your rack is fine in the middle has long as it is an opened air design. |
I don't know if I agree. I used to have a setup that had amp stands on the floor and a CD player on a stand on the floor also leaving the middle completely open. I don't think I've ever achieved the kind of physically tangible depth that I got with that setup than with my current 2 racks between the stereo setup. It is a hell of a commitment to buy the long interconnect to see if it makes it better, but I'm thinking of doing just that. |
I keep my rack in center, multiple racks sitting low so as to not affect imaging, soundstaging. Still, it would be best to not have anything in between. You will lose a lot more with a long cheap interconnect! |
Interesting - I was just reading in Jim Smith's new publication "Get Better Sound" that having a rack between is more detrimental than added length in cabling, both because it provides reflective surfaces to disrupt the soundstage and because it provides visual distraction. I was thinking the same thing about low amplifier stands (which I currently use) - should be no problem. Not sure about the open full height stand, but it's certainly better than a cabinet. |
Peter S,
I'm sure when Jim Smith refers to longer cabling he's talking about replacing with the same previous shorter length cabling. In which case I do agree. Abruce mentioned going to 'long cheap' cable. I would keep the better cabling and low center stands vs. cheap cabling and stands elsewhere. |
tt's really should be in anothr room, and never between the speakers. Air borne vibrations always impact the cartridge to a large degree, the table to a lesser degree. |
Can you run balanced;if so move the rack.
Balanced lines don't break the bank; Mogami makes a excellant balanced cable that Ralph from Atmasphere recommends;very nice. |
I don't think it truly matters. Each install will have its own concerns and priorities. In my main system, the rack is on the side due to french doors in the middle which require access and I really like the view of the doors. Due to this arrangement, or for other reasons, the system does present depth when present on the recording.
My secondary system has the cabinet and flatscreen in the middle. The speakers are closer to the frt wall as well, and depth is not as pronounced. The woofer unit is in the cabinet. This system presents a denser center fill. This system would be worse without the cabinet in the middle. |
I have my rack off to the side, & my power amp in between the speakers. It "looks" much better that way too, IMO, if that matters. I don't even have real expensive IC's to the amp, & I think my system sounds fantastic. And I know it's not about looks, but if you have a great looking expensive power amp, it's nice to "show it off" by placing it between the speakers.
Oh, & whatever extra you spend on IC's to the amp, you can save by using shorter spkr. cables...... |
Thanks Rleff
The Mogami's might be worth a try I'm looking at 4-5 meters and my current Ensemble cables in that lenght are out of reach right now.
Thanks All |
I have never had better results than I do now with rack off to side and feeding 20ft cables to amps in between the speakers. I dont do balanced and maybe that would be better but I am very happy with what I have now, plus the rack is only a couple feet from chair vs 10 or so if its in center, plus the speakers look better 4 ft out on room with nothing between them besides amps. |
A good looking 'rack' is fine for me almost anywhere.
However I find it distracts my musical appreciation if located between my speakers? |
I have my rack off to the side, & my power amp in between the speakers. It "looks" much better that way too, IMO, if that matters. I don't even have real expensive IC's to the amp, & I think my system sounds fantastic. And I know it's not about looks, but if you have a great looking expensive power amp, it's nice to "show it off" by placing it between the speakers.
Oh, & whatever extra you spend on IC's to the amp, you can save by using shorter spkr. cables...... |
i try to keep my rack hidden. my wife's rack... well that's another story. |
Swapping my 32" Trinitron + stand for front projection was the best thing I ever did for my sound-stage (speakers 8' apart and 4' off the front wall). |
