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Casters on equipment rack?

As one of my many Covid projects, I am building two new racks for my equipment and I am curious about whether using casters would adversely effect the sound quality. The racks are a "flexi" style using 1.25" walnut shelves and 3/4" black pipe, so they will be quite heavy (between 75 and 100lbs once loaded). I would really love to just roll them away from the wall to change anything and I can’t see any reason casters would be optional on speakers like Wilson and Tekton, but not okay on a rack. Components on the racks will be individually isolated using a combination of Isoacoustics Orea and Herbie’s dots. The floor is tile on a concrete slab. Casters are very high quality with rubber wheels and will be attached directly to the bottoms of the black pipe.
128x128tony1954
10 responses Add your response
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
It all comes down to your priorities. If sound quality uber alles then you want everything fixed in place and on springs. I give myself just enough room to reach behind, and it ain't easy but it can be done and I don't mind how hard it is because I hardly ever do it. If I was messing around a lot things would be different.

Bottom line, you will never know what you gave up in terms of sound quality with casters. But your back and knees will definitely let you know what they think. As much as we like to think otherwise, its not always all about the sound.
tony1954's avatar
tony1954 OP
1,036 posts
 
That is just it. When I was much younger and had a large room with plenty of space, then the subject probably wouldn't come up. However, as an older guy with a bad back, living in a smallish condo, convenience is very attractive.
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
A  cantilever spring caster works very well. I added them to HEAVY bins, 500 lbs. They could go over an extension cord and not lock the wheel. You can add shocks too. Heavy tool boxes use them on rough concrete, floors, too. There are all kinds of sizes and they get pretty fancy. The spring load is adjustable on a few that I've seen. Or just 2 in the front or the back, Tip the object to hit the rollers. Just a thought..

Regards
rshak
417 posts
 
I've got two systems, and the components for each are in Salamander racks on casters. Some would say the racks are, at best mid-Fi, but every time I have to access the back of a component I thank myself for making the decision to go with the casters. 
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
https://www.amazon.com/Skelang-Leveling-Retractable-Workbench-Equipment/dp/B083ND294N/ref=asc_df_B08...
29.00 USD

This is a tip and move, HIGH cap...

Use 4 and tinker, look pretty solid, 3300lb cap.. Come in black and white..

You got an Idea what your looking for.

I'm working on mobile racks too, with RtR and TTs. Mine use to work really well too.
Spring loaded casters...Spring loaded TT. 
Roll it on a thick piece of carpet and let it settle

Regards
tony1954's avatar
tony1954 OP
1,036 posts
 
@oldhvymec
I am familiar with the casters you are referring to, but as much as we audiophiles like overkill, I am still considering practicality and esthetics in this equation. The casters I have shortlisted are high quality, German-made, 2", non-marking and rated at 300 lbs. 
tony1954's avatar
tony1954 OP
1,036 posts
 
@oldhvymec
Good idea. I will have to consider something like that if I decide to perhaps have casters at the back and legs at the front. Definitely more stable than casters.
tweak1
3,657 posts
 
Those casters look cool. I will investigate further

In the mean time, OP, my condolences for living in a condo. Before I bought my house (~26 years ago) I lived in a 10 unit condo. Neighbors kept calling the police on me

Anyway, 99.9% of all listening rooms are highly compromised. Pragmatically, having Harbor Freight dollys under my speakers makes them much easier to position. They sound damn good as is, so...

I want to have wheels under my vertical solid steel rack, but that would take some configuring, as would incorporating the adjustable casters sigh
tony1954's avatar
tony1954 OP
1,036 posts
 
@tweak1 

No condolences required. The condo I own is in a concrete building, has 9' ceilings and with the way it is situated I have never had any issues with my neighbours. Mind you, since I retired and downsized I have adjusted the volume a little bit and no longer have those nights when the building shakes. Given that downtown Vancouver condos sell for a minimum of $1,000 sq. ft., the main issue is room size. The open layout helps, but the amount of glass is a pain in the donkey.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Spikes from copper will give you the best sound.
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