[KTS]

I built an audio rack that would fit the gear I like to use, I had no expectations of any improvement sonically. I went from a console to a rack and soundstage and imaging seem have improved. Has anyone had the same experience? I am including a couple of pictures of the differences. The defusing and absorption were changed prior to putting the new rack in, I did not take a picture.

[AllanS]

If reflections contain spatial clues contributing to the sense of space, by changing / managing those reflections it’s not surprising that you are perceiving an improvement.  Others may chime in with their experience, but I’ve found the subtleties of sound stage depth, width, and layering to be a fickle thing.

Great job on the rack!

[KTS]

Thank you AllanS, when I changed the defusing and absorption around prior to the rack, it definitely changed the soundstage and imaging as well. I have been involved in this hobby for a while and it still amazes me how little tweaks will change things. Thank for the compliment on the rack, I could not find anything that fit my gear for under 1500 that was quality, the build was 300 all in, minus my labor and I could build to suit with an easily repeatable setup, should I need more at some point.

[Photon46]

It's been my experience that some components are quite noticeably affected by their supports, tuning feet, etc. The more resolving your system becomes, the more you notice these things. There's no one size fits all answer to whether any given shelf, rack, footer, etc. is going to have an effect though. I've tried half a dozen different supports for my Auralic G2.2 and only one made an audible difference (and not for the better.) My Luxman components are unaffected by such things. My Modwright amps and preamps, on the other hand,  are noticeably affected by their supports and footers. My PS Audio M1200 mono amps are also very much audibly affected by what they are situated on. The PS Audio BHK250 amp was much less so.

[KTS]

It's been my experience that some components are quite noticeably affected by their supports, tuning feet, etc. The more resolving your system becomes, the more you notice these things. There's no one size fits all answer to whether any given shelf, rack, footer, etc. is going to have an effect though. I've tried half a dozen different supports for my Auralic G2.2 and only one made an audible difference (and not for the better.) My Luxman components are unaffected by such things. My Modwright amps and preamps, on the other hand,  are noticeably affected by their supports and footers. My PS Audio M1200 mono amps are also very much audibly affected by what they are situated on. The PS Audio BHK250 amp was much less so.

Sounds like I get to explore isolation for the components, I have found only changing one thing at a time and giving myself real time living with it keeps the placebo effect in check. Thank you for the advice, much appreciated!

[Photon46]

Sounds like I get to explore isolation for the components, I have found only changing one thing at a time and giving myself real time living with it keeps the placebo effect in check. Thank you for the advice, much appreciated!

I've found a good check on that is to install the item under test and not worry too much about immediately trying to hear the effect. Listen for a few days and take it out. Often, the lack of something is better at telling if it really made a difference.

I've often had more of a negative expectation that some cable or footer would affect a meaningful change. I also try to buy such things used rather than new so I can sell them for little loss if they're ineffectual. That also helps keep expectation bias at bay.

[Tyson]

I've found a good check on that is to install the item under test and not worry too much about immediately trying to hear the effect. Listen for a few days and take it out. Often, the lack of something is better at telling if it really made a difference.

I've often had more of a negative expectation that some cable or footer would affect a meaningful change. I also try to buy such things used rather than new so I can sell them for little loss if they're ineffectual. That also helps keep expectation bias at bay.

+1 excellent advice.

[toocool4]

The rack does make a difference, mostly depending on how much vibration is getting back to your equipment from the floor. If you want to get more out of your rack, try getting quality footers. When I was in a house with wooden floor boards, when I added the Finite elements Cerabase footers, wow it was at a different level.

[KTS]

I've found a good check on that is to install the item under test and not worry too much about immediately trying to hear the effect. Listen for a few days and take it out. Often, the lack of something is better at telling if it really made a difference.


I've often had more of a negative expectation that some cable or footer would affect a meaningful change. I also try to buy such things used rather than new so I can sell them for little loss if they're ineffectual. That also helps keep expectation bias at bay.

Photon46
That is a very intelligent approach, I have always performed testing in reverse of your recommendations, but it is less daunting to hear what’s missing than what was added. Thank you! I have built most everything I currently have speakers, preamp and amp. I will try the used market on isolation, solid advice!

Toocool4

I will investigate the footers you are using, thanks for the advice/recomendation.