Stacking Components

[itschris]

I just got my new blu-ray player and I'm trying to figure out how to make everything fit in my BDI cabinet. The Pio Elite 94 takes up a lot of real estate because it's on it's own and I've given it the requisite 2-4 inches all around it.

But I was thinking... I'm not using the amp section. I'm just using it as a preamp so do I really need to be that concerned about heat? If I could just put my CD changer on top of the Receiver, I think everything would fit just perfect. Is that just horrible to even think about doing that?

 

[fmw]

I wouldn't foresee a problem. I have a 92 and it runs as cool as a cucumber, amps and all. You may want to put some thick feet between the two items or even put the changer underneath the receiver. Try it and see how it goes.

 

[Rickster71]

Hi Chris, as you know, we have the same BDI cabinet.

I have my Integra 8.3 on the bottom, then about 3 to 4" of space. Next is the upper shelf with my Integra DVD/CD changer. I use the amp section and have no heat problems.

I'd check to see how warm it gets, first. That will tell you if you can place something directly on top of it.

The Preamp section alone, doesn't really heat much.

 

[Adam]

I agree with Rick - feel how warm it gets first. I use my Pioneer 1015 as a pre-amp only, and the thing still gets very warm. Just an example...I know that they are different models.

 

[itschris]

Thanks guys. I'll give it a shot. I'm gonna tear apart my entire setup tonight and redo everything.

One thng I really need to do is rename the inputs better. One odd thing about the 94 that no one has yet been able to explain to me in a way that I can understand is that when you cycle through the inputs of the 94, you get all the pre-named ones like BD, L Disc, DVD, CD, etc, but then you get HDMI 1, 2, 3, and 4. I don't get that. The other ones are sources and you pick the input... for instance I hooked up my Oppo to to HDMI 2 and setup the DVD input to use HDMI2. Why are HDMI inputs listed as well as the source? When you scroll through the inputs you get DVD (set to HDMI2) but after that you'll see HDMI2 on the input list. That's just weird and I don't get the relation for that.

If you have any insight, feel free to share. But anyway, thanks for the advice on the stack. It'll make my life a lot easier if I can do that.

 

[itschris]

This actually worked out well. I put the changeer on the bottom, the Pio on top of that (my Adcom cd changer is an absolute tank) and the Sony on top of the Pio. The Sony is only about a 1/3 as deep as the receiver so it's not blocking any venting. For kicks, I put the Oppo on top of the Sony so I have a nice little stack.

 

[Rickster71]

This actually worked out well. I put the changeer on the bottom, the Pio on top of that (my Adcom cd changer is an absolute tank) and the Sony on top of the Pio. The Sony is only about a 1/3 as deep as the receiver so it's not blocking any venting. For kicks, I put the Oppo on top of the Sony so I have a nice little stack.

Glad to hear it worked out.

A question about your BDI: I never installed the backs on my cabinet; did you?

Rick

 

[itschris]

No I didn't. There's just waaaaay too much wires and what not. All the speaker cable, the cable/cable, router and stuff is just too much. Most of my cable is big and fat and longer than it should be. Almost all my interconnects are 6ft. They're Monster M1000 (purchased years ago) and along with the BJ HDMI cables I have, it's all just not very flexible.

Funny though, each component had a dust line on it a couple of inches deep depending on where back of the equipment actually sits. Dust is amazing. My cabinet is literally against the wall and it still gets all over everything in back.