not that weight has any particular significance in and of itself; my heavyweight champ so far has been the Levinson #33 monoblocks. they weighed 365 pounds each. i owned them for two years. more impressive to me was the magnificent industrial design and the 'commanding presense' that they visually projected. it doesn't take much skill to design something big and heavy.......but to make something that big and heavy that still looks 'right' is an achievement. they sounded pretty good too.....which was why i bought them in the first place. |
I had the Krell FPB 700cx which weighed about 165 lbs. I thought that was a monster till I got my Classe Omicron. The bax shipping ticket listed it at 282 lbs with the case. It took two people to move it when I had to adjust the placement in my listening room. I'm not sure I'd like to own the record holder, but I guess once it's in place there really is no need to move an amp. |
Tube Research Labs GT-800's 1240 pounds shipping weight. They are a 4 chassis design with seperate tube regulated power supply (235 pounds) for each amplifier chassis (205 pounds). More info at http://www.tuberesearchlabs.com/products/gt800.htm Jack |
So - What do you use as an amp stand? Concrete blocks? Actually I did make amp stands from concrete blocks. I bolted 2X8's to the open ends and glued down small sections of anti-fatigue rubber matt to the top and bottom. Painted em' black. You may be able to see them on my system page. But even heavier still is the industrial Vibra-Stat platform you can see my preamp and CD/DAC. That stand is made of steel and lead and weighs about 300 lbs and is suspended on springs like small shock absorbers. It is ment for vibration control in laboratory conditions. Way overkill for the purpose it now serves...more of a conversation piece. I had to move it recently and let me tell you, it's makes the concrete blocks look mighty appealing! Marco |
The Shoreline 800s also come to mind, although no weight is stated. |
"...Electronluv 45-845 monoblocks, about 145lbs each. Electronluv preamp, 2-piece (outboard power supply chassis), about 140lbs total for the 2 pieces. Coincidentally they are also of course the best I have heard too." That is some interesting equipment(!?!). The speakers are the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen in a home. Personally, I dont care how good they sound...even if I didn't have to pay for them*, I would not put those in my home unless my home happened to be Hearst Castle or similar. Actually, they would fit right in if you were the 'Mad Hatter' or the witch from 101 Dalmations...Cruella DeVille (?). No wait, those are Tom Petty's, right? Would 20 guage be alright on those? lol. *Of course, I really would, then sell them and get something else... |
How do you move a 365lbs amplifier? you don't. you have the dealer move it (i mean them....BOTH of them) in and out. my 250 pound son and i could slide it around on the carpet a little but even that was difficult. actually, you load it onto it's crate bottom......then attach the sides and top....then either get two hefty guys with an oversized handtruck or two piano dollys. i also own a 600 pound turntable......which i can move quite easily once it is disassembled. it's heaviest piece is about 275 pounds. my last speakers weighed 565 pounds each....but were actually very easy for two people to pack into crates and then slide two piano dollys under. my current monoblock amps weigh about 110 pounds each and perform a good deal better than the Levinson #33's. in general, the best audio gear has some mass to it since the best power supplies are typically quite heavy and resonance control usually involves the use of mass to some degree. but size and weight are only attributes when contributing to the whole...not as a goal in themselves. |
