joshnich Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 I am starting to look for a new rack / stand for my components. My main system is currently on an inexpensive VTL 4 shelf rack. The system includes a Turntable , Preamp, Phono stage, Power amp, Line Conditioner and a SACD changer. I need a little more room, but the main reason I am looking is because I dont like the cheap look of the VTL - particularly the fake wood grain shelfs. Any ideas/insight would be great Thanks josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile homeless Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 The threaded rod approach can end up looking very nice ala the Salamander Designs rack below in cherry. Ultimately, I dont think this rack is the best at equipment isolation, however though damn good. http://www.salamanderdesigns.com/archetype/imgs/arc_a5chry.jpg The Michael Green "Deluxe Justarack" was the best of this breed and spawned the imitators. IT was a heavy beast with over 1 inch threaded rods and THICK SHELVES, at over 2". You see them used on Audiogon every once in awhile in various finishes. Still there are a ton of options now. Guy has a nice rack that I think can be found in the five shelf variety in the "DON GARBER" thread. See the pics. He has the two shelf version. ZOETHECUS SUPERSTRUCTURES Some of these option get expensive. They are some really HEAVY DUTY options though. I'll dig them up. kh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshnich Posted September 6, 2003 Author Share Posted September 6, 2003 Thanks Kelly, I think that the price is pretty much open because if I do not find something more aesthetic my wife wil hire a cabinet maker to build something - which I will more than likely cost a fair coin. But like most folks I wold love to get something that looks and "sounds" good without spending an arm or a leg - much like I think most of us on this forum approach this hobby. The truth is I dont really know what my budget should be on this. I am not adverse to DYI depending on the woodworking tools needed. Thanks again josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile homeless Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 Well, what is the gear going on THIS rack? You have that nice VPI HW-19 which would like a good stand too (via top shelf). At least HW-19 arent as finicky as the Linn LP-12. What's the "exact" pieces going on the rack? In all actuality, you are probably NOT going to opt for the DIY approach. This can look nice and perform well but the expense of getting some really nice wood might bring it up. It essentially involves four threaded rods that to me need to be at least 3/4" diameter in my view (the 1/2 is too chintzy and thin). If you want this approach there are links and instructions. On the other hand, there are some very nice racks now that are excellent sonically and aethetically, especially if your gear looks neat and yours DOES. What are the pieces going there? kh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 Kelly, An idea when using smaller diameter threaded rod is to use 3/4 inch or 1 inch conduit over it as a spacer. We did this at work, by using a fine grit sandpaper on the conduit and then spraying with a clear acrylic. From even a short disance away it looks like brushed stainless. We didn't sand the length of the tube, but around the tube. A little tedious, but not at all hard. I suppose you could get some goofy resonance with the conduit over the rod, but it works okay and looks pretty classy. Marvel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshnich Posted September 6, 2003 Author Share Posted September 6, 2003 The gear going on the rack is as follows... VPI HW 19 TT Wright Phono stage Carey SLP 88 Preamp Cary Rocket 88 R Amp ( BTW the R retrofit made this an amazing piece. - an unbelievable improvement!) Sony scd222es SACD Changer Adcam Line conditioner Thats the gear for now ...but you never know! Thanks again Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile homeless Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 The threaded rod approach can end up looking very nice ala the Salamander Designs rack below in cherry. Ultimately, I dont think this rack is the best at equipment isolation, however though damn good. The Michael Green "Deluxe Justarack" was the best of this breed and spawned the imitators (much heavier than the above rack). IT was a heavy beast with over 1 inch threaded rods and THICK SHELVES, at over 2". You see them used on Audiogon every once in awhile in various finishes. Still there are a ton of options now. Guy has a nice rack that I think can be found in the five shelf variety in the "DON GARBER" thread. See the pics. He has the two shelf version. http://www.progressive-engineering.com/klipsch/guy_system_650.jpg ZOETHECUS SUPERSTRUCTURES Some of these option get expensive. They are some really HEAVY DUTY options though. I'll dig them up. kh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 This rack comes with cable management. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Leeroy Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 Here's a nice rack: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Bey Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 I like my flexirack -- made from materials costing less than $50 at a Home Depot, 1/2" MDF and 5/8" threaded rod. I have the woodworking skills that allow me to do things like lick envelopes and seldom wound myself upon so doing. This is a crummy picture from my cracker-jack box digital camera, but my wife actually said she liked(!) the looks of the rack. I guess compared to the pile of manure I was using beforehand. EDIT- oh, and the most amazing thing is the ability to defy gravity. Really need a good tracking tonearm though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshnich Posted September 6, 2003 Author Share Posted September 6, 2003 It might just be me, but my mind goes elsewhere when I think of a "nice rack" Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 Uh... yeah...me too -- but I couldn't figure out how to post that, so I went with the second thing that came to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile homeless Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 I made the threaded rod approach as well. But I would OPT for FOUR rod approach as I think it's more stable and rigid, if a bit harder to balance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile homeless Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 http://www.needledoctor.com/core/media/media.nl?id=2860&c=ACCT106601&h=45fef7c8476dbfdb7d3f The Needle Doctor has some rack options, too. The above comes in a five shelf version too but not listed at the moment. It is not much over $225 or so. It can be had with dark rods or steel with various colored shelves. Again, this if you dont want to mess with contruction. See the Plateau GS Series Racks kh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 Any thoughts regarding shelf material for a flexi-rack? I'm sure there is no panacea solution, so here is the list of equipment from top down (tentative): AR-XA TT w/ Extremephono mat HH Scott 299C DVPNV-650V (Sony DVD/SACD 5-disc) JVC VCR & Sat box to share shelf I seem to recall people with sprung TTs preferring a heavy & rigid surface. Also the rack would be going on oak floors over regular wood beam and joist construction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Bey Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 Oh, for another rack view, try racks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 Randy - anyone you know posted their pics on your link? If cost is no object these are the best that I have seen for Audio Racks that is! http://www.rixrax.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtaylor Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 Saw a post in another area of this forum which escapes me now but just saw in todays paper the same shelfs the reader posted. They are made by Tech Craft. They looked great in his system, the ad is HH Gregg.I think best buy has them also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shload Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 On my rack I used 2 pieces of 4 foot oak stair treads cut in half for 4 2 foot sections. They are 1 1/2 inch thick with bullnose on front. Total cost 60.00. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J M O N Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 About a year ago, I bought a couple of these racks at Circuit City for $99 each. They were advertised as TV stands, but they work very well as audio racks. The shelves are made of MDF and the posts are 3" steel tubes. The shelves are not adustable, as the tubes are a fixed length. The rack itself is very sturdy and heavy. It probably weighs about 60 pounds and is capable of holding several hundred pounds of weight. I didn't like the silver posts, so I painted them black. I'm very happy with them, especially considering the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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