Can you recommend some good audio rack please?

michaelv · « **on:** 31 Mar 2007, 07:56 pm »

Hi,
I need to get a new rack 2 shelves, but 3 shelves would be ok too. I look around and there are so many brands that i don't know which one is good for Integrated amp and CDP. My budget would be from $200 - $300. I like the one in http://www.steveblinndesigns.com/ but it's way over my budget. How about Target stand?

thanks.

marvda1 · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 Mar 2007, 08:18 pm »

how about this one.
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=furniture&product=13.1

TomS · « **Reply #2 on:** 31 Mar 2007, 09:08 pm »

Try searching for VTI on Audiogon. I have the 3-shelf horizontal 503 and it might have been about $300. You can fill them with sand and they are reasonably solid.

beachbum · « **Reply #3 on:** 31 Mar 2007, 09:39 pm »

you can get a realy nice plateau rack on u-bid,

marvda1 · « **Reply #4 on:** 31 Mar 2007, 09:41 pm »

here's a vti link.
http://www.racksandstands.com/prods/VTI/BL404/All/0C1/0PVI1001.htm

JLM · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Apr 2007, 06:54 pm »

Here's my "uber" rack:

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15558&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=11460&langId=-1&categoryId=15620&chosenPartNumber=95699507

$30 plus shipping from Ikea. I left the rollers off resulting in "stubby" spikes. 17 inch wide components fit inside, bigger stuff can go on top. I bought a second to use as a side table, so the extra shelf can be used if needed to expand to a 4th shelf, yet its low and narrow enough to have a minimal impact on soundstaging while allowing for short cabling. It will hold my all my stuff plus DAC before needing the 4th shelf.

BobM · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Apr 2007, 07:29 pm »

Are you a little handy? If you can cut wood in a straight line, and drill some holes the you can make something like I did:

Each rack skelf is an individual seismic sink, with 50 lbs of sand in each. Fairly easy to make with some MDF for the boxes and a butcher block table top from Ikea and some butting boards, also from Ikea. A few bolts and nuts to hold it all together and some levelling spikes from Parts Express. It is made just how it looks. Make it to the dimensions you need for your own use.

Enjoy,
Bob

Bill Baker · « **Reply #7 on:** 1 Apr 2007, 07:55 pm »

How about the Usher Audio rack made of solid birch with 6 shelves. There are 3 solid shelves and 3 adjustable shelves. Under $400.
I have 3 of them (light Birch) and have had 3 100 lb. amps on one unit at a time.

http://www.usheraudiousa.com/products/accessories/component-rack

michaelv · « **Reply #8 on:** 2 Apr 2007, 12:24 am »

Thank you all for your suggestions. Even though i like to build rack by myself like the one BobM has, I don't have skill to do so. That's why i have to go with the pre-built rack. I certainly look at those options. I like the Onix Rack3 Component Rack, but with a few more dollars , i can get Target CL430 like this one http://www.dynamichomedecor.com/Target-Hifi-CL430.html The only thing i don't know if the its shelf is mdf or wood.

thanks.

PhishPhan · « **Reply #9 on:** 2 Apr 2007, 12:40 am »

My guess is that it's made of mdf, not that that's a bad thing. At that price I doubt many (if any) racks are made of wood.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #10 on:** 2 Apr 2007, 02:36 am »

Quote

mated with rosewood or black ash veneered shelves

This would lead me to believe it was MDF as well but as PP mentioned, this is not necessarily a bad thing.

The Usher rack is the only unit I am aware of under $1000 that is made 100% of solid wood.

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #11 on:** 2 Apr 2007, 11:11 pm »

Wow, the Usher rack is nice plus made out of solid wood? Hmmm, I dont think you cant beat that unless you have more money to spend. I'm in the market for a rack myself I LOVE THE USHER rack but the color doestn suit my room decor. Does anybody know if they make it in plain black?????

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #12 on:** 2 Apr 2007, 11:15 pm »

At that price I bet its made out of MDF, just like most cost effective A/V racks.

Quote from: michaelv on 2 Apr 2007, 12:24 am

Thank you all for your suggestions. Even though i like to build rack by myself like the one BobM has, I don't have skill to do so. That's why i have to go with the pre-built rack. I certainly look at those options. I like the Onix Rack3 Component Rack, but with a few more dollars , i can get Target CL430 like this one http://www.dynamichomedecor.com/Target-Hifi-CL430.html The only thing i don't know if the its shelf is mdf or wood.

thanks.

Bigfish · « **Reply #13 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 12:28 am »

I recommend you give Arnold a call at (415) 320-0179. Check out his products at www.corefurniture.com
.

Good Luck,

Ken

Bill Baker · « **Reply #14 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 12:36 am »

Quote

Wow, the Usher rack is nice plus made out of solid wood? Hmmm, I dont think you cant beat that unless you have more money to spend. I'm in the market for a rack myself I LOVE THE USHER rack but the color doestn suit my room decor. Does anybody know if they make it in plain black?????

They must have just switched over to the stained Birch racks as all the ones I have are natural Birch as can be seen in the picture below. I have not been an Usher dealer for a few months now). If you have time and the ability, you could always sand it down and stain or paint it before assembling. I have seen others that people have stained and they look sharp.

Scott F. · « **Reply #15 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 02:08 am »

Tell you what, that Racks and Stands link from the previous page is a good one

I picked up one of the new Lovan three legged racks for $199 (CL1B-22LW). Thats one heck of a good price for a decent rack.

Lovan Rack

musicman06 · « **Reply #16 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 04:03 am »

Hmm, that Lovan rack looks remarkably similar to the one of the VTI racks (BL3 series). I just received my VTI BL404SB today just using 3 shelves currently in the livingroom setup as already have a TV stand that sits next to it. Needed something bigger to accomodate my new amp which should be headed my way currently.

michaelv · « **Reply #17 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 05:43 pm »

Usher rack is really nice, but it's too tall and it does not fit my need. I only have integrated amp and cdp. So, 2 or 3 shelves would do. VTI, Logan are great too. However, i don't like the idea of 3 legs stand..

it's probably me...

For those of you usig VTI or Logan, Can you remove shelves and replace them with , let say, solid maple wood later on? The Target looks solid and strong...but i won't limit myself to others. If i have money , I would probably go with Steve blinn rack http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accsrack&1180733479

TomS · « **Reply #18 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 06:25 pm »

The VTI has the corners notched out like a crescent but I suppose you could. I just set the maple blocks on top of the MDF with footers.

michaelv · « **Reply #19 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 07:15 pm »

I've just looked at this http://www.dynamichomedecor.com/VTI-BL-404-01.html

This amp stand is attractive and strong, i think. Just order two of these : one for integrated amp and one for cdp. Eventutally i'll get mapple blocks.

One more question: Is there a point or cone underneath the shelf? Or just rubber feet? i look around but no description or picture about this.

thanks.