Amp Stands - Wood or Stone

@jasonbourne71  you really can't hear a difference even with tube equipment , I find that hard to believe.

I am a long term Tube user, Phonostages, Pre-Amp, Power Amps and later down the line introduced a Valve DAC.

How these devices are mounted does make a difference, to how the end sonic is perceived.

It is possible to create a tidied up end sound or an end sound that is messy.

The used Tube Input / Output Phonostages and DAC's using Tubes are very sensitive to the structure they are mounted on, as well as the Sub Plinth or Configurations for a Sub Plinth they are seated upon.

Valve Pre Amp's are also susceptible to being able to produce variances in the end sound when on a structure that is not ideally suited. The Sub Plinth or Configurations for a Sub Plinth a Pre-Amp is seated upon will show how the Bass can be Loosened or Tightened, depending on materials selected to be used.

Out of all Tube Devices used by myself and experienced in use in other systems, Power Amp's are notable for not being subtle in showing a discernible difference in an end sound, depending on the structure selected. The Sub Plinth or Configurations for a Sub Plinth a Power Amp is seated upon, is able to produce a sound that excels the Amp. The looseness of a Bass Note and Decay is very easy to detect for having tightened up, as the Amp is placed on differing Structures and Sub Plinths.

I have evolved in my investigations over many years creating a Structure and Sub Plinth Supports.

In my experiences had, Racks work at their best when seated on their own Sub Plinth. Racks also improve substantially when rigidly coupled. Sub Plinths in my experiences are usually at their best when made up as a Tiers using a variety of separators. Bypassing the devices footers can have a much improved effect, is a good substitute footer is discovered.

Granite has been a go to for numerous years as a Tier Material, numerous Board Materials have been used, where the one that proved most impressive over all Board Types was a highly compressed PUR Foam board that had mechanical properties.

In recent years all board materials used, have now been met with a material that is Superseding them. The material is a Phenolic Resin Impregnated Densified Wood Board, such as the products from the Brand Panzerholz or Permali.

These materials are not to be overlooked, they are being used in Speakers and Turntables, and can be found as well as Sub Plinths.

Phenolic Resin Impregnated Densified Wood, is the clue, a search will assist with finding Brands that have variants of how it is seen as a finished product.

Dymond Wood Board is supplied with a large range of colours, it is unknown if all colours are available in a dimension that would be suitable as Sub Plinth.

Veneering a Board is also an option, it is seen as a Method used for P'holz in both TT Plinths and Speaker Cabinets (Kaiser Speakers - Tankwood).      

@pindac

Excellent contribution.

@gkelly 😊👍 Some folks simple self-discredit. No response necessary.

@testrun The only reason you need amp stands is to get the amps up off the carpet so that they ventilate correctly. I made a set just recently and used 8/4 walnut on spikes. You have to finish the wood which is more expensive than the wood. Stone is more difficult to mount spikes on, but does not need a finish. 

As far as sound quality goes it makes absolutely no difference. If it looks better to you it will sound better. So, by all means, pick what looks good to you. 

@mijostyn I'm surprised the "moderators" and people on here who swear by the materials used for amp stands are tolerating your opposing opinion.

I agree with you. I posted on this thread that I bet a person would fail a blind a/b test and was essentially attacked for having such an opinion. 

They scolded me, called me a "hustler", and removed my comments. Why?

For being a newbie and disagreeing with their claims.