[bosound]

I plan to build some racks for my gear which has outgrown the furniture on which it sits.

As a bibliophile and  (wannabe) audiophile, I have lots of books to store and some quite heavy components to support. I plan to build a very sturdy wood rack using something like mapleshade blocks under the shelves for isolation.  If I build a rack which has one shelf for books inside a rack which holds audio equipment, would this likely help damping all else being equal?  Is there a problem with incorporating books into an audio rack?  My books are relatively large and  heavy textbooks mainly. 

Anyone have experience in this area?

[Big Red Machine]

DO you vibrationally dampen the rack using books?  Not sure that would help much.  But if you are looking at maple, try Dawn's platforms, she is on audiogon, and save some money over the "brand" names:  http://stores.ebay.com/Dawns-Depot

Also, Overstock.com has butcher blcok cutting boards really cheap and oiften have very low shipping rates.

For instance:  http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Maple-Edge-Grain-24x18-inch-Cutting-Board/3303891/product.html

[bosound]

Thank you for those links, Big Red Machine.  They should be very helpful.

I am guessing that having one shelf devoted to books shouldn't degrade the sound of the rack.