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Do you like your Sanus, VTI, or Salamander rack?

I'm looking at all of these since I want to move the equipment into the closet. The VTI looks like the best choice for my needs, but some of you have complained in other threads that the shelves are thin, the paint easily scratches, and they show their low cost Chinese quality. Also, the posts don't even line up on top of each other without a bit of bending, etc. Not very confidence inspiring. Now, What I really want is a full blown Samson from Mapleshade, but the cost is simply out of reach for me. The Salamander shares it's infinite adjustability, but looks so flimsy with those 5/8" posts and thin shelves. Is this rack sturdy and solid when bolted together? Using analog, I want rock solid rigidity. The Sanus looks like it might be better in this regard, but a bit less configurable. What do you think? Any experience with any of these? Please chime in and enlighten me. My ancient solid welded Target is probably better than any of them, but doesn't have enough space, or height. I miss Target, they seem to have vanished from the rack scene.
hifiharv

Showing 2 responses by mitch2

mitch2
4,168 posts
 
My ancient solid welded Target is probably better than any of them
and so is Sound Anchor IMO. Hard to find used, but reasonably priced to have made, considering their "last forever" quality. If desired, the Sound Anchor component stands are sturdy enough to put on heavy duty castors so you could roll the whole rack and system out of the closet for cable changes, etc.
I want to move the equipment into the closet
If cost is a big issue, why not simply nail shelf supports to three sides of your closet and use them to support DIY shelves of your choice? There would be many options from simple plywood shelves to plywood/mdf sandwiched shelves or, if you want to go all out, you could concoct a constrained layer shelf using a sandwich of black gatorboard, mdf and aluminum (sort of like the Symposium Svelte Shelves). The shelves could be permanently anchored to the supports, which would be screwed into the wall studs, thereby using the framing of your house, and not the more flexible floor joists, to support your system. I suspect the result would be quite sturdy. By leaving a couple of inches (or more) of space behind each shelf, you could more easily manage cable runs.

My point is, if you can't afford the quality you want, why buy something of questionable stability/quality, when you can construct something better to meet your needs?

Good luck.
mitch2
4,168 posts
 
A slab on concrete will be solid. I was thinking of the suspended wood floors many of us have up here in the north.

My gear is on a Sound Anchor component rack spiked to the concrete floor in the lower level of our house. Consider the Sound Anchor rack. Solid as it gets and holds value. Since you will be in a closet, the castors could come in really handy when trying to change out cables or components. Also, they do not have shelves but instead the gear sits adjustable steel bars providing both flexibility of footer placement as well as better air circulation beneath the components.
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