You’re most welcome to bring your gear in person of course. You can meet Angus too!
The keys to packing are: Cushioning & lack of internal movement.
For larger of units I suggest you consider a Pelican travel case and some number type combination locks. One possible model number is 1630 in the “pick and pluck” foam version. Make sure the interior dimensions can accommodate your gear. Cardboard is just not strong enough for some heavier units. Please review the “However” box on the main page as I have dropped working on some of the heavier units.
Start with bundling the power cord and do not plug the end into any back panel outlet. Nicer yet is to wrap the bundle in the small bubble type wrap or foam sheet. Then place the unit in a plastic garbage bag to protect it from minor scratching and any styrofoam crumbs. Not the thin white trash can liners or grocery store types but the thicker black ones. Next, wrap it in the large bubble type wrap (1″), at least two layers all the way around. It’s ready to box at this point.
The best way to take up slack between the box and the stereo is solid styrofoam and the larger the pieces the better. Please – don’t use like ten small pieces!! I always have different thicknesses of the sheets sold as insulation in the big box home stores, the white color with the clear wrap on one side and foil on the other. Also good is foam rubber if it’s at least 2″ thick and will fit. Some don’ts on cushioning: NO styrofoam peanuts as they compress under the weight and become useless and no wadded paper for the same reason. Those air bags are useless too!
THE FOLLOWING IS CRITICAL!!!! The outer box should be double thick if possible. Two single thickness boxes will also work as long as the slack between them is taken up with the aforementioned cushioning materials. Boxes that printers or other electronics come in are too thin and never intended for shipping so avoid those. Not doing one or the other will mean no claim will be paid by the shipping company.
I advise the purchase of insurance and if you need a value, look the unit up on eBay and click on the “Sold” button to see what the recent sale prices have been. I vastly prefer FedEx or even USPS over UPS as a carrier. Let me know when it’s on it’s way. I will let you know when it gets here, how it fared the trip and results of an operational assessment.