Racks, equipment and footers

Ha, I see the stuff in parentheses in my post is messed up - hurrying to help my wife walk the dogs.

I have not kept up on the EVP price increase since I haven’t been in the market for footers lately. I believe these were originally (and maybe still are) made from 703/705, which sort of corresponds to the medium and high densities given for different weight ranges. The Selectsound Board in black may be a newer product for Owens Corning since I don’t remember seeing it previously.  I do like the new round option for the EVPs and also the new rubber surfacing that doesn’t look so industrial.

How do you like the EVPs compared to other products you have tried?

I don’t disagree with the posted article but keep in mind Norm Varney has a company that sells decoupling type footers (AV RoomService Ltd.). Their footers are made from Owens Corning type acoustical boards (703/705 Acousticmac or sandwiched between metal plates and then felt or Selectsound Black Acoustic Board). These are moderately priced compared to some of the other footer products sold to audio enthusiasts but still offer good opportunities for DIY since the Owens Corning products are sold to consumers.

You don’t mention what type of floor your rack will be supported on - concrete, or suspended wood, or something else. That could make a difference. In general, I like decoupling after years of using spikes. Herbies makes a wide range of products that would work well for both the rack and components. I also like damped springs (i.e. Townshend), and especially under speakers. At a lower price point, there are platinum silicone footers available on Amazon (Hudson HiFi) that can be sized by the weight of what they support. I like Sound Anchors stands/racks based on stability but there are many other well-made racks available. Good luck.

@tvad 

Regarding the ringing, I suspect it may have related to using Nobsound springs under gear with tubes in it, as you mention.  The Nobsound springs do not appear to be as well damped as other spring solutions such as Townshend's.  I damped my individual springs (from Century Spring) using loosely applied, very thin wall heat shrink (poked a couple of holes in the heat shrink to prevent an air lock within the spring). Another thing might be what the springs are sitting on.  Mine sit on carpet, which helps.

Both the EVPs and the platinum silicone hemispheres that I currently use are well damped, as would be Herbie's products.  I cannot hear a sonic difference between Herbie's footers (Giant Fat Gliders) and the platinum silicone hemispheres, which I tried after using springs because they behave more like a damped spring than do the Herbie's products, which behave more like the hockey pucks used by @singingg (vulcanized rubber).   IMO, the Herbie's Giant Fat Gliders would work well under the legs of an equipment rack, regardless of whether other footers are used under the individual components.

Holy crap, you are right about the EVP pricing.  I just priced out the 16 large HD EVPs needed to support my main speakers and two subs - $3,824!

@rtrlover 

Nice looking rack.  Is it made from welded angle iron with wood shelves?

Fortunately, or unfortunately, I no longer need something like that but if I did I would definitely talk with you. It reminds me of the fern and roby rack and a little of the much more expensive Fleetwood Rack by Fleetwood Sound Company/Oswalds Mill Audio.

It seems there could be some customization where buyers could choose the type of lumber (even live edge) and type of elastomeric isolation pucks, as well as the choice for drawers as on your personal rack. Too bad I simply cannot justify another rack. Again, nice work!