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Component racks

I am putting together a tube system and need a racking system for two turntables, and 5 tube components (pramp, 2 monoblocks, phono preamp, and cd player)and surge prtector. The only thing I know about racks is they come in a lot of flavors and can be very expensive. With tubes, they will more than likely have to be adjustable. I have two svelte shelves and two amp stands, 3 X 3 still points, 1 X 3 roller blocks and 1 X 3 roller block jr. that I am using with my current system on a wood entertainment system. Reading forums and threads has left me confused. I am open for comments and suggestions. Thank you.
bgmyers

Showing 2 responses by rhljazz

rhljazz
1,255 posts
 
Mapleshade racks is what I want to own. I have one Mapleshade platform which I like. I love the looks and the solid construction. There are many favorable comments on the positive sonics of these racks. I would stay away from any rack that supposedly kills vibrations.
rhljazz
1,255 posts
 
11flat6, my current racks are a Polycrystal and Deluxe Roomtunes. I was all excited when I purchased the Polycrystal since it had received so many positive reviews in S-phile and were in many reviewers systems. I moved all the best gear over to my new rack and imagine my dismay when the result sucked. I had to switch everything back again. The Polycrystal sounds dull and sucks the life out of tube gear in particular. I cannot place any component on that rack without some additional interface. Otherwise the sound is degraded.

The roomtunes was a step up from the previous rack which was a Standesign rack which had a cantilevered metal frame with wood inserts. The sound gained solidity and structure and lost some of the brightness it had before. The Roomtunes rack is fairly neutral but does suppress harmonics.

I've done considerable long term experiments with different platform materials (MDF, oak, cherry, butcherblock, maple) plus different footers (spikes in brass, aluminum, ceramic, steel) soft footers like Herbies, vibrapods, and others. The best overall balance and life is with the Mapleshade platform with brass spikes.

My priorities may be different than yours. Based on my experiments and sonic preference, I wish to avoid a rack that is overdamped. The rack needs to have a natural sound to it.

It's funny when I see photos of an amp designer in his lab and his amp is on the "test bench" which usually looks like a formica covered slab of plywood/MDF with legs of unknown composition or structure. Maybe something like that is the ultimate rack.
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