2. misc-audio
  3. 1060023261

AV Racks. What difference does it make?

Im not sure i understand what difference your rack could possibly have.

I understand everybody here seems to feel that reducing all sorts of vibrations is important as well.

How is that? its not like 1's and 0's get rattled off the circuit board by vibrations

Whats the point in a better rack? What is a better rack? And how does a $1,500.00 rack make anything sound better? I mean, technically, in depth, can anybody explain this phenominon?

Sounds like a buncha horse pucky to me. Kinda like the kinds new clothing.

Does anybody have a theory of how one AV rack can sound different than another? And dont give me any of that room accoustics stuff, i dont see people talking about which sitting chair is best for sound!!!! :)

"I found that wearing wingtips and khaki shorts really opened the soundstage compared to my nikes and TH bluejeans."

I have a good understanding of electronics and accoustics, but i cannot imagine any way a rack could make a difference.
What is the theory of how a Maplewood rack might sound better than an oak for example?

Do you all use racks and isolation pods at the same time?
slappy

Showing 6 responses by gunbei

gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Hey Slappy, I know exactly where you're coming from. When I first heard about the effect isolation or vibration control could have on a system, I was pretty skeptical. But the more I read posts on Audiogon and the more I talked to audiophiles about mechanical vibrations and their potential detriments it really started to make sense.

Over the years I've tried different types of platforms and cones, and have found some that worked very well for me. And I'm still experimenting.

I'll reiterate what many have said here already. Start with a good solid rack. Once that is taken care of, turn your attention to optimizing what's under your source.
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Exactly, Tplavas. Slappy, if YOU can hear the improvement, it was worth it.

I've tried various iso-tweaks with varying results. I don't pretend to know how all these different cones and platforms, and isolation or vibration draining theories work, but in many instances I have been able to hear noticable differences in the way claimed.

A little tidbit from my days at the IMB Academy. "Absorb What's useful and reject What's useless" - Bruce Lee.

Keep what sounds good, and put up for sale on Audiogon the stuff that doesn't. Heheh.
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Eldartford, right now I don't see the point in spending big bucks to purchase say, a Rix Rax, Grand Prix Audio or the like, although I did consider Zoethecus.

I've decided to build a rack system that will be bolted to the studs in my wall. I bought nice 16/4 piece of padauk as the spine support and had three maple shelves custom made to the sizes I wanted. All this for about $140 including shipping from hardwood suppliers I occasionally buy from on Ebay.

It's a little experiment to see if I can design and build an audio rack that is aesthetically pleasing and performs well.
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Yeah, take it from Viggen! He used to use high school yearbooks and apple crates as speaker stands. Now, look at his cool system. :•)
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Sean, I'll have to show you those darling baby pictures some time over a nice cup of warm milk. When Viggen was a little tyke he loved to mash his hands in his own poop. Needless to say he wasn't allowed near a remote control or allowed to adjust the volume knob when his mitts were in that state. Hahhhh!!

How does an accelerometer represent the measured vibration? Is it a graphic display like a sine wave? Would the device be placed directly on the platform or rack being tested? Would it be able to show both the amount and frequency of the measured vibrations? Is there a way to correlate the measurements with the possible effects on the audio system, such as if a noted bunching of measurements around a certain frequency possibly causing a tonal change in that area during playback? Yeah, that would be an interesting test.
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
What if it's a flat platform to place a piece of audio gear on?
More to discover