Audio Racks

[Analog21]

Audio Racks - the prices of racks seems very extreme of late. Hard to find really good options for under $3000 and most are just wood shelves and aluminum or wood frame. Any isolation properties will make it over $4000 for a standard 4 shelf rack. I've looked at the usual suspects (most I cannot afford): Quadraspire, Audiovault, Steve Blinn. Symposium, Maplewood, Adona, Harmonic Resolution, Salamander, VTA, etc.

I don't want an all wood rack (looks like I'm in a ski lodge or something) and would prefer a steel frame with wood or some other types of isolation shelves. The most promising comes from Rogoz Audio (http://www.rogoz-audio.com/audio-stands), based out of Poland. They have a lot of options at different price points and can be built to customer specifications. Customization is important for racks. I'm surprised how many racks aren't deep or wide enough to accommodate most turntable dimensions. Many people have to put an oversized butcher block on the top shelf which hangs off. Surprising that audio rack manufacturers are not wise to turntable dimensions/specifications.

The trouble with Rogoz or many other rack manufacturers are the high import costs to the United States (which is not there faults). By the time you do currency conversion rates, import/duty fees, and then international shipping costs on oversized racks, what seems like an economical rack is nothing but. There are so few quality alternatives in the rack department that are made in the USA and affordable. I may have to order a Rogoz rack, but waiting things out. If space allows, it may be better and cheaper to buy a nice media console, and gradually add isolation platforms under each component over time. The cheapest Symposium platform is only $179 for a 19" by 14" platform.

What are thoughts on the prices of racks, optional manufacturers, quality, etc? I was really impressed with Rogoz Audio - the aesthetics, price (other than shipping/import fees), isolation, customization, options, etc. Here is a review of one of his racks: http://www.monoandstereo.com/2014/02...udio-rack.html

[mep]

Highly recommend you give a look at Audio Vault racks. They are made in the U.S. and are not made of all wood. They will custom make a rack to your dimensions and the shelves are infinitely adjustable. The prices are sane and affordable. Here is my review of one of their racks which is now being used as my digital gear rack:

http://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/audio-vault-usa-rack-2/

[Analog21]

will give them a look - thanks!

[Hugh]

Another option which we have in stock.

Just a simple design which I personally use at home and at shows.

[Hugh]

We are about 1hr East of LA.

It used to be called Onix Rack 3.

[Analog21]

are these still available or a discontinued product?

[Hugh]

We are stocking them as our own so Yes, they are still available as brand new.

[cpp]

I Happen to enjoy my Timbernation rack. Heavy and solid built the way you want.

[Hugh]

I posted elsewhere pictures of the rack in my audio room.
I am posting here too for your viewing.

[Analog21]

Very Nice! Are they only available in 3 shelf racks? What are the shelf dimensions? Looks promising.

[Hugh]

You can combine 2 to make a taller rack.

I'll take picture of our HT later this afternoon to show you.

[Rust]

So I decided to check out building an equipment rack. I figured I could at the very least make a modular system using many of the same structural materials as many of the high end racks. Such extruded aluminum forms and fasteners are widely available.

So that's when things got interesting. I found all of the structural elements and fasteners, no problem with that. And that's where I ended the process, once I saw the retail pricing quotes. Retail pricing for just the materials runs pretty close to a finished rack, and I'm not talking the less expensive racks either.

So from my viewpoint, regardless of any claims of improvements in sound, simply based on materials cost most racks are not overpriced. Not the conclusion I was expecting to make.

[Analog21]

Well, you're talking one one person building a rack vs. a company who can capture economies of scale, increased volume, lower price suppliers, etc. However, I'm talking about the amount of options for high quality racks that are less than $3,000.

[Rust]

Analog21 - Retail price for the materials for one four shelf rack was right a $1,100.00. I'll tell you right now that for most of the materials the markup couldn't have been much over 50% at most and that statement comes from many years of manufacturing systems for power plants. There are multiple sources of said or similar materials and the pricing from all was pretty much uniform.

I don't think most manufacturers of racks, aside from lower pricing as a commercial enterprise make enough racks to get into serious volume discounts.

[Hugh]

So I decided to check out building an equipment rack. I figured I could at the very least make a modular system using many of the same structural materials as many of the high end racks. Such extruded aluminum forms and fasteners are widely available.

So that's when things got interesting. I found all of the structural elements and fasteners, no problem with that. And that's where I ended the process, once I saw the retail pricing quotes. Retail pricing for just the materials runs pretty close to a finished rack, and I'm not talking the less expensive racks either.

So from my viewpoint, regardless of any claims of improvements in sound, simply based on materials cost most racks are not overpriced. Not the conclusion I was expecting to make.

Exactly.

[Hugh]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n16317[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n16318[/ATTACH]

[Hugh]

W= 21.25 in.
D= 16.50 in.

[Analog21]

I don't think the Avenger will fit on the shelf. Need about 18" deep and 22" width unfortunately.

[Hugh]

Just sent a pm to Mat W. to ask him about the dimensions.

[Hugh]

[Steve Lefkowicz]

Doesn't that turntable weigh something like 250 pounds? That's a pretty strong shelf!

[Hugh]

Yes, it is.

[Steve Lefkowicz]

I've been using a basic DIY "flexi rack" for the last five or six years. Here is an article from Positive Feedback about Ed Morawski's version. The one I built uses three legs instead of four (makes swapping out equipment easier) and I used 3/4" mdf instead of the clear acrylic. Even with 6 shelves it came out to about $100 total. Mine is not a good setup for a turntable though. Russtafarian has one too, built much beefier that supports his Denon turntable really well.

For isolation/vibration control I use hockey pucks, Ikea Cork container tops, Brightstar Isonodes and Audioquest Q feet.

[Rust]

I've been trying the furniture moving sliders made for hardwood floors, synthetic foam backed with a synthetic felt in various combinations. Low cost experiment that has had no deleterious effects and a few positive ones.

[Hugh]

Audio Racks - the prices of racks seems very extreme of late. Hard to find really good options for under $3000 and most are just wood shelves and aluminum or wood frame. Any isolation properties will make it over $4000 for a standard 4 shelf rack. I've looked at the usual suspects (most I cannot afford): Quadraspire, Audiovault, Steve Blinn. Symposium, Maplewood, Adona, Harmonic Resolution, Salamander, VTA, etc.

I don't want an all wood rack (looks like I'm in a ski lodge or something) and would prefer a steel frame with wood or some other types of isolation shelves. The most promising comes from Rogoz Audio (http://www.rogoz-audio.com/audio-stands), based out of Poland. They have a lot of options at different price points and can be built to customer specifications. Customization is important for racks. I'm surprised how many racks aren't deep or wide enough to accommodate most turntable dimensions. Many people have to put an oversized butcher block on the top shelf which hangs off. Surprising that audio rack manufacturers are not wise to turntable dimensions/specifications.

The trouble with Rogoz or many other rack manufacturers are the high import costs to the United States (which is not there faults). By the time you do currency conversion rates, import/duty fees, and then international shipping costs on oversized racks, what seems like an economical rack is nothing but. There are so few quality alternatives in the rack department that are made in the USA and affordable. I may have to order a Rogoz rack, but waiting things out. If space allows, it may be better and cheaper to buy a nice media console, and gradually add isolation platforms under each component over time. The cheapest Symposium platform is only $179 for a 19" by 14" platform.

What are thoughts on the prices of racks, optional manufacturers, quality, etc? I was really impressed with Rogoz Audio - the aesthetics, price (other than shipping/import fees), isolation, customization, options, etc. Here is a review of one of his racks: http://www.monoandstereo.com/2014/02...udio-rack.html

If your budget allowed, I recommend Massif Audio Design rack.
It is not cheap though.

https://www.massifaudiodesign.com

Good luck!

[MylesBAstor]

Sound Anchors also makes some nice racks.

J. Tinn also sells the Wave Kinetics footers; Peehaps he will jump,in and explain how you can skimp on the rack and his footers will make up the difference.

[Analog21]

I read his post in another thread about the footers. Definitely more economical it seems. Though part of the expense of racks are the durability. If you look at those salamander racks that are a few hundred dollars, they are pretty wobbly and couldn't see putting an Avenger turntable on top. I'm still exploring options and this forum and a great way to do that.

[Guest]

1. Whatever you mount a component on will impact the sonic results it delivers. Mounting gear in various ways will change its sound; for example, setting a component on myrtle blocks or cork discs or brass cones will make it sound different in each case. I take this as a given.

2. With that as a starting point, do you find there are generally two broad categories of equipment racks?

- One type of rack functions primarily to support audio (or electronic) equipment in an organized fashion and may range in looks from okay fine to furniture quality. I'll call these 'audio racks.'

- A second type of rack addresses the functionality of One but is designed specifically to isolate components from vibrations while offering a way to mitigate or disperse vibrations. The goal of this type of rack is to reduce distortion while supporting equipment with looks that may range from 'meh' to beautiful. For brevity we might call these "isolation racks."

Some makers of audio racks may try to convince their products are isolation racks but when you look there doesn't seem much specific to suggest that. High mass or having spikes may be a nod to vibration control by the manufacturer but doesn't put the product in the category of an isolation rack.

Do you buy into the distinction?

What's your goal with your audio rack selection - what's important to you - besides getting the gear off the floor?

[Boblaclune]

I am using RixRax racks out of British Columbia . Steel frames with wooden shelves secured to the frames. Exceptionally heavy duty , rigid . Weigh around 150-200 lbs and that's before the sand filling , built to last forever , custom to the customers needs for sizing. Because of NAFTA and trucking charges, these are not expensive to ship and there are no duties or taxes payable for US buyers. The problem with racks from the likes of Timbernation or Massif is that they are shipped in knock-down mode and are assembled using bolts - not doing it for me , they'll sway or give to some extent and if you're a turntable user , that's unacceptable. But these are not cheap, though the low C$ helps US buyers.

[Andy]

I am using RixRax racks out of British Columbia . Steel frames with wooden shelves secured to the frames. Exceptionally heavy duty , rigid . Weigh around 150-200 lbs and that's before the sand filling , built to last forever , custom to the customers needs for sizing. Because of NAFTA and trucking charges, these are not expensive to ship and there are no duties or taxes payable for US buyers. The problem with racks from the likes of Timbernation or Massif is that they are shipped in knock-down mode and are assembled using bolts - not doing it for me , they'll sway or give to some extent and if you're a turntable user , that's unacceptable. But these are not cheap, though the low C$ helps US buyers.

These look pretty interesting - will definitely check them out. Although to some extent, for me searching for a "good" ( whatever that means)
rack at a chosen price point is a little bit like searching for the holy grail or the golden fleece. I agree re: Timbernation - I own one - and knowing what I do today, would not buy again. I'll leave it at that. For my monoblock amps, I've got them sitting on granite slabs (sitting on carpet over a concrete floor) and I'm quite happy with that.