This sounds like a fun project! I don't have a Rachael, but do have a Mini Torii. One of the plusses of these amps is the ability to roll from multiple power tubes. Some possibilities utilize an adapter (I think the 807 is a popular tube for Rachael) and are coke bottle shaped. This means they are quite a bit larger than a standard EL34. The rectifier can also be rolled to some "taller" variants.

If there is any possibility you will tube roll, I would account for that and likely go with a 16in space between shelves. Hopefully someone with a Rachael that has used either power or rectifier tubes with an adapter can give you a more exact measure needed for clearance. Good luck!

I'll second what chapsjon said.  I run 807s with an adaptor in Rachael and they add a full 6" off the amp deck so if plan on rolling these 12" might be a bit 'tight'.  How about putting her on the top shelf of the stand instead?  Just a thought.

ChrisC

Coqui - We have our Rachael and all our other Decware components in a rack, with the amp at about knee height. The spacing where the amp resides is exactly 12'' and I use 807's with Maximatcher adaptors. The ZP3 and CSP3 live on a shelf with 9'' spacing...plenty of room. When I was putting the whole rack/gear plan together I went down a little rabbit hole about the heat and all. My wife donated the LR closet for the rack and it's worked out great. I can change tubes in any component without hassle, clean, move things if needed. Even in sunny (sometimes) Santa Cruz mountains the temp in the rack is never excessive. You are going to love the amp when it arrives and settles in. Happy listening, Chris.

Ramon - It sounds like it's going to be great, sturdy rack, post some pics when you get it done (and of course when Rachael comes to stay). Our Decware gear drives our Omega system wonderfully, listening to Peter Gabriel's I/O right now.
These forums are to me a great place to get info, ask my questions, laugh and meet like minded music lovers...cause that's why we do this. I am so glad to have found Steve and the Decware team so may years ago, the products allowed me to get off the ''gear of the month/year'' cycle and just buy music. Keep us posted and happy listening sir, Chris.

Hi Ramon,
I have a Rachael in a 10" high space in a home made rack and have not had any problems with overheating. The amp has 1.75" of clearance above the rectifier tube and if I place my hand on the bottom of the shelf above the tube it is warm not hot. I used to use a fan blowing in thru the open side of the rack but no longer see a need for it. My rack is made of .75" cherry. I don't do any tube rolling. If I did I might need more clearance. I tried posting a picture but it doesn't seem to allow me since I don't have many posts.
Regards,
Jim

Coqui,
My shelves are spaced approx. 10"+ at the bottom, this allows about 2" clearance from top of rect tube to bottom of middle shelf. The area around the "Rachael" is warm not hot. I do minimal tube rolling and do not use any adapters. As you can see from the pix I have plenty of clearance around all components. I had the shelf built by "TimberNation" a few years back.

Good luck with the build,
Tim D.

It's been awhile since I've run the "Rachaels" independently, so I'm going off memory. I like listening to my music at around 60db maxing out at around 80db or so, with the amps bridged to mono I have enough volume in reserve should I need it before clipping. Plus, should one of the amps be out of service, I'll not be without music.
Tim D.