Help finding moderately priced, good quality equipment racks

JLM · « **on:** 21 May 2004, 02:14 am »

Seems like the audio rags only look at $1,000 and up racks.

Can someone tell me why they should cost so much? (Other than audio nuts are suckers.)

I'd like:

1. An open rack with 3 or 4 shelves;

2. Something solid (more than MDF and gauge stock tubing);

3. Have it be reasonable attractive

4. Keep cost under $300.

At this point I'm thinking about DIY out of painted unistrut. Even that idea came from an upcoming 6moons review. (Of course they product costs thousands.)

thanks

Ron D · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 May 2004, 02:42 am »

check ouyt Noel Nolan's gear at www.skylandstands.com

WEEZ · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 May 2004, 02:46 am »

JLM-

I share your frustration with the high prices of racks.

One thing I was thinking about was building a flexi-rack like on the TNT-Audio site. Kinda like the Mapleshade rack.

WEEZ

warnerwh · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 May 2004, 04:16 am »

You can build a Salamander clone easily enough. All you need is bar stock, washers and nuts to hold some finish grade plywood together. Did mine for 200 or so. Looks good, is very strong and it's adjustable as I change requirements for my system. I'm not exactly a good woodworker either.
Most people tend to use 3/4" bar stock but I had to use 5/8" as I couldn't get enough of the other. This has held a 36" Toshiba(160lbs) plus an 85lb amp and 70lb amp, not to mention the lightweight stuff like preamp tuner etc. You can search AA as this is a common project. Best of all you can design it to suite your own personal requirements.

jgubman · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 May 2004, 04:27 am »

I bought a Salamander synergy s40 and a synergy twin s20 both from this guy:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accsrack&1089821426

Very happy with the racks, very adjustable, sturdy and well vented.

The guy gave a very good discount on the racks, I'm sure a s30 would fit well into your budget range.

JoshK · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 May 2004, 04:31 am »

Well if you aren't into DIY, there is timbernation.com, there is the Usher Racks (check out response audio's website for picture, really nice looking and $300).

:Begin Rant:
I think $1000+ is silly for a rack of mediocre quality that most audio rag brand racks are. For $1,000+ I expect it to be heirloom quality, fit in a mansion decor type rack and still provide excellent isolation. That is what you would get if you were going to a cabinet maker with a $1000+ budget. That is what I would make for myself for a fraction of that. Hi-end audio is silliness by and large. You don't get what you pay for!
:End Rant:

nature boy · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 May 2004, 12:16 pm »

If you don't mind basic black, I highly recommend a Vantage Point ALAW409-B Altus 4-Shelf Audio Stand. Here are the features:

Features 4-shelf audio rack:
-Assembles without tools in under 10 minutes
-9" spacing between shelves
-Accommodates components up to 18"D & 19.5"W
-Leveling spikes included
-Black powdercoat finish
-Limited lifetime warranty
-Dim: 24"W x 33"H x 18"

Extremely sturdy. Hollow steel connectors can be sand or lead filled.
Available at Buy.Com for $120.54 + shipping. Tough price to beat. Here is a link:

http://www.buy.com/retail/electronics/product.asp?sku=90113260&loc=111&sp=1

NB

Val · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 May 2004, 08:00 pm »

I don't mind low racks because they diffract a lot less than taller ones when positioned between and behind the speakers, so my vote is for Sanus' EFAB (or is it EFAV?).

Val

JLM · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 May 2004, 12:28 am »

Thanks for the responses. Some of those I had seen, but recently lost all my favorites.

Next question: What makes an audio equipment rack sound better? I've heard raves regarding the mapleshade samson, but it starts at $600.

Thanks.

Carlman · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 May 2004, 02:49 am »

Quote from: JLM

Thanks for the responses. Some of those I had seen, but recently lost all my favorites.

Next question: What makes an audio equipment rack sound better? I've heard raves regarding the mapleshade samson, but it starts at $600.

Thanks.

In my opinion, not much. It's a tweak. I've had Ikea Lack tables, vibrapods on maple shelves, cheapo junk, milk crates, wall mounted, and on all sorts of things...

It's got to be sturdy and somewhat heavy. That combo has yielded good imaging and detailed bass for me. However, it's not like any of the racks, furniture, or squishy pads signifigantly improved the sound.

In fact, the only signifigant difference I've ever heard was a detriment. -it was some really soft sorbothane feet under my DAC. That somehow sucked some of the life out of the music. It wasn't huge, just noticeable.

I think as long as it's sturdy and has some mass, the sound will be good. If you can hear the difference amongst good racks that have those 2 qualities, you have better ears than mine.

MaxxC · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 May 2004, 01:55 am »

The 204 rack sells for $299 with free shipping from Audio Advisor. 4 shelfs, high impact glass racks, real hardwood finish. Absolute steal and very attractive.

Bill@LakeGeorge · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 May 2004, 02:20 pm »

http://www.uniquestylesolutions.com/plateau_audio_stands.htm

These are excellant for the $$$

JLM · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 May 2004, 10:12 am »

Thanks much Bill, I think I found just what I wanted.

cjr888 · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 May 2004, 10:31 am »

I don't own one, but for the cheaper ones, I always liked the way the VTI racks looked.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14968&item=5701683662&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20488&item=4304550170&rd=1

tkp · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 May 2004, 02:18 pm »

Quote from: cjr888

I don't own one, but for the cheaper ones, I always liked the way the VTI racks looked.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14968&item=5701683662&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20488&item=4304550170&rd=1

VTI rack, while looking good on the picture, is very weak because of the thin metal use on the frame. A much better choice is Lovan. Audio Advisor has the Classic I on sale for $ 200.00 plus a $ 50.00 discount and free shipping. I have used both VTI and Lovan.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=LOCLASI&product_name=Classic%20I%20Four-Shelf%20Audio%20Rack%20with%20Gold%20Accents

mca · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 May 2004, 03:04 pm »

Outlaw Audio has a new line of racks that look pretty nice for the price.

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/racks.html

JLM · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 May 2004, 04:33 pm »

tkp:

How about this one:

http://www.uniquestylesolutions.com/vti-bl304.asp

I like the 3 leg design for it's inherent stability, the ability to completely add and remove shelves (of different heights), the option for cherry shelves, and the point supports between each shelf. I don't live in an earthquake zone or will have kids in the room to knock it over.

tkp · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 May 2004, 05:54 pm »

Quote from: JLM

tkp:

How about this one:

http://www.uniquestylesolutions.com/vti-bl304.asp

I like the 3 leg design for it's inherent stability, the ability to completely add and remove shelves (of different heights), the option for cherry shelves, and the point supports between each shelf. I don't live in an earthquake zone or will have kids in the room to knock it over.

This rack is the same to the Lovan Classic I (three legs also) that I posted above except for a few things

a) The metal thickness of the frame on VTI is thinner compare to Lovan.
b) The paint job is cheaper. It is hard to explain without looking at the actual unit. I bought a VTI rack based on pictures and I was disappointed when I got it in because it is really cheap looking when compare to the Lovan stuff.
C) The gold cap on the VTI is also lower quality.

To me, VTI coppied the Lovan design and use cheaper material and sell their product at lower MSRP. In reality, you can get very good deal on Lovan rack and have a much better products.

JLM · « **Reply #18 on:** 28 May 2004, 11:46 am »

tkp:

Well I visited audioadvisor.com (they located 70 from my house, but have no showroom) and looked at the Lovan. Using the close-up viewing it doesn't really look like anything to write home about, but I do appreciate the current sale pricing of $199 vs. the normal $379.

BTW I'm looking to buy either the Unison Unico amp or the Cayin TA-30 with a Denon 2900 player in the gold finish so it'd be nice to have a looksome rack. I just can't see paying hundreds for a simple rack. I'm using a black Techlines 36 inch wide x 30 inch high x 18 inch deep cabinet that includes 3 full extension drawers that hold a total of 750 jewel boxes for my living room receiver/CD player. (I'll have 3 more cabinets with similar storage capacity built in the listening room.) It cost about the same as these nicer racks folks have been suggesting, looks decent, and stores all those CD's (so mass is not an issue). And I have another matching Techline with two shelves and a drawer for my HT system that I cut an opening in the back for cabling. From what I've seen I might just keep using the Techline stuff in the listening room and just buy something nice looking for the living room.

As I don't need it right away, researching lots of stuff in preparation to build a house with dedicated listening room, I'll keep my options open for now.

tkp · « **Reply #19 on:** 28 May 2004, 01:53 pm »

JLM,

I did not say Lovan stuff is the best out there. I only said that it is better than VTI (in my opinion, of course). The price $ 199.00 is at their website. They sent me monthly email sale flyer and they included $ 50.00 discount coupon code plus free shipping. I typically deleted the email after reading it because I don't need any more audio rack.

If you want some thing really good then it is tough because they are typically expensive (Billybags, Sound Anchors). I normally look for used stuff at Audiogon if I cannot afford it brand new.