Audio Rack Opinions

<<IMHO racks represent the least bang for your audio bucks. The only component that significantly benefits is the turntable, which requires isolation from structural borne resonances and footfalls. For the table, a wall mount shelf properly installed is best or a dedicated stand properly positioned in the room or better still on the concrete floor of your basement. For the rest of your gear an inexpensive basic rack is fine—add a Symposium Svelte Shelf beneath your digital player if you want to go a bit further. Spend what you save on music or component upgrades that will actually increase your musical enjoyment.>>

I tend to agree, but my current rack is a "tripod" with glass shelves, and last week I luckily noticed that the shelf with LFD had almost pulled out of the back bracket, thus prompting the search.  As noted, my Palmer is VERY heavy, and I listen to LPs about 99.9% of the time, so goal one is a foundation for that,

Space and logistics does not allow a wall-mounted shelf or a separate stand, so I am going to focus on a single rack.

What about quadraspire?  Good match with the LFD.  

You are right -- I forgot to put that one on the list.  Although its appearance will require some additional spousal management....LOL

That's a beauty of a TT, the 22lb platter must give tremendous stability. I miss my Thoren's TD124 platter which was impressive, heavy in it's day, and only 1/3 the weight.

@elliottbnewcombjr -- thanks for the kind words.  It is pretty amazing and yes, the overall weight makes it a pretty solid.  I have had it for about 6 months and just love it

After all these great suggestions and perspectives, I wish I could say that I have made my decision. However, what I have learned is that I am not going to spend 5 figures on a rack as there are some truly fine options available for a lot less than some late model used cars. 
 

I have calls planned with both Arnold at Core and Peter at Symposium over the next few days. The truth is that I am impressed by both of these systems and the approach each of these gentlemen take with regard to customer service. I wish I could rationalize buying one from each, but I am thankful to have two terrific options. 
 

I did ask the individual who helped me with my system design and choices and while he favors the Quadraspire, that is a non-starter with my wife who generally stays out of the mix on my audio choices!  What my friend did say is that “Stands do make a difference but it is never a really big difference. The better stands are the light weight but rigid designs rather than a very heavy design.”

Based on my reading and this thread, I tend to agree and so we will see how my calls go with the experts. I do want to thank everyone for their help and will post again as I reach my decision. 

@lak  — thank you for the great perspective you shared:

What I discovered is how much of a difference a solid rack or other means of damping and controlling vibrations in our electronics makes. It’s a big deal.

It’s also a potential rabbit hole.
 

I had a fascinating call with Arnold from Core Audio and the topics ranged from his approach to audio rack design to mid-century furniture to LFD amplifiers.  In the end we both agreed that just about anything would be better than my current rack which almost dropped my LFD NCSE (I waited six months for this unit to be built in England!)

While I am going to speak with Peter at Symposium this week, I am fairly sure that I will go with Core Audio as his designs seem to bring the best of a rock solid foundation with the beauty of wood. I suppose this is one of the reasons that I have a Palmer tt and not one of the equally excellent options that do not use wood in their designs. 

So I thought an update was in order: I am going with the Core Audio Designs’ rack. After a few calls and multiple emails, I am very happy with my decision. I will wait to post photos once I have the rack set up with my system, but want to thank everyone for their input and recommendations.