Budget audio racks

mix4fix · « **on:** 29 Aug 2018, 04:38 pm »

Any thoughts on budget audio racks from Sanus or Pangea or other brands?

JakeJ · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 Aug 2018, 04:56 pm »

VTI is another inexpensive brand of AV racks and stands.

Doublej · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 Aug 2018, 05:06 pm »

Monolith by Monoprice.

pinkfloyd4ever · « **Reply #3 on:** 29 Aug 2018, 05:07 pm »

Edit:looks like doublej beat me to it

Monoprice recently added component racks and speaker stands to their Monolith line. The cheapest speaker stands of this heft that I've seen.

https://www.monoprice.com/search/index?keyword=monolith

Don't have any myself, but they generally make decent stuff for the price. I'll probably ask for a pair of the speaker stands for my b-day.

jpm · « **Reply #4 on:** 29 Aug 2018, 05:47 pm »

The Monoprice stands and rack appear to be very similar to the Pangea ones. Can't say for certain without comparing them in person, but I'd guess they come from the same far east supplier. Monoprice is quite generous with coupons so it shouldn't be too hard to score additional discounts.

JLM · « **Reply #5 on:** 29 Aug 2018, 07:47 pm »

See if Ikea has anything you can use. Years ago I bought a pair of nightstands ($90 shipping included, haven't seen it in years now) that made wonderful equipment racks (top/bottom/sides are 1.25 inches thick, overall 20.5 inches by 20.5 inches by 16 inches deep, inside 17.25 inches clear, several sets of holes for 0.75 inch thick shelves, each came with one shelf). Also came with casters (I used the post as spikes). So borrowing the shelf from one I was able to hold (4) full sized components (2 of which could be very heavy) and have a leftover matching stand to put next to my listening chair.

illini_skn · « **Reply #6 on:** 29 Aug 2018, 09:10 pm »

A few years back, the fellow who produced the Neuance shelves (one of the best isolation shelves made) posted a DIY recipe that involved the use of Ikea Lack tables to make an audio rack. The basic principle is that the underlying science used in the Lack were similar (but inferior) to the what Neuance also used. The one caveat is that you must use the more expensive $20 wood colored Lack tables rather than the cheaper $10 black version as the legs on the latter are hollow. Google "Ikea Lack Rack"... for around $80 plus minimal elbow grease, you will have something that functions far better than it has any right to.

Gopher · « **Reply #7 on:** 29 Aug 2018, 09:18 pm »

I bought one of these for my living room system (non-ref rig) and am very pleased with it: http://prairieaudiomancave.com/reviews--reports/simpli-home-skyler-60-inch-tv-media-stand-revitalizes-our-family-room-look-and-function

twitch54 · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Aug 2018, 12:07 am »

Quote from: Gopher on 29 Aug 2018, 09:18 pm

I bought one of these for my living room system (non-ref rig) and am very pleased with it: http://prairieaudiomancave.com/reviews--reports/simpli-home-skyler-60-inch-tv-media-stand-revitalizes-our-family-room-look-and-function

very handsome piece !! .....

twitch54 · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Aug 2018, 12:08 am »

Quote from: JakeJ on 29 Aug 2018, 04:56 pm

VTI is another inexpensive brand of AV racks and stands.

agreed, using their amp stands for my PASS X260.8's

kbuzz3 · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Aug 2018, 01:43 am »

Quote from: twitch54 on 30 Aug 2018, 12:07 am

very handsome piece !! .....

Agreed. This may inspire me ...

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Aug 2018, 01:59 am »

VTI makes great racks. I use a 6 tier for my Pass amp and BAT preamp. VTI's are not budget racks but they won't break the bank either.

http://www.vtimanufacturing.com/product_category/audio-video-rack/

I also have one like this for a secondary system. It is great because it has a cable management system-

https://www.amazon.com/Yaheetech-Component-Management-Playstation-Speakers/dp/B07146Y9HZ/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1535594398&sr=8-8&keywords=audio+rack

I have a third rack similar to this but paid a lot less, probably $60 on sale. The support posts are all metal-

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072251F3X/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B072251F3X&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=a54d13fc-b8a1-4ce8-b285-d77489a09cf6&pf_rd_r=0836932F2XH06KNVCC79&pd_rd_wg=6Lkas&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_w=Q4KKE&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pd_rd_r=b74dd355-abf8-11e8-b96a-75051c3f57a5

mix4fix · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 Aug 2018, 10:05 am »

What is the price range to be considered budget?

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 Aug 2018, 10:54 am »

Quote from: Gopher on 29 Aug 2018, 09:18 pm

I bought one of these for my living room system (non-ref rig) and am very pleased with it: http://prairieaudiomancave.com/reviews--reports/simpli-home-skyler-60-inch-tv-media-stand-revitalizes-our-family-room-look-and-function

Whoa there folks, this is the Cheap and Cheerful circle. There's not a guideline for racks per say, but $500 or even $300 is crazy out of bounds. The $80 for the Monoprice is stretching it, but as even a diy parts list might get that high I'd consider it.

The Lack table racks and the Flexiracks on TNT Audio are the usual go to C&C racks.

https://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/flexye.html

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/diy/0213/ikea_lack_diy_audio_rack.htm

JLM · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 Aug 2018, 11:16 am »

Recently bought large monitors (definitely not C&C) and put them on (2) 8"x8"x8" concrete blocks with a piece of 2x8 between and added (2) thicknesses of roll of rubbery open 'weave' drawer liner between each layer and (3) thicknesses at the bottom of the monitor. Stylish enough for my man cave (for now) and weighs in at 50 pounds plus monitor for good stability and costs a cheerful $16/pair.

8'x8'x16" blocks are even less expensive. Just add appropriate lengths 2x8. Let 'her' paint to suit if needed. I'm sure there's a chic name for this style (beyond retro early contractor).

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #15 on:** 30 Aug 2018, 11:52 am »

Yes JLM, the least expensive C&C rack. This was our set up in my early seventies bachelor's pad. Some great times back then.

mix4fix · « **Reply #16 on:** 30 Aug 2018, 04:49 pm »

Quote from: Letitroll98 on 30 Aug 2018, 10:54 am

Whoa there folks, this is the Cheap and Cheerful circle. There's not a guideline for racks per say, but $500 or even $300 is crazy out of bounds. The $80 for the Monoprice is stretching it, but as even a diy parts list might get that high I'd consider it.

The Lack table racks and the Flexiracks on TNT Audio are the usual go to C&C racks.

https://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/flexye.html

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/diy/0213/ikea_lack_diy_audio_rack.htm

I would say under $200 if anything because the average retail on a four shelf audio rack from Sanus is $130-ish. It's just a matter of finding one you like.

rollo · « **Reply #17 on:** 30 Aug 2018, 07:27 pm »

With non engineered inexpensive racks all you wing up with is shelves to rest your gear on. If that is all you desire just make your own. Whatever rack you decide on decouple it from your floor. Herbies make great products for that. Another hint is the shelf itself. Constrained layer damping of shelf is key. Get two 1/2" th. shelves and put a viscoelastic membrane between, done. If you do not want to do that than use footers from component to shelf.
Think wood not metal as metal rings and reflects. Have fun trying.

charles

JLM · « **Reply #18 on:** 30 Aug 2018, 11:21 pm »

Coupling makes sense if the floor is 'stiff' (concrete). Decoupling can be a good idea if the floor is 'soft' (wood construction). Theoretically decoupling and resonance control is a science that goes well beyond almost anything I've seen in audio in 40+ years. Practically speaking keep turntables off soft floors and turn the damn volume down. If you really want to isolate rack mounted gear put it in an adjoining room.

Mark Korda · « **Reply #19 on:** 30 Aug 2018, 11:34 pm »

Hi, here is a Jack Benny inspired cheap Hifi rack. I took a trip to a local saw mill and bought some rough cut pine and a couple 4x4's. This sits on my old desk a couple years ago....25 bucks....Mark Korda...I used a hand saw and the front stairs for a saw horse.