I also have an S40 rack. For me it was an improvement, but that may be due to it's having been on a very unstable shelf unit before I purchased the S40. Stereophile once said in their review that the top shelf imparts a "slight veil" to the music. As a result, they preferred the S30. I suspect they are right, but it does look very nice--like a nice piece of furniture.
I have the cherry unit with cherry side panels. I left the back of it off for ventilation. FWIW, the side panels fit very well and do not rattle at all.
I think Jdombrow is right: to find something that looks as nice and sounds significantly better, you will likely have to spend quite a bit more $$.
I have the cherry unit with cherry side panels. I left the back of it off for ventilation. FWIW, the side panels fit very well and do not rattle at all.
I think Jdombrow is right: to find something that looks as nice and sounds significantly better, you will likely have to spend quite a bit more $$.