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How important is an audio rack?

The difference in opinions is almost as heated as the great cable debate. Many claim solid hardwood is best. Others like no shelves but some even defend mdf shelves. One store owner/salesman stated the audio rack should be considered the most important component, even with a very modest system! My opinion is much more moderate, but i'm curious what others think.
dayglow

Showing 4 responses by tbg

tbg
5,263 posts
 
Jaxwired, to say there is no impact of racks is ridiculous, but I agree that to spend more on the rack than the speakers is ill advised.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Let me rephrase the question. How important is vibration control? I would answer that it is one of the most important things you can do for your sound.

I am one who started my audio experiencing with my equipment on 1 x 6" planks using cinder blocks between them. I incrementally had improvements culminating with my trying the StillPoints Rack. It was outstanding. I had had Mana shelves before with two Halcyonics Micro active isolation devices. With everything on the StillPoints Rack, my sound was much improved

Later I tried the StillPoints Ultra SSs. Even on the StillPoints Rack, there was great improvement, suggesting that most other isolation devices are on the wrong track.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Audiofun, I would agree that to the degree a rack improves isolation of components they are essential. The real question is do any racks do enough? I grant that WAF is important and some racks do have such appeal, but I have never heard a rack that does all there is to be done. Basically anytime you have current moving in a wire, you have a magnetic field that will induce current flow in other wiring. If you further have motion of the magnetic field from vibrations, it will induce other information into your audio. The best circuit would be in a straight line and totally free of any motion. Tubes can be very microphonic but then again so can capacitors.

Vibration is the bete noire of audio.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Audiofun, I know that dealers are few and far between and that what few there are have only limited options, but I would urge you to give a listen to the SP Rack but only if it has the new Grids instead of the acrylic shelves. Possibly the SP Ultra Fives under everything and on another rack can equal the SP Rack, but I doubt it. I should also say that my speakers, turntable, and amps are on SP Component stands with four SP Ultra Fives under each. This is not true of the speakers.

All I can really say is that over Christmas our kids and grandkids were here and were in shock. My drummer grandson, who is a drummer, could not believe the sound of drums.

I used to think I was pretty close to realism years ago with ARC electronics and Infinity ServoStatics. If so, I am now ten times as close. As a friend once said, "I never thought I would hear Paul Simon in my room.
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