2. tech-talk
  3. 992016443

Which Rack Is Better?

I am in the market for an audio rack, and I've narrowed my options down to three: in order of increasing cost, the Atlantis Reference, the Polycrystal, and the Zoethecus Reference. As I see it, the advantages of each are as follows:

1) The Atlantis Reference is very heavy and sturdy, it has a larger space at the bottom for a power amp, all shelves are 3/4-inch MDF and are spike-decoupled, and the price is only around $500.

2) The Polycrystal has anti-resonant shelves, and has adjustable spacing between shelves. It has been very well reviewed, and costs a lot more money.

3) The Zoethecus has the anti-resonant z-slab shelves, is superior aesthetically to the Polycrystal, and is even more expensive. I would need to special-order it, unless I could find one with a larger space at the bottom on Audiogon.

I believe that my system (Denon 1650AR/Bryston BP-20/Aragon 8008BB/Thiel 3.6/Pro-SilwayII/Oval9) is good enough that I would hear any significant sonic differences between the racks.

Which of these racks would be the better choice, i.e., would there be enough of an improvement over the Atlantis Reference to justify the higher cost?

Thanks for your input.

Alan
a_hayman

Showing 8 responses by drubin

drubin
3,277 posts
 
Dekay: thanks for all of this. Would the rosewood finish be just on the shevles, or is it the posts also? Because if it's just on the shelves and I went Neuance on all the shelves, the rosewood wouldn't matter.
drubin
3,277 posts
 
I have a Neuance shelf on order for the top of my Target stand, and I'll put the turntable on it. The lower shelves fo the Target rack don't conform to the Neuance requirement for upward spike or knob support, unfortuantely, and my Sony 777ES is too heavy for Neuance. I'm anxious to see how this will work out.
drubin
3,277 posts
 
I've been trying to choose a rack for a couple of months now and have found it one of the most frustrating audio system decisions I've ever faced. There are so many conflicting opinions as to which approach is best sonically--three different camps. It's not practical to audition these things. (Perhaps Ken Lyon will come by this thread and shed some light on the debate between the three different camps.)

I considered Zoethecus, Salamander Synergy, Billy Bags, Polycrystal, RixRax, Standesign, you name it. In the end, I punted and bought a discounted, discontinued Target rack as a stop-gap. The thing rings like a church bell when you knock it, but it's plenty rigid.

If I could be convinced that the Synergy stuff is not a major sonic compromise, that would probably be my first choice because of the combination of looks, price and flexibility it offers (I like the option of adding drawers). Eventually I want a RixRax, but only if I'm convinced that its sonics are good. Too expensive if it's mediocre-sounding, even if it's gorgeous furniture.

---dan
drubin
3,277 posts
 
Thank Paul!
drubin
3,277 posts
 
The PA line is discontinued, alas.
drubin
3,277 posts
 
I checked because my Target rack was damaged in shipment and was the last one. So now I'm back in decision mode again. Somebody shoot me, please.
drubin
3,277 posts
 
I may do just that. This is for the main system and the rack will go directly onto a hardwood suspended floor. As you say, if I don't like the way the synergy sounds, i can re-purpose it.
drubin
3,277 posts
 
They had some left in rosewood, which I do not want. None in black, and they didn't say anything to me about making them again. I did not speak directly with John, and this was before I read your last post, dekay.

The current PS line does not have spiked support for the individual shelves. This is key if you want to use Neuance. The modular offerings from Standesign and Apollo (UK, via May Audi in N.A.) fit the ticket, however.
More to discover