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'Racks'. Important? Best bang for $$?

Hello, all you rack enthusiasts out there in Audioland. it has come to my attention, in pursuing ISOLATION devices, a rack can either add or detract from the sound one's gear is capable of producing... Wow!

I recently changed mine and went with something more esthetically pleasing, not knowing or even considering how it could affect the Sonics of a system! I found out the hard way. Things got worse. A lot worse! I imagined all sorts of issues and addressed them all, save the rack. .. and only by accident did I find it to be the source of the negative swing in sound quality to my system.

Being convinced, now, a good rack is an important & integral part of the 'system', I would like to prevail upon those of you who have found good quality racks, at affordable prices....

Should they have stone shelves, absorbant, wood, isolated, etc... Coupled or uncoupled?

I think several are in my future... one for preamp & amp. One for the sources, (3, no phono though), and another for proc & multi amp.... it would seem ..or some combination that supports those items. Access, cooling, and ease of assembly unless it/they come put together, are noteworthy too.

Sure would appreciate some other experiences here, if you please. Many thanks.
blindjim

Showing 2 responses by cytocycle

cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
I have owned Solid Steel, Plateau (cheap starter racks with MDF shelfs (double wide will warp depending on the design), Billy Bags Pro 33 (nice rack but still ended up using Seismic sinks, BDR, etc on it).

I simplified my setup and bought a Sistrum Rack for my Audio system, and like it so much that I bought one for my video system. It is a dream to cable, ultimate ventilation, and most importantly it images like a dream! I have used Aurio Pro under my subwoofers and found the sistrum SP4 stands produced tighter more tuneful bass.

Adjustable shelfs are a huge plus especially when you are changing components periodically.

The pARTicula racks are beautiful, but ultra expensive once you start hanging them in the second rack frame. Their Amp stands are just big chunks of steel with a top... go elseware for a better sonic value.. They Look ultra cool and for $800+ each they should.
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
Douglas Schroeder: The single wide Plateau racks are probably no problem and if it is double wide make sure it has a support or make sure you get another metal bar to screw on the underside. Shelves had approx 125 lbs each ( 2 amplifiers per shelf...). I saw a more recent plateau rack and they were better built than the one I owned 10 years ago.. (mine had metal supports on each side screwed into the MDF shelfs and not supported across the double wide shelf.. hense the warping/sagging problem.)

+1 on wood floor refinishing is for professionals.
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