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Can an audio rack be that important?

When we spend Tens of thousands on audio equipment are we losing sight on the importance of a good audio rack? I have seen many setups were ultra high end audio equipment is used sub-par equipment racks. 
I have been grappling with buying a high end audio rack for sometime but have always put it off as less important. 
What does a reference rack actually do for the sound of high quality components?

 

hiendmmoe

Showing 2 responses by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
6,491 posts
 

@mikelavigne 

 

+1 right on.

ghdprentice
6,491 posts
 

In general, a good solid rack will do the job. You get the best components you can, upgrade all the wires… which increase performance, then power cables, then room treatments, then isolation devices on you stable platform.

While you can certainly benefit from a fancy platform with elaborate isolation, typically it is more cost effective to buy a sturdy rack, and add isolation to each component.

 

So, for instance, cheap springs or cones, then a platform like Black Diamond Racing composite and cones… then the next level Townsend…. And finally a high end isolation platform like Silent Running Audio Ohio class.

Ideally, with no budget constraints you would get a fully isolated highend rack and high end isolation platforms… but we are really talking about incredibly subtle improvements… appropriate for $50K components.

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