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Poll: Which rack s would you use and why?

I have reduced the number of components in my system and sold two 5-shelf racks and a turntable stand. In the interim, before I get my new DAC, transport, line stage and turntable, I have my amps and one box CDP on the floor and the soundstage obviously got better without all the clutter. OK, here is the poll question:

I have a 14' x 17.5 ' room. My speakers are 68" out from the wall (to the front of the speaker). My amps will remain on the floor on SRA dedicated bases. That leaves me six components (including the turntable) to put on shelves (racks). Which would you use to minimize the adverse effects on the soundstage -- two lower (e.g., 31" high) three shelf racks side by side or a single higher (say 45") six shelf rack and why? I am hoping to hear from people who have tried both in their rooms as well as sound engineering type responses.

I am trying to decide what I am going to do so this is not a hypothetical question. Thanks in advance for your ideas!!!

PS - you can also recommend anything else (e.g., brands of racks. other positions options to the extent possble, etc.)

Thanks.
fmpnd

Showing 2 responses by mikelavigne

mikelavigne
2,209 posts
 
Fmpnd, since your turntable has it's own suspension, you are limited to a non-suspended rack for best results. if you have a suspended rack it will work against the suspension of the SME and cause problems.

what you want is a combination of mass and absorbtion......or......if your wall will hold a 90 pound turntable......you could wall mount a turntable shelf and get a suspension rack for your other gear.

my preference for a suspended rack would be the Grand Prix.....although it's WAF is marginal (which is why i have the Zoethecus).

for a solid rack, the Rix Rax is a good choice if you have the room and the 'look' is right for you. the Zoethecus is pretty good and great looking. with a solid rack you will need to individually tune each shelf depending on it's occupant.

my gear is in a similar place relative to my speakers as yours and a 4-shelf Zoethecus rack 5 feet in front of my speakers doesn't seem to harm the soundstage in any way. i also have a 2 shelf Zoethecus rack (that i use when auditioning additional gear) that i put between my main rack and the speakers that doesn't seem to cause any problem.

here is a look
mikelavigne
2,209 posts
 
a question for Twl; do you think a 90 pound tt will work on a light, rigid rack?.....this is not a rehtorical question. in my mind, a light to medium weight tt would be ideal on a light-weight rigid rack but a very heavy tt.....especially one that is fairly wide.....needs some mass for stability. i know that a heavy rack will tend to pass resonance more than a light rack but what about stability regarding foot-falls and such.....i agree regarding the height issue.....the lower the better for the tt.

the other important issue here is the floor. any rack performance is really a combination of rack design and floor construction. Frank, what is the design of your floor? does it move around now? can it be braced?
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