Audio Racks

AnthemAVM · « **on:** 8 Apr 2008, 04:35 pm »

I am lost at what to buy for an audio rack. I have a budget of about 1k, have looked at Adona on Audiogon, Solidsteel product.

Any other choices out there for me, due to wiring I need 4 legs, and it must be extra sturdy.

Thanks

This is an old picture, but will give you an idea of what gear I am working with as a base.

marvda1 · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Apr 2008, 04:45 pm »

with these you won't have to pay a fortune and they can be filled with sand or lead shot.
http://www.racksandstands.com/prods/VTI/BL404/All/0C1/0PVI1001.htm

sts9fan · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Apr 2008, 05:06 pm »

I just got one of theose VTI and they look pretty sweet. I will be filling it with something for sure as it is quite light.

Kris

chosenhandle · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Apr 2008, 06:48 pm »

there are some racks listed over at "industry ads". Free shipping etc.

I have not seen or used them, just thought I would mention it to you as another source to check out.

Thebiker · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Apr 2008, 07:08 pm »

Are you looking for FUNCTION or is form a major issue? If function is your primary issue try:
www.middleatlantic.com. These folks do serious commercial racks in various sizes, from @ 31" tall to 77" tall and do different styles/strengths of shelves which will allow you to really customize to your needs. They also do 2 different depths that will accomodate serious cabling and keep it out of sight.
I went with a unit that is @61" tall, with a removeable rear door and got the heavy duty casters for it as well.

Damn but that has made changes and additions way easier.

They are basic black crinkle coat, but mine went into the family room without any WAF issues.....of course she does realize that humoring me is sometimes better that listening to snarl when I do anything with the A/V gear.

Good Luck!
Walt

zybar · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Apr 2008, 07:42 pm »

Quote from: AnthemAVM on 8 Apr 2008, 04:35 pm

I am lost at what to buy for an audio rack. I have a budget of about 1k, have looked at Adona on Audiogon, Solidsteel product.

Any other choices out there for me, due to wiring I need 4 legs, and it must be extra sturdy.

Thanks

This is an old picture, but will give you an idea of what gear I am working with as a base.

I am very happy with my Adona racks.

While they aren't flashy, they get the job done and don't break the bank in the process.

George

sbrtoy · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Apr 2008, 08:21 pm »

Custom Isolation Products (makers of the Ultrasonic racks) are really nice. Acylic makes a great material as it is non-resonant and they can custom make any size/application you need.

electricbear · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 Apr 2008, 10:10 pm »

I recently got a Billy Bags. These are awesome racks for the $$$$. www.billybags.com

bnut311 · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Apr 2008, 10:25 pm »

Try this: www.china-highend-hifi.com/prod0112362113.htm.

Gordy · « **Reply #9 on:** 8 Apr 2008, 11:00 pm »

Timbernation has a thread here as well...

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=8249.120

http://www.timbernation.com/ampstand_PopUp.cfm

satfrat · « **Reply #10 on:** 8 Apr 2008, 11:48 pm »

I really like my Sanus Component Furniture 6 shelf stand that's built with quarter-circle forged steel frame that's been powder caoted, sits on spikes and has individually dampened MDF shelves and trimed in oak. Just looks good to my eye and I have a matching 3 shelf video rack to go with it.

Cheers,
Robin

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #11 on:** 8 Apr 2008, 11:59 pm »

They are having a B stock sale at Music Direct.com on racks

michaelv · « **Reply #12 on:** 9 Apr 2008, 12:29 am »

from http://www.automation4less.com/ and get maple platform from www.timbernation.com . Connect them together and you'll have a solid , good looking stand. You can even get maple cutting board (unfinished) and stain it to the color you want.

Midnite Mick · « **Reply #13 on:** 9 Apr 2008, 08:43 am »

That tiger maple platform is gorgeous.

Mike

JLM · « **Reply #14 on:** 9 Apr 2008, 09:46 am »

Have you considered vibrations transmitted directly via the air? In other words, do you want a rack or a cabinet? You should consider a cabinet if you listen loud, are thinking about using exposed tubes, or especially about trying vinyl. Cabinet doors/view panels should be well made and close tightly to avoid rattles.

If not and you listen loud isolation properties that are built into the rack may be of value to you if your floor is up to it.

Mapleshade is another source for heavyduty racks with isolation benefits.

I hesitated a bit to bring this up, because it can be its own can of worms between believers and naysayers of various isolation products.

First audible factor to consider when purchasing a rack/cabinet is mass. Mass is your friend when thinking about vibration control because as mass increases, so normally does rigidity. And both factors lead to lower resonsant frequencies and therefore greater energy levels needed to excite the object to vibrate. BTW, did you know that the earth vibrates at 1 - 2 Hz?

Second factor is the floor and those vibrations transmitted through the floor. If heavy plank/timber or concrete slab supported by dry/compacted clay versus modern wood framing over living/crawl space makes a huge difference. The former is great, and you should spike into it as a firm/stiff foundation. This will couple a heavy rack to the greater structural mass, again lowering the resonant frequency. Spiking also helps anchor the rack horizontally and "short circuit" any carpet/padding.

If your floors are "softer", you've ever heard heavy footsteps through the speakers, or espcially if you are considering vinyl, you need to consider isolation from the floor. The best options are wall mounting (if no slamming doors, etc. on the wall) or air suspension. Avoid metal stud walls like the plague.

If space is available, a low/wide rack/cabinet is preferred as it would sway less (be more rigid) and be more out of the way of the imaging/soundscape. This is what the guys are after that you may have seen with all their components on separate isolation bases across the floor. I'm too old and clumsy for that. (I'd probably trip over a cable and wipe out half my system in the first week.)

Gordy · « **Reply #15 on:** 9 Apr 2008, 09:54 am »

I built mine using 3/4" brass all-thread and fittings. The shelves were made from Maple workbench tops... Grizzly The price of brass is now through the roof but, steel and SS are both still very reasonable and available from McMaster-Carr and MSC.

MaxCast · « **Reply #16 on:** 9 Apr 2008, 11:44 am »

Quote from: Gordy on 9 Apr 2008, 09:54 am

I built mine using 3/4" brass all-thread and fittings. The shelves were made from Maple workbench tops... Grizzly The price of brass is now through the roof but, steel and SS are both still very reasonable and available from McMaster-Carr and MSC.

Sweet! That's exactly what I was looking for. I have some speaker stands that I made with 1'' dia threaded rod and was thinking of making a wide low profile rack.
Thanks Gordy.

TomS · « **Reply #17 on:** 9 Apr 2008, 01:26 pm »

EHeider has one of these Mapleshade Samson racks and it is gorgeous and very robust. Depending on configuration it might be above your price range, but it would be the last one you'd ever need.

http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/audioproducts/samson_hub.php

Tom

Gordy · « **Reply #18 on:** 9 Apr 2008, 07:06 pm »

Quote from: MaxCast on 9 Apr 2008, 11:44 am

Quote from: Gordy on 9 Apr 2008, 09:54 am
I built mine using 3/4" brass all-thread and fittings. The shelves were made from Maple workbench tops... Grizzly The price of brass is now through the roof but, steel and SS are both still very reasonable and available from McMaster-Carr and MSC.

Sweet! That's exactly what I was looking for. I have some speaker stands that I made with 1'' dia threaded rod and was thinking of making a wide low profile rack.
Thanks Gordy.

MaxC, be sure to check out the acorn nuts as top crowns / finishers!

SET Man · « **Reply #19 on:** 9 Apr 2008, 08:19 pm »

Hey!

Robin/satfrat your rack is full of heavy stuffs there. The photo perspective angle make it looks like it is almost up to the ceiling!

Take care,
Buddy