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Arrangement of components on rack

Now and again -- though not often enough, probably -- I spend some time unhooking and unplugging everything in my system, dusting the works, and then setting it all back up again. Makes me feel better, and it seems that the simple act of unplugging and then reattaching cables and power cords etc. improves the sound, too -- if only in my mind.

As I'm getting ready to do that now, I just had a thought: Is there a generally accepted arrangement for components sharing a rack? What I mean is: Are there components that ought be placed close together and those that should be better spaced out? My power amp sits between my speakers, with the rest of the gear over on the side wall.

I've got a turntable, so that takes care of what goes on the top shelf. The other components: A preamp, a separate phono preamp, a CD transport and DAC in one box, a Bluesound Node streamer.

With all else equal, should, say, the phono preamp and the preamp be near each other? Far apart? does it not matter? I've generally just kind of plunked things down and gone from there -- and haven't experienced too much trouble -- though some years back when I had the preamp (the main one, not the phono pre) up close to the turntable I had a bit of hum, so put the preamp on the bottom shelf and have continued to do so.

Still, as I got to wondering and am set to get to work on this soonish, I thought I'd ask if there's a generally accepted way of arranging things.

Thanks very much.

-- Howard

hodu
manogolf
68 posts
 
@mc 

I recall reading a post where you suggested a minimalist setup that included an integrated amp. Do you have that handy? I am unable to find it. 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
manogolf, I have always recommend a minimalist setup built around an integrated amp, with speakers in the mid-90dB sensitivity range. There’s probably at least a hundred posts on system building, how to budget and plan, etc. Sounds like you just bought a lot of stuff, and now are looking to optimize or maybe even upgrade what you have?
manogolf
68 posts
 
Yes MC I have read your advocacy for mid to high sensitivity ratings and understand the rationale. Several key mistake were made in my binge and admittedly one is speaker sensitivity.
Bargain minded was my plight instead of reason applying sensibility and I impulsed bought a speaker pair sensitive rated at 86 db. I would take a 50% loss on resale and am willing to take the beating. I hope for a 70% loss on other components but it could turn out worse. Setting a true north is the present plan.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Ouch! I feel your pain. Well that is all spilt milk under the bridge. What matters now is you are setting a new course. Maybe this can be like a case study or something in how to execute a turnaround save? 

I notice you don't have a system page. Neither did I for a long time. Until one day someone asked, and I took some pictures. Even though I am old school enough, never was on FB even, the whole thing felt sort of neurotically narcissistic. But hey, turns out to be one of the best things I ever did. Even though it is my own system I look at it a lot differently now, literally looking at those pictures helps me understand what is going on. 

So think of it as self-help. Don't have to be National Geographic quality, or even Architectural Digest, any old snapshots will do. Just so they show all the components, where they are, how they are connected. It really helps to make sense of things. People can write and write, when one photo can tell the story. 

Also you get the comments on your system page, and it can become sort of a log of what progress you are making. That anyway is my idea for now. And now the system is warmed up, my steak is digesting, time to go spin some vinyl. Cheers!
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,230 posts
 
Howard, I think you have it exactly right. If anything is going to cause trouble it would be the amps electromagnetic field interfering with low level equipment particularly phono stages. Putting the amps as far away from everything else is the way to go. Between the speakers keeping the speaker cables as short as possible is best and that is what you are doing. If you can run balanced cables to the amp that is even better. But, for years I ran single ended cables without any difficulty but never longer than 25 feet. Some people might argue that with toroidal transformers distance does not matter but speaker cable length remains an issue and like you it makes my brain happier. 
Turntable on top is standard for obvious reasons. The rest I do not think matters at all. I always try to keep power lines away from signal lines and always crossing at 90 degrees. 
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