An audio rack that really does make a difference.

Take a good long look at the Symposium Acoustic Foundation Rack ( or Foundation Ultra if you do vinyl).  Exceptional quality of materials and design and a very good looking rack (IMO) to boot!

Check out Timber Nation!
http://www.timbernation.com/

hiendmmoe An audio rack that really does make a difference.

The best one is the one that's put to the side of the room and NOT between the speakers so it completely screws up all the image and depth to the music your listening to.

Cheers George

+1 for TimberNation
I had a Lovan Tri leg stand that always interfered with the connections of my gear and was just metal and fiberboard. Chris does an incredible quality job on his racks and they are just gorgeous, acoustically functional and solid! I have a 4 shelf with a 3” Maple top with spikes that holds my 100lb Acoustic Signature Triple X 
He is a wood working master!

@georgehifi you could use a milk crate and set it to the side...lol

TimberNation makes some nice stuff as do the Amish and the Mennonite’s down here in TX.

@georgehifi you could use a milk crate and set it to the side...lol

Could sound just as good if the floor is a cement slab.

Adona.

Several months ago I bought a new rack from TimberNation.  Solid, thick and beautiful wood.  The dimensions were exactly as requested and it was delivered very timely.  Very satisfied customer.  If you like a high end wood look, this is the place.

I bought a SolidTech rack earlier this year. I'm not sure if it really makes THAT much difference to the sound, but it's very sturdy and looks great. I like the hi-tech look and it fits well with my decor.

I also think the Timber Nation racks look great if that's the look you are going for. 

You might consider keeping your old rack but adding CS2 footers from critical mass systems for each component.  The improvement would not be marginal.  Your budget should cover 3 components.  

Just a thought. 

I also recently got a customized Timbernation rack. It looks good, is sturdy, and does what I need. However, I do not think it is really meant for vibration isolation. Something I really have no desire to spend money on. I have a SACD player. DAC, and preamp on the rack. I doubt this set of gear requires an expensive rack.

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/7605

@georgehifi

I always wondered why I see all these high end systems and at dealers too with their racks between the speakers and think it’s got to negatively impact the image and soundstage. I get that the benefit is shorter wires and I guess it can look cool too.

+1 for Symposium. Peter has been doing this for over 30 years and really know his stuff. He also happens to be my neighbor ;)

Butcher Block Acoustics makes great racks, I just ordered my third rack from them. 
https://butcherblockacoustics.com/collections/rigidrack™-audio-furniture

Artesania Audio racks- thoughtfully engineered and beautifully finished.

Lovan makes some nice stereo stands

Butcher block way overpriced for wood.

I replaced my Billy Bags rack with an Adona Eris 6DW - cherry trim. Very happy with its function and appearance.

Is Lovan still in business? Their Facebook page hasn't been updated since 2016 & it links to a main website that doesn't exist.

Mapleshade Samson:
https://mapleshadestore.com/samsonracks.php

Mapleshade is an outstanding audio rack. Three 4 inch maple shelves makes up their turntable rack. It holds my Pass amp, preamp and phonostage. A VPI 
classic turntable tops it off. I also 
have a Music Hall CD player sandwiched between the preamp and phono stage. Could not be more satisfied with their product.  
And it’s also extremely nice looking.

Sound Anchors.

I should have added my Mapleshade stand improved the sound of my system.  
Mike B.

I have these.  Excellenthttps://butcherblockacoustics.com/collections/rigidrack%E2%84%A2-audio-furniture

If I were to replace my current console it would be a Timbernation.A friend has one and I really like the look and quality.

The fact is most rooms are far from ideal listening rooms, so compromise rules the day


I have a decades old vertical Solid Steel vertical rack, but have long wanted to replace it with a horizontal rack, but quality racks are $$$$! Recently, I moved mine  ~ 4ft back, very close to the front wall. That helped a ton. Moving the speakers well out in front of the rack helped quite a bit, too


As to how much any rack interferes with the imaging might be offset by the extreme high price of either high quality speaker cables, or interconnects. AND, if the rack is to be placed along a sidewall, what about side wall reflections?


One inexpensive tweak that really works is/are Machina Dynamica Springs under everything
hth

For much less than $3k, you can have a metal manufacture custom make you a stand.

And, buy some Critical Mass 1.0 footers for under the components. Cheaper than buying the Critical Mass stand but still very effective.

ozzy

Core Audio designs are esthetically and functionally superb. My TT and associated equipment sits on a 3 shelf plyKraft rack. They look incredible and are extremely well build. These racks are so sturdy you can jump up and down in front of it whilst playing an LP and nothing happens. Although not recommended, give it a kick, yep, nothing happens. Here are some pictures:

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/7324

A couple of people are mentioning Critical Mass footers. You should definitely try before you buy with these as they did nothing for my system and they are very expensive. 

Symposium Acoustics is an outstanding product line.  I have been using their Rollerblock Jr+ devices along with the Segue ISO for my turntable and it made a significant and very positive difference in SQ, particularly for mid-bass, bass, and overall definition of instruments in those frequency ranges.

I recently upgraded to the Symposium Foundation Rack Ultra.  At the same time I added additional Rollerblock HDSE devices for my preamp, amp, and phono stage.  This is not just a rack, it's a vibration control system for all of your components.  The synergistic qualities of this design/concept is nothing short of phenomenal.  The Foundation Rack Ultra provides the top level with an Ultra platform which is best if you have a turntable or even for placing a digital source unit (SACD player).  This product is the real deal and fits right in your budget.  Contact the owner, Peter, to discuss your needs.  He is very knowledgeable, easy to talk to, and will steer you right.  I suggest that you begin by studying their website first as that will provide you with some insight prior to discussing with Peter.  Best to you.

Another vote for Core Audio Designs - plyKraft rack. If wood is your thing...there isn’t anything I’ve seen that can match the craftsmanship and smart engineering of plyKraft. They are not your garden variety wooden racks. 

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I want to address a couple of
responses. I’m quite aware of what negative effects occur with the rack in the middle, between the speakers. Unfortunately I suspect,
like myself, most don’t have the space or the the means to place it off to the side.

I’m quite aware of what negative effects occur with the rack in the middle, between the speakers. Unfortunately I suspect,
like myself, most don’t have the space or the the means to place it off to the side.

It is the single biggest killer of sound staging and depth perspective, it makes a hiend sound into midfi, because there's no artist to place and see with your eyes.
If you can't go to the side, maybe the behind you, or as I did in one place that allowed it, the next room.

Cheers George  

Salamander A5, solid build, adjustable and expandable, with the extra bonus of all that extra cash you saved buy more music!

I've had a Timbernation rack for years. Highly recommended, especially because you can get it customized to meet any requirement. Chris is great to work with.

I had Salamander and it worked well for a time.  Advancing to the Symposium Foundation Rack Ultra was light years beyond.  The Symposium product is built with audio function in mind, not just a support system for components.  Constrained layers work, and when combined with Rollerblock vibration drainage devices it becomes a synergistic system.  You can easily hear the difference.
Of course there are other very good equipment rack systems available.  I found the Symposium products to deliver real high fidelity performance, well beyond simply supporting my audio components, and at a reasonable price compared to some others.  Symposium also offers a rack that is several times the price, and it's awesome, but that is out of my budget.
Best to you on your quest.

It is the single biggest killer of sound staging and depth perspective, it makes a hiend sound into midfi, because there's no artist to place and see with your eyes.
If you can't go to the side, maybe the behind you, or as I did in one place that allowed it, the next room.

Not really a deal breaker in a well disigned room and proper speaker placement.  I have done it both ways and get great sound in either setup.  Shorter cables make a bigger difference in my experience.

Look at Symposium Foundation rack will be the best sounding rack for your money.

Hi hiendmmoe

I realize you want to get a new rack and there are some nice looking ones out there that are within your budget but most of them are designed mainly for looks, in the “affordable” price points and based on my previous experience they will rarely make a significant improvement is sound quality. 

One audiogoner recommended getting a set of the Critical Mass CS2 footers. I tried a set of those under my preamp and I was shocked at the improvement. The problem with going that route is they are stupid expensive and you’re only improving one component. Make no mistake, I was so impressed with the level of improvement that I wound up buying two more sets of them for my dac and transport (remember those). 

My suggestion would be to find a Wilson Audio dealer near you (if possible) and take home a set of their new isolation feet (I think they are called pedestals) and put them under your source or your preamp. I have yet to try them myself but my local dealer sells both the Critical Mass feet and the Wilson feet. One of his customers took home a set of the new Wilson feet to try and one week later traded in ALL of his Critical Mass footers (he had them under every component) and bought four sets of the Wilson footers claiming that they were noticeably better than the Critical Mass footers. Personally, I was so blown away with the Critical Mass feet that I find that claim hard to believe but if it’s true you better believe I’m going to try a set. The funniest thing about the Wilson feet is, they are less expensive than the Critical Mass feet. I think a set of the Wilson feet sell for $2250 for a set of three. All I can say is, I could not believe the improvement I heard from the Critical Mass feet. If the Wilson Pedestals turn out to be as good as that customer said they are, then that would e the way to go. Definitely worth a listen. 

My suggestion is geared towards the audiophile who is looking for the best possible sound quality and not someone who is just looking for a piece of furniture. 

Good luck
Scot

Yesterday I got my long awaited SRA VR platform for my Woodsong Garrard 301.
OMG! Can’t believe the improvements. This is the single most significant change in my system, period.
I am using an old so so Polycrystal rack with the SRA VR on the top shelf under the TT.
Even bad records have become interesting. The phrasing of the music has become precise and beautiful. Every quality you could ascribe is taken to an unheard level.
Keep your current rack and get Silent Running Audio VR platforms at $1500 each.
SRA makes stuff for NASA, the Navy, medicine, science, etc. Subs and electron microscopes.
These are a bargain for what you get.
Don’t waste your time and money on less!

Quadraspire Reference X.

I was able to mostly buy a used Star Sound Sistrum rack.  The moment I put my components on this, the sound was much more like live music with greater definition and dynamics.  It is a 3 leg rack but you can put 300 lbs. on each shelf.  I had a 5 shelf unit that was 4 ft. tall.  I later had SS cut my rods in 2 pieces that allowed it to be even more stable and made the soundstage much better due to the height.  This rack does not contribute to poor sound when placed between the speakers.  Mine is about 2 ft. back from being even with the front of my speakers.  

Bob

I would recommend a Solidtech Radius, with the shelf isolation kits. 
Looks great, choice of colors.. 

You might want to look at BDI out of Chantilly VA

Ocean Beach Pallet Co.  Beautiful stuff and reasonably priced.  They will custom build to your needs.  Good people to work with.  
https://www.etsy.com/shop/OceanBeachPalletC

I can recommend solid-tech.  I bought feet of silence for my table-  problem solved-  the price is worth it —if it solves a problem and they did!

my table floats 

I've had Timbernation audio racks and speaker stands and they look and work great. The Butcher Block look just as good. Now, I use a local carpenter I sourced who made a great looking media stand out of thick maple with African Padauk wood inlays and thick metal hairpin legs for less than a third of what audio racks go for.

Even with that, you'll still need some good footers to isolate your gear so keep that in mind.

All the best,
Nonoise