I have never understood the issue of having the equipment rack between the speakers. It is generally placed back of the speaker plane. Stereo imagine after-all is an illusion created by our brain, based on how the vibrations coming from the left and right speakers are hitting our ears. There is no "center speaker". Sound-stage is created by the mixing on the recording. Unless your equipment rack is placed in the path of the music being sent out of your speakers, can it truly make much of a difference. And I say "much" as sound waves do not move in a straight linear path, and there could be some reflection off the rack. But being able to "hear the shape of the rack", and in most rooms, could we really hear the difference? Moving your own rack would be the only true test, but I personally have not heard a noticeable improvement in my system when moving the rack to the side.
Location of compoments.
Hello,
I'm reading Jim Smith's book "Get Better Sound". He notes that, if possible, do not locate your audio rack between the speakers, better off to one side. I would guess over 50% of audiophiles have their equipment exactly where he says it should not be placed. Needless to say, I would need 20' long speaker cables to reach the farthest speaker. Not very cost-effective or practical.
Any thoughts? Do most have their electronics between the speakers?