AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Owner's Circles => Vapor Audio => Topic started by: EdRo on 10 Apr 2015, 01:52 pm
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Hey Guys!!! This is Ed, and I build the Aurora and Nimbus cabs. My goal is to supply customers with products that equal or exceed the look of my speaker designs. I've been working on a pet project for almost 2 years. All I can say now is that it's milled from solid 6061 aluminum and bamboo plywood, and Herbies products will be liberally sprinkled throughout. This will make it's audition at Axpona, and I can't believe how it's turning out!!!! I hope everyone else likes this different direction I've went in for this necessary accessory!
Here are some pics, and let the debate begin!
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=118792)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=118793)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=118794)
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A chicken disemboweling apparatus?
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Is it part of a rack?
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Is it part of a rack?
A medieval torture rack maybe, or possibly it's an automated back scratcher.
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What size have this block?
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What size have this block?
Are we playing word jumble now?
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??? Ok, Fullrangeguy, the size of my block is a bit personal, don'tcha think? :lol:
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A scalloped chingadera with angled rangle supports.
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DINGDINGDING!!! A rack it is!!! I thought it would be tougher then that to figure out!!! Do we have some Mensa members trolling here or what?
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Are we playing word jumble now?
??? Ok, Fullrangeguy, the size of my block is a bit personal, don'tcha think? :lol:
Sorry
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DINGDINGDING!!! A rack it is!!!
Hey, I call the shots around here and I say it's a scalloped chingadera with angled rangle supports. :rotflmao:
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I've designed a four shelf cantilever rack; three shelves are adjustable. The top shelf should work well for turntables and such. I chose bamboo plywood because of it's strength and sustainability. Many people seem to prefer how maple interacts with components in comparison to tempered glass, quartz or granite; I hope that bamboo, while costlier, will have a similar sonic signature with more strength and stability. Here's an earlier rendering without the bamboo shelving. I've made a few changes to the arms, also. The bamboo will be pegged in place on the arms for a cleaner look. Please let me know what you all think of my latest creation!!!
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=118799)
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I've designed a four shelf cantilever rack; three shelves are adjustable. The top shelf should work well for turntables and such. I chose bamboo plywood because of it's strength and sustainability. Many people seem to prefer how maple interacts with components in comparison to tempered glass, quartz or granite; I hope that bamboo, while costlier, will have a similar sonic signature with more strength and stability. Here's an earlier rendering without the bamboo shelving. I've made a few changes to the arms, also. The bamboo will be pegged in place on the arms for a cleaner look. Please let me know what you all think of my latest creation!!!
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=118799)
I don't know... if you send me one I'll give it a whirl and let you know. :green:
Looks really nice, I like the materials... I recently got samples of stranded bamboo ply and it is some really solid stuff! I think an aluminum/bamboo composite material would make for a good speaker baffle too.
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Fullrangeman, maybe you're asking how large is the bottom plate, ? It's 20"wide x 34" deep x around 44" tall. The shelves are 18"deep x 24" wide to give you plenty of room for gear. These shelves will be open on 3 sides, and because of the cantilever design (one shelf isn't directly over the others), your equipment will have superior heat dispersion.
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(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4BHIQ7WtgcM/UsTnf9wAPSI/AAAAAAAABTA/I3ZZxEk1VaM/s1600/pinkie-pie-smile-meme-generator-it-s-so-beautiful-0c5789.jpg.png)
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Looks really neat! Is there a secondary locking mechanism? Is it possible that a hard bump or jolt at the right angle or direction can cause the shelf to become unstable?
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The weight of the arms themselves keep the shelves in place. The roundstock 6061 aluminum across the teeth in the back keep the shelves in position. No tools are needed to adjust the shelves. If the front of the arms are lifted high enough to take the roundstock out of the teeth in the back, the shelf will move, but because of the almost diagonal angle of the spine or "rails" that the arms ride on, the arms don't "fall". They slide down the rear "rails" very controllably. I tried to design a simple yet strong rack; one that could be adjusted almost infinitely, convenient to use and adjust, able to display gear well, but be strong and stable.
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I love your work on my Auroras and totally trust your skills. Looking forward to see this come together so we can see some price ranges. Love the red color! :thumb:
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What is the maximum weight each shelf can support?
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I need to do a test to failure on this design; the pieces of the prototype are at the anodizer as I type now. My metal guy tells me that this is CRAZY strong. The arms are 1" x 1.5" thick solid 6061 aluminum. I'm guessing conservatively that they'll hold up just about any amp that'll fit on a 20" x 22" table. I'm a wood guy, so if there are any aluminum guys out there, (hey Aluminati guys?) maybe they could shed some light? From my Viking point of view, this is SOLID!!!
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The arms are 1" x 1.5" thick solid 6061 aluminum. I'm guessing conservatively that they'll hold up just about any amp that'll fit on a 20" x 22" table.
I'm sure you're right.
I'm a fan of both Bamboo and aluminum as well as cantilevers, but not so much of angled racks. Beyond the polarizing aesthetics, they take up more floor space. I like to get close and personal when operating a turntable, and having to lean forward with my ankles or shins up against the bottom shelf would be too much of an ergonomic tradeoff even with improved heat dissipation.
Perhaps consider an upright variant as an alternate model?
Steve
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Hey Steve. Thanks for your insight. I would like to point out that this rack is truly open on three sides. It wouldn't be tough to situate a turntable for easy access to the left or right on these floating shelves. And, these shelves are 20" x 24". I think I put down 18" x 24" earlier. Plenty of room for a turntable and various weights, say, or Star Wars action figures even. (My wife prefers Lady Death)
Again, thanks for the insight, guys. I want this rack to be the best that I can build.
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DINGDINGDING!!! A rack it is!!! I thought it would be tougher then that to figure out!!! Do we have some Mensa members trolling here or what?
Woohoo!!! I won! Did I win the rack? :wink:
And thanks. In my own head, I'm a genius. But the amount my wife rolls her eyes at me makes me wonder where I really sit mentally...
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Nice rack! Oh wait, that sounds inappropriate. . .I don't even know you. But I do know Ryan. . .
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Yeah my concern would be needing to lean in to change an LP on that top shelf. Not sure how I'd like putting on an LP or doing other turntable set up work from the side.
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I think Ed meant that you could just use the entire rack turned either left or right so that you would have access to the top shelf without any obstructions. Right? Could even help keep the cables from crossing over each other if that's your thing. :thumb:
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I think Ed meant that you could just use the entire rack turned either left or right so that you would have access to the top shelf without any obstructions
That would even look weirder having the components offset in a diagonal line. I suppose it might look more normal if you had an ultra-modern living space with hanging egg pod chairs. If you had enough components you could use two mirror imaged for symmetry! ;)
(I would still prefer a more upright version)
Steve
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I think Ed meant that you could just use the entire rack turned either left or right so that you would have access to the top shelf without any obstructions. Right? Could even help keep the cables from crossing over each other if that's your thing. :thumb:
I think he means a normally proportioned human wouldn't have any problem replacing a disc or dropping the arm when standing to the side of the rack.
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Yup. Thats exactly what I meant. Standing to the left or right of center will allow unfettered access to anything on the rack, whether it's on the bottom, mid or top shelves. 3 dimensional chess would be possible, since the shelves are floating and completely open on 3 sides. I apologize for the confusion; as soon as I get the parts from the anodizer I will take a plethora of pics. Since this is my prototype, I hope to have lots of feedback. I really appreciate everyone's thoughts on this.
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Here's s'more pics guys! Almost done!!! What do you think?
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119460)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119461)
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That's pretty sexy.
I have no doubt I'll rip off that idea someday. :wink:
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My idea was to try to get the rack to disappear; I wanted the shelves with equipment to visually float.The shelves are completely open on 3 sides for full access and viewing. So many manufacturers out there have spent so much effort to make their gear look great. Why put it behind 4 massive corner posts, one shelf on top of the other? I say let those glowing tubes breathe!!! Let the craftsmen that put the effort (and the customers that PAID for that effort!) to make equipment not only sound great AND look great enjoy the fruits of their labor! Don't hide your expensive gear under boring stacks of shelves groaning under the weight of their own visual mediocrity!!! Be FREE of your chains people!!! BE FREEEE!!!! :banana piano:
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I'm thinking some BIG speakers need to flank that rack for the proper visual statement!
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I would love one of those in metallic red! :thumb:
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Big...like Perfect Storm big???!!!
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This rack is solid aluminum, so powder coating in just about any color is possible. Whatever floats yer boat, Gentlebender!!! I am here to serve!!!
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Yes, solid aluminum so many possible colors of anodizing or powder coating. Also we'll likely offer different options for shelf material, both wood and solid surface (countertop) materials.
We haven't set final pricing yet, but believe based on material and machining costs that it will be around $6000 to start. There's nothing on the market built to this level that I'm aware of. Of course it needs to be incredibly strong to hold 100 pound components in the way it does, but like everything we do over-the-top construction and unique final product was the goal. I think Ed knocked it out of the park!
Everybody will get to see it in person at Axpona, just a few short days away.
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Nice looking rack! :thumb:
Years ago I owned a Standesigns 5 audio rack. Similar concept: floating shelves, swept back design. Build quality not as good as I see here. Cheap laminated chipboard shelves (maybe plywood?) that were fixed, not adjustable. My main complaint was the rear center spine which always got in the way of hooking up my gear. Sometimes I would need to locate my gear off center in order to make the connections. Drove me nuts. Sold it.
See pics here:
https://www.google.com/search?q=standesign+5+component+rack&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=-SQ1VZ2-COq1sQStuIF4&ved=0CC8QsAQ&biw=1024&bih=615#tbm=isch&q=standesign+4+component+rack
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Thanks for the link, Sunnydaze! I guess there isn't anything new under the sun. I had the inspiration for my rack design from a climbing tree stand. I figured that this design would be ideal for high end audio equipment, because it could do many things very well. I designed my rack with larger shelves and a "double spine" spaced 20" apart for clear access to the back of most equipment. I wanted 3 sides completely clear; not just for viewing gear, but for ample clearance for maximum air flow around components. The rake back, while taking up a little more space, avoids the "tower of heat" norm without using noisy fans for cooling. I wanted tool-free shelf adjustability. When one of these shelves are lifted in the front, it can then be slid up or down easily. The "teeth" going down the back of the double "spines" keep the shelves where they are put. Not only do the shelves appear to be "floating" in the stand, but the bamboo shelves are also floating on the arms themselves; resting on Herbies finest db neutralizer pads. 2 pins (one on each arm per shelf)keeps each shelf in position if and when equipment might be slid in place. I didn't want the bamboo anchored down to the aluminum to help minimize transferred vibration from the aluminum structure. Not to mention the threaded stud gliders with more db-Neutralizer to keep things quiet from the bottom up. Thanks, Steve at Herbies!!! They really make great stuff over at Herbies!!!
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It's all good Ed -- I love the look, design, obvious build quality, flexibility and ease of use.
Well thought out, good luck with it! :thumb:
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Just a small comment. May be the edge of the frame at the foot of the rack shall be slightly rounded instead of sloped cut to make make it more refine and less industrial look. And the base of the rack can be covered with similar shelf board same height as the frame to make it more polished and give extra storing space for distribution strip or other small items.
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I like that idea, latebloomer! The bamboo ply is pricey, but laying that across the top of the base would look good. I'm more of a strength/form follows function guy, but the more I look at my prototype, the more I can imagine the bottom trimmed out with this wood. I think it would really set this rack off! Thanks for the idea! It'll be a great option!
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(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119571)
Here's the rack with the top "turntable" shelf on. The top shelf is 1.5" thick with Herbies dbNeutralizer between the bamboo shelf and aluminum arms. It's a hearty 24" x 24", so most turntables would look stately sitting atop the pinnacle of this rack. And there still might be some room for Star Wars action figures? Or a cat?
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I thought I was the only one with Star Wars action figures in my room. :scratch:
Those "steps" do provide the cat a nice staircase to the curtain rod, now that you mention it.
Also, you've going to get nasty letters from audiophiles regarding their bruised shins. :lol:
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As long is the Star Wars figure doesn't speak while the music is on and not Jar Jar Binks :lol:
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MEsa THINKsa YOUsa RIGHTsa!!!! shuddershudder!!!
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I changed my mind. I think the board at the base of the rack need not to be same height as the frame, which make it overkill and gives the impression the rack is less sturdy. It is maybe half an inch will do. It doesn't have to be bamboo shelf and should use slightly difference color tone to differentiate it from the rest 'audiophile' type bamboo shelves. And I think the edges of bamboo shelf should have minor round curve instead of 90 degree right angle shape to 'soften' the rack industrial appearance. Sorry I just got carry away. :P