WestminsterLab Re-imagining Amplification

[Robifabs]

Hi guys,

Just a quick question: I am in the process of rethinking my rack and am reaching the physical limits of my current set-up. Can’t really push the walls any further.

Looking forward I might want to follow the pioneers of bridged REIs who are wonderfully cruising this thread (congrats and many thanks!!).

This would translate into a significant shelf space challenge unless I can place the 2 pairs on top of one another (without a proper shelf in-between).

I naturally suspect the recommendation is a side by side set-up (as portrayed in most set-up pictures I have seen so far if not all of them), but if I had to go for a vertical set-up:
- would I lose most of the gains of bridging 2 sets ?
- is there any strong technical counter-indication?
- or at the contrary, have the REI been designed to enable such set-up?
- etc…?

Thanks in advance for any contribution!

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...if I really *had* to stack them for some reason, I think I would build some sort of "mini-rack" I could place inside the main rack. That would give them a bit of isolation and room for airflow, and prevent any cosmetic scratches from stacking. With a little time searching, you could probably find a small rack/shelf/box that would work, even if you had to remove the back for cables.

 

[dbeau]

...if I really *had* to stack them for some reason, I think I would build some sort of "mini-rack" I could place inside the main rack. That would give them a bit of isolation and room for airflow, and prevent any cosmetic scratches from stacking. With a little time searching, you could probably find a small rack/shelf/box that would work, even if you had to remove the back for cables.

Good advice as I am considering REI and also wondered about what if a sencond pair thereafter in my limited rack space.
Another thought is placing the stock feet on other footers (EVP) to gain height for air flow.
I hope Westminster reps will jump in on this.

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...I have not tried it myself, but have considered EVPs on the Reis. I like the EVPs very much and use elsewhere. They would probably give a sufficient "heigh-gap" as well as prevent scratches with the felt versions. Even simpler than a shelf = good idea. Maybe adjacent to the stock feet?

 

[mxk116]

Good advice as I am considering REI and also wondered about what if a sencond pair thereafter in my limited rack space.
Another thought is placing the stock feet on other footers (EVP) to gain height for air flow.
I hope Westminster reps will jump in on this.

I currently use AV Roomservice EVPs under the existing footers of my WL Rei amps and Quest preamp. I do not stack the Rei amps (I do not use them in bridged mode but will add a second pair in the future). Along with RevOPods, I find the AV Roomservice products among the preferred products I use for component isolation.

The EVPs work well with the Rei amps but one must account for the fact that the front footer on the Rei amp supports (in my estimation, I have not measured this directly) ~ 60% of the weight of the amp. The massive transformer used in the Rei lies predominantly over the single front brass hemispheric footer. Therefore the 2 rear footers carry a fraction of that weight. EVPs are ordered based upon the weight they are required to support. Since the weight of the Rei is disproportionately distributed over the front footer, this must be accounted for when ordering. Otherwise the performance of the EVP will be compromised and one might risk crushing the front EVP if not matched properly to the mass it is supporting.

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...interesting point of information @mxk116

Those evps come in a weight *range* so I will revisit that aspect, with regards to weight distribution, before I set them up. Cheers.

 

[dbeau]

I currently use AV Roomservice EVPs under the existing footers of my WL Rei amps and Quest preamp. I do not stack the Rei amps (I do not use them in bridged mode but will add a second pair in the future). Along with RevOPods, I find the AV Roomservice products among the preferred products I use for component isolation.

The EVPs work well with the Rei amps but one must account for the fact that the front footer on the Rei amp supports (in my estimation, I have not measured this directly) ~ 60% of the weight of the amp. The massive transformer used in the Rei lies predominantly over the single front brass hemispheric footer. Therefore the 2 rear footers carry a fraction of that weight. EVPs are ordered based upon the weight they are required to support. Since the weight of the Rei is disproportionately distributed over the front footer, this must be accounted for when ordering. Otherwise the performance of the EVP will be compromised and one might risk crushing the front EVP if not matched properly to the mass it is supporting.View attachment 144807

True but maybe not too significant as each REI weighs in at only about 33#. Maybe a greater problem would be the placement on bottom REI over the air vents. IDK. I might get a couple of REIs/Quest in two weeks to trial and do have EVPs under current monos to try. Best

 

[gleeds]

Hi guys,

Just a quick question: I am in the process of rethinking my rack and am reaching the physical limits of my current set-up. Can’t really push the walls any further.

Looking forward I might want to follow the pioneers of bridged REIs who are wonderfully cruising this thread (congrats and many thanks!!).

This would translate into a significant shelf space challenge unless I can place the 2 pairs on top of one another (without a proper shelf in-between).

I naturally suspect the recommendation is a side by side set-up (as portrayed in most set-up pictures I have seen so far if not all of them), but if I had to go for a vertical set-up:
- would I lose most of the gains of bridging 2 sets ?
- is there any strong technical counter-indication?
- or at the contrary, have the REI been designed to enable such set-up?
- etc…?

Thanks in advance for any contribution!

Robifabs,
Sorry for the slow reply. Just back from a family holiday. At 4X, the power heat generation is increased considerably over a single pair. Allow me to speak with Angus this evening, and I'll reply as soon as I have the answer. I have considered such an arrangement but have no experience yet trying this configuration for more than a brief demo. Back to you soon.

 

[gleeds]

Robifabs,
Sorry for the slow reply. Just back from a family holiday. At 4X, the power heat generation is increased considerably over a single pair. Allow me to speak with Angus this evening, and I'll reply as soon as I have the answer. I have considered such an arrangement but have no experience yet trying this configuration for more than a brief demo. Back to you soon.

Thanks to Markus Barkus and MX116 for their suggestions. What I'm after from Angus is the recommneded air space between the amplifiers. Once known, a simple correctly size shelf as suggested should do the trick.

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...by the way @gleeds the VR50s sounded fab powered by four Reis and the Quest at New Life Audio Friday. I brought along a couple more old-time audio pals for the demo, and they thought the sound was terrific. Very natural. Whoah... very deep sound-stage. The Westy set-up is sooo clean. Lumin and Rockna front-end were also very nice. I did not miss my Olympus at all for the demo. Thanks for helping Shawn get sorted out with the second set of Reis and cables. Primo set-up.