Does anyone actually rackmount ?????

Nearly everything in my project studio is rack mounted. Nothing in my listening room is rack mounted. It's principally a matter of space. There's so much gear in the studio that without rackmounting it would take way too much space (not to mention all the power, audio, and midi connection issues). When rackmounting you may have to pay a bit more attention to grounding considerations since some equipment uses chasis ground and others don't (and some provide the option with a switch). But proper grounding practice is always a good idea.

Damages the faceplate. Reduces resale value. Considering prevailing fashion, does not look right. Looks way too scientific and techy, so gives off the wrong vibe, makes one look like a dreaded scope sniffing number cruncher. A high-end faux pas, if you ask me I am sure a number of people will opine that it alters the sound of the equipment,give me a break... in one's mind, maybe? Good day.

I used to have all rackmount gear, then in 1989 when the big earthquake hit, my whole system hit the floor, with bad results. Since then I have always wondered if they were not mounted would they have fell?? I don't think it alters sound one bit....just damages the faceplate....

Will

I think it's just a take-off on the pro audio look. There's a good reason why pro-audio is mounted this way.

Possibly the designers thought it would make the equipment look, uh, more like audio gear?

Off topic a hair, you can put rubber stoppers between the screw heads and the faceplate to prevent blemishing the finish. It also makes it harder for people to steal the gear-at least quickly. The one that does ruffle me a little is when I see the rack *handles* put on pieces of gear that appear to be solely for beauty/marketing reasons ("it looks cool!")--a 65wpc 12lb carver amp doesn't need rack handles. Now trying to get a 50lb amp, or even a 150lb Gryphoon off the bottom shelf (I'm speculating/imagining on the latter since I've never had to move a gryphoon) rack handles are a godsent. I can't see rackmounting affecting performance in anyway. Of course some tweeko's may start talking about how it couples the component directly to the stand and some mumbo jumbo vibration control issues.