Rack, isolation, coupling, suggestions for newbie?

Mars · « **on:** 10 May 2006, 07:47 pm »

All,
I am a first timer here, was told about a lot of good things about this forum, so pls be kind with me?

First of all, my system consists of an SB3 as transport, Lite Audio DAC60, Audio Research Reference 3 preamp, Audio Research Ref 210 amp, and Focal JM-Lab Electra BE 1027 floorstanding speakers. I have just bought these equipment very recently and I'm now looking to find the best way to house my electronic. I'm very new in the high-end audio world.

I would like to ask a few questions, any comments/suggestions will be very much appreciated.

(1) If I have about $1000 to spend on rack, isolation, coupling for my music player, preamp and amp, what will be the best way to go about doing it?

(2) I noticed that a lot of people use an amp stand/platform for their amp, i.e. they don't house their amp on the same rack as the other components. But I don't really understand why. Is it because the amp will vibrate so much that it will impact the sound of the other components?

(3) I read something about Maple wood, can someone tell me what kind of sound will "maple" add? Is maple better with tube or solid state components?

(4) I am also aware that there's company called timbernation that makes really good looking maple racks. I'm actually thinking of getting a 2 inch maple platform for my amp, and then get a 3 shelves rack each shelf of 1 inch thickness for my SB3, DAC, and preamp, are these a good choice?

Thank you all.
Marshall
Washington

witchdoctor · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 May 2006, 08:18 pm »

Hi Marshall,
Here are some points to consider:

1) Function- Will your rack hold the weight of your equipment? Will it improve the sound? Will it look nice?
2) Will you need to separate the components from the shelves using cones, vibrpods, etc?
3) What is the best bang for your buck?

I would consider reading reviews here, at ecoustics.com and audioreview.com and speaking to a knowledgeable dealer for #1 and #2.
I would check with some various dealers and check www.audiogon.com to answer #3.

OTL · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 May 2006, 10:31 pm »

Pretty hard to beat for $500 bucks:
http://www.savantaudio.com/ss35b.html

But you can get something nice for a bit less:
http://www.savantaudio.com/soz560.html

About the best quality your likely to find. And it just a few bucks over budget! http://www.savantaudio.com/sa4stnd.html

Also suggest you take a look at the Target stands on the Savant site. Very cost effective and have been holding up more than 500 lbs of
gear at my place for 11 years or so.

Just my 2 cents, but I'd suggest a $500 stand and $500 of music.

Listen, share and enjoy!

Mike B.

woodsyi · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 May 2006, 01:36 am »

Welcome Marshall,

You don't necessarilly have to have a separate amp rack. Most people who have them I think have monoblocks that they want to keep close to the speakers to minimize the speaker cable length. Of course, your interconnects get longer. Since you have a stereo amp, I would just get a double width shelf with perhaps 6 shelves total. If you are placing it between the speakers, you probably don't want them too tall as it could mess with the mid/high sound -- more so for closed cabinet that present a solid wall between the speakers but not as much with open rack.

FYI, I use Adona rack and amp stands.

Gordy · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 May 2006, 04:53 am »

Hello Marshall,

Here's a great inexpensive alternative... http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/flexye.html

You can get as fancy as you like with the shelving, anything from MDF to 2" Maple and Chris at Timbernation could even predrill the shelves if you want to go that route. McMaster Carr carries the 3/4" All Thread uprights for about $8.00 a piece... http://www.mcmaster.com/

Good luck in your journey!!!

Mars · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 May 2006, 05:23 am »

Thanks to all your kind posts. I probably need to take a bit more time to digest all these and do a bit more research. Adona racks look pretty good, but those that I like cost more than $1k.

Seems like nobody is a fan of maple wood, perhaps this thing has gotten so "hyped-up" by Mapleshade, I mean if you read what they wrote on their website, it gotta really turn people on..

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 May 2006, 05:32 am »

You mentioned Timbernation...he's posted some of his work here......you might check with him for a custom rack.

Gordy · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 May 2006, 05:35 am »

I love Maple

My amp stands and four shelf rack are all made of laminated Maple like Timbernation uses, as opposed to end grain butcher block...

There really is no single answer to what works best, Rim's cement floor will have a much different effect on the type of rack and components he favors as compared to my suspended wood flooring for instance... now how's that for a can of worms

woodsyi · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 May 2006, 11:36 am »

Quote from: Gordy

I love Maple My amp stands and four shelf rack are all made of laminated Maple like Timbernation uses, as opposed to end grain butcher block...

There really is no single answer to what works best, Rim's cement floor will have a much different effect on the type of rack and components he favors as compared to my suspended wood flooring for instance... now how's that for a can of worms

I definitely like the fact that spikes drive through the carpeting and the whole rack is coupled to the concrete floor. It's rock solid, baby.

I tried different "furniture" shelves but did not like them as much.

JoshK · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 May 2006, 02:50 pm »

Quote from: lonewolfny42

You mentioned Timbernation...he's posted some of his work here......you might check with him for a custom rack.

I was going to say the same thing. I think it offers a better value and is more WAF friendly.

Mars · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 May 2006, 03:44 pm »

Quote from: Gordy

Hello Marshall,

Here's a great inexpensive alternative... http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/flexye.html

You can get as fancy as you like with the shelving, anything from MDF to 2" Maple and Chris at Timbernation could even predrill the shelves if you want to go that route. McMaster Carr carries the 3/4" All Thread uprights for about $8.00 a piece... http://www.mcmaster.com/

Good luck in your journey!!!

Hi Gordy,
Just wondering, where can I find the spikes for the threaded rods??

Thanks
Marshall

JLM · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 May 2006, 02:14 am »

I'm old school, so I might be convinced to spend 5% of my system budget on rack and isolation. I bought a $30 Ikea nightstand that looks like a little equipment rack (about 15" deep, 20" wide, and 22" high). It has 1.5 inch thick top and bottom shelves with a 3/4 inch adjustable shelf in the middle and 1 inch thick sides. It was made to mount on casters, but I used the posts only. I tried Panda Feet (sorbathane sized by weight) but couldn't tell any difference. Might try Vibrapod/cones some day just because they're cheap enough.

The simply rule of thumb is isolate if you're on wood floors, spike if you're on concrete.

Gordy · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 May 2006, 02:27 am »

Hi Marshall,

I have wood floors and, like JLM noted, I don't use spikes on the legs. What I did was make square 'cups' out of the same Maple boards as my shelves are made of. Basically just 2.5x2.5x1.75" blocks with holes drilled into them to accept the threaded rod. I added teflon sliders to the bottom of blocks to help with the occasion (

) cable or equipment swap.

Might check with Mapleshade to see if they sell their threaded spikes??? But they may be a 1" thread....

fajimr · « **Reply #13 on:** 31 May 2006, 03:57 am »

Quote from: Mars

Just wondering, where can I find the spikes for the threaded rods??

hey marshall,

check out audioadvisor- they have salamander spikes ... 5/8" I believe. 40 bucks... it's the only option I have run across

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=SALMEGSPIK&product_name=MegaSpikes%20for%20Archetype%20Racks

The flexy rack is on my to do list so I've been searching out parts. good luck and report back what you end up doing....