Secrets has had some recent discussions in the Forum about the weight of some of the new power amplifiers, and how many of them are really monsters that are hard to move around.

Several years ago, I obtained a McIntosh MC-602, which weighs 155 pounds. In moving it around the floor, I tore some cartilage in my shoulder that resulted in two years of recovery.

At that point, I still had to move the MC-602 around the lab because we are constantly testing new equipment. It is just part of the deal in reviewing products.

Obviously, I was very afraid of tearing the shoulder cartilage again.

I looked around at various amplifier stands, and most of them stated a maximum weight capability of 85 pounds or so.

Then I chanced on a website for Tyler Acoustics, which has a line of speakers, but they also custom build amplifier stands.

The MC-602 is not only heavy, but big. However, Tyler simply builds the stands for each individual amplifier, using the spec sheet from the amplifier manufacturer. So, I ordered one for the MC-602 which is about 19" x 20". The amplifier feet are an inch or so in from the edge, so I could have ordered the stand to be just outside the feet, meaning the stand would be recessed in from the edge of the amplifier. But, I decided that I wanted to have the stand exactly the same size as the width and depth of the MC-602, so I ordered it that way. After all, this is what custom design is for.

The stand arrived, and I could still smell the six coats of black satin lacquer, so I let it sit on the floor for a week to make sure the finish was completely dry and hard. I had someone help me put the MC-602 on the stand, and from that first moment of using the brass handle on the front of the stand (I ordered it that way, as it does not ordinarily come with a handle), I was delighted at how much easier it was to move the amplifier across the lab's carpeted floor. It still takes some effort, but no torn shoulder cartilage. The stand can come with feet, but I ordered mine with brass-colored castors (photo at right), which are heavy duty, and the entire structure is massive enough to hold any amplifier out there.

The stand is made of three sheets of 1" MDF that are glued together and routed along the edges for a nice appearance. The Tyler Acoustics logo sits unobtrusively just above the handle, and does not show up in the photos.

Here is a photo of the MC-602 on the stand in our test lab.

To me, this amplifier stand is nice enough to be in any living room, as it matches the amplifier in size and color (they will custom paint it another color if you like). You can have them put the handle on the rear if you don't want it to be seen, but in our lab, I am only concerned about function, and I don't want to have to go around back and move the amplifier from the rear. Of course, you don't have to put a handle on there at all, but I do suggest you have one. It will make things much easier for moving it out of the way to dust the floor underneath.

I like it so much, I bought another one for our new McIntosh MC-1201 Monoblock Power Amplifier (1200 watts RMS into 2, 4, or 8 Ohms, 147 pounds).

For $199 plus shipping (about $30 from the East Coast to the West Coast), the Tyler Acoustics Amplifier Stand is a tremendous bargain. It is superbly built, will hold any of those heavy power amplifiers, and will make your home theater life much easier, not to mention save your aging body from self destruction.

 

- John E. Johnson, Jr. -