS200s with dozens of blade-like fins all around are potentially lethal, plus they weigh 200lb each. I've moved them single-handed to (re)install four times and in more than 30 years not cut myself once walking past. Just be a bit careful. |
I double that one Erik, but in a nice way also.. LOL clumsy OAF. Just kidding, the OAF part.. :-) I’m thinkin’ watch the sauce consumption too. You aren’t mustering up the gumption by consuming a little liquid courage are you.. the two don’t mix.. Blown disk are part of the trade, never met a mechanic that didn’t wind up with at least two or three. The rest were in TOTAL denial, or change trades before a permanent fusions occur naturally or by doctors.. Me I have 3 in the lower 2 in my neck.. 200 lb amps, ONE HANDED..No problem..in my hayday.. JUST FOR YOU WORLD.. Where’s my Roller? Chauffeur Please... A life of prize fighting injuries with no prize, YUP.. Just for the love of it.. The love of Pete... Regards |
"...Russ69Can I put gloves on my shins? Seriously if you pick those up the fins are going to face something soft, add that to the 50 pounds or more that you are wrangling..." 50 pounds, that's a light weight amp. Try 100 pounds while duck walking it 10 feet. I sold my big Mac 402 amp recently, I made the buyer move it, I've never felt better. |
David Hafler got the message. I was a Hafler dealer and I loved the sound of the products, esp. the MOSFET power amp the DH200. I still use 2 of them. But we complained about the very sharp* fins so the biggest improvement (IMHO) was the beautifully rounded heatsinks on the DH220. I have 5 of those and they are all still warming up my home theater. The MOSFETS do run hot. Reliable... of the 7 amps (35-38 years old in use 40-60 hours/week) only one issue occurred. A defective fuse. NOT blown, the fuse wire became detached from an end cap. * VERY sharp. I assembled over 20 of these for one project and still have painful memories of having to move them out to the client’s home. |
*L* For those of us on blood thinners, I can relate to these tales of woe... Fortunately, my current (no pun, no) amp doesn't have exposed heat sinks....and at 50+ lbs., isn't going to be moved in the near future. And, also fortunately, I clot quick. Which is why the thinners, so there's an ongoing battle within my hemoglobin system... I'd suggest welder's gloves; thicker than typ. leather. Although I've been advised that a racoon can bite through them. If your PA is like a cranky racoon, well....you're screwed. Go to stainless clam shucking gloves with an overlay of leather for grip.... Or hire a young relative whose not afraid to die....*LOL* |
An OB/GYN is indicated. |