Why are equipment racks so expensive?

You certainly must do your research, but high quality audio racks can be considered a component. Not if you have $500 components, but if you have $10K or higher.... and particularly on turntables and tube equipment. They must be rock solid... many contain vibration isolation mechanisms or may be designed to do that. Like any other component you have to match appropriate spending the overall quality of your system.

Dwebe:

Here is a Lack Rack post by member Riotubes, which also contains a link to the original A'Gon thread (thank you A'Gon for storing/maintaining this info).

https://www.audioasylum.com/audio/tweaks/messages/11/119775.html

As I'm no longer confortable using power saws I would opt for a fine toothed box saw to cut the legs (think I may have used one on my second go round).

I made a few Lack shelves back then, but used upturned brass cones instead of spikes (still they were really good).

I then opted for a couple of Ken's Greater Ranges shelves as he was kind enough to make a few custom shaped units for my Studio Tech rack (requires cut off/snipped corners).

No answer to your main question (even though I do have one:-).

Anyway, if you want a good reasonably priced rack make a Lack Rack adhering to the basic/general guidelines as they are sound.

DeKay

1. Because someone charges 3-10k for rack doesn't mean you or me will pay it.. I'm with you. 30k amps, 10k DACs, 20k speaker cables.

Someone will pay for sure. Just not me.. BUT I covet none of it.

Admire maybe, covet, never. 225.00 per 24 x 60 x 1 1/2 tier of BBlock. Serious manufacturing and shipping cost I'd say. 1k max for all the parts stain, serious spring loaded dollies and clear coat.. 6K Retail for 3 tiers

What do they pay their labor. 150.00 per hour.. Where is that application form.. I'm game at 67. I can turn out one a day. :-). Heck one a week would pay ALL the bills..

I'm right there having to BUY or BUILD for my new set up. I'll build.  Not a lot of equipment racks that accommodate 2 TT and RtR that don't look just like a recording studio.. Gotta make it..

Regards

It should be obvious that while Ikea makes many useful items (I bought a couple of things in the past), they are pretty much disposable junk like clothing from Old Navy. Dedicated audio racks by the better name companies are well worth the money, and they have much more material and design value than anything that Ikea makes.

Bahahaaaaaa.....
IKEA vs custom audio racks.

It’s high end here so high end gear naturally goes on high end furniture.

Good furniture to put gear on is usually very robustly constructed so I don’t know if IKEA is a fair comparison. Anyhow the benefits will vary by room. With the rise of digital and vinyl more of a niche,  the actual need is less than ever.