Audio Rack Opinions

As I reflect on how fortunate I have been in this lifetime regarding family, friends, health, careers, and my journey in music appreciation and audio components, my experience getting to know Arnold Marr of Core Audio Designs ranks high on my list of things for which I am grateful. Oh, I almost forgot to mention his superbly crafted racks. My system consists mostly of tube components and his racks allow the natural warmth of instruments and vocals with plenty of micro/macro detail to fill my listening room. Yes, in the best sense of the word, color me an Arnold Marr/ Core Audio Designs “fanboy!”

 Report this

OP

Looks like Core Audio Designs’ rack is a good choice. Very pretty to.

Best wood rack for the money and craftsmanship.Arnold bought my MAGICO mini 2s some years back.Great guy good luck.

@thr1961 

Good call, I know you’re done as far rack solutions goes :-) 

So I thought an update was in order: I am going with the Core Audio Designs’ rack. After a few calls and multiple emails, I am very happy with my decision. I will wait to post photos once I have the rack set up with my system, but want to thank everyone for their input and recommendations. 

@lak  — thank you for the great perspective you shared:

What I discovered is how much of a difference a solid rack or other means of damping and controlling vibrations in our electronics makes. It’s a big deal.

It’s also a potential rabbit hole.
 

I had a fascinating call with Arnold from Core Audio and the topics ranged from his approach to audio rack design to mid-century furniture to LFD amplifiers.  In the end we both agreed that just about anything would be better than my current rack which almost dropped my LFD NCSE (I waited six months for this unit to be built in England!)

While I am going to speak with Peter at Symposium this week, I am fairly sure that I will go with Core Audio as his designs seem to bring the best of a rock solid foundation with the beauty of wood. I suppose this is one of the reasons that I have a Palmer tt and not one of the equally excellent options that do not use wood in their designs. 

I previously posted my choice, Timber Nation, but my system photo was not public. Public now..

I know that I should have had them apply a black stain, but I just couldn't cover up the nice grain.

HIGHEST VALUE AMP/COMPONENT STANDS ! - YouTube

This just showed up....I have the older larger ones in use plus 2 racks.

Tom

I will be posting a 4 shelf Sistrum rack for sale very soon I have more than 1. Tom

For that system with those options, doesn't really matter.  One thing you didn't mention is whether your "hardwood floor" is hardwood over concrete, or a suspended flooring system; ground floor or above?  This may have more impact on your decision than the cosmetics or recommendations from the inmates here.

+2 @lak !

I really enjoy having a rigid, gorgeously engineered & built rack, even if it's over the top. I also have nice platforms for my amps. 3rd party footers was a rabbit hole I quickly punched out of. Like you say, too stressful. What I have now is enough.

I purchased a rack from Timbernation. Although I had some issues with the finish being different than expected, I do love this rack! Just be explicit with what you want. The quality was very nice, but not perfect. I paid $3600 for my rack due to the size and the curly maple wood. He has many options that are more affordable.

https://www.timbernation.com/

@lak, well said! 

The following was written by Paul McGowan of PS Audio:

A few years ago when we were researching the PS Audio PowerBase product I spent a few weeks digging into the sonic impacts of vibration control.

What I discovered is how much of a difference a solid rack or other means of damping and controlling vibrations in our electronics makes. It’s a big deal.

It’s also a potential rabbit hole.

The more I listened and experimented the more important it seemed to me to place footers and Sorbothane dampers under each and every piece of equipment until it looked like some sort of nightmare.

Why stop there?

How do you decide to stop if everything you do matters?

Where I wound up was a compromise. I bought an excellent and sturdy shelf for the equipment, closed my eyes, turned off the OCD voices, and called it good.

Good enough.

There’s a point in every system and in everyone’s lives where practical matters supersede the temptation to go further and further.

I don’t compromise on equipment and cable upgrades but I do draw the line on just about everything else from room treatments, seating, vibration control, and even lighting enhancements.

Yes, it all matters.

But then the practical side of life gets in the way.

I've no input for the OP listed racks.  I run Quadraspire Reference X.  The effects are not subtle.  Blacker background, increased speed of vocal and instrument attack.  More separation of individual instruments allowing better organization of the sound stage.

No downside except for price.

After all these great suggestions and perspectives, I wish I could say that I have made my decision. However, what I have learned is that I am not going to spend 5 figures on a rack as there are some truly fine options available for a lot less than some late model used cars. 
 

I have calls planned with both Arnold at Core and Peter at Symposium over the next few days. The truth is that I am impressed by both of these systems and the approach each of these gentlemen take with regard to customer service. I wish I could rationalize buying one from each, but I am thankful to have two terrific options. 
 

I did ask the individual who helped me with my system design and choices and while he favors the Quadraspire, that is a non-starter with my wife who generally stays out of the mix on my audio choices!  What my friend did say is that “Stands do make a difference but it is never a really big difference. The better stands are the light weight but rigid designs rather than a very heavy design.”

Based on my reading and this thread, I tend to agree and so we will see how my calls go with the experts. I do want to thank everyone for their help and will post again as I reach my decision. 

Using a Salamander A5 in walnut, got no complaints. 

+1 on Timbernation

Salamander Design in CT

Both are good products and prices that will not break the bank

I just finished a project with Arnold from Core Audio. It's also a plyKRAFT 4L.

I spent a lot of time thinking about which direction to go for a replacement to my Finite Elemente rack. I looked at HRS very seriously, along with Stillpoints, Grand Prix and a few others.

The main thing that I wanted was a very, very stable rack that I could put a Minus-K platform on to support my Spiral Groove table. A friend suggested Core. It took me a long time to actually make the call, but once I did things really clicked with Arnold.

I feel that I have a custom rack that is super beautiful and highly functional. It sets the foundation for my system. I am totally thrilled with it.

If you want functional, no B.S. and not an aesthetic nightmare:

Sanus SA-AFAB Accurate Series - TV/AV Stand • Symphony Hifi

I use 2 side by side. I don't have audible vibration/footfall concerns, so even the table sits atop one.

They are a discontinued model from years ago. I think I purchased 1 back in 1989?  

Anyone out there wanting to hear a comparison between a so-called isolation platform versus a direct coupled platform may want to experience this video.

I have been using the Star Sound racks and platforms for 20 years now and have even installed small platforms inside my speakers under the crossovers as well as points on coupling discs under transformers. A small platform on points and discs under the main circuit board tensioned and tunable to the chassis. Pretty cool to be able to adjust the resonance point of a component much like that of a string instrument. The new company name is Home - Live-Vibe Audio - Vibration Management Products (livevibeaudio.com)

EBM you should contact your Buds at Symposium and ask them to offer up a platform to OCD Mikey on his YouTube channel for review. If they decide to take on Townshend or especially Live Vibe wish them luck with the 3 way shoot out. The audio result of the duel in the link below was evident on a cell phone.

.

Remember when choosing or designing your own rack or platform............... Isolation can only exist in the absence of matter.

Tom

THE PROFOUND IMPROVEMENT AMPLIFIER STANDS MAKE - YouTube

SRA scuttle is what I have.  It actually made a significant difference to the sound, more than I expected which was weird considering it’s a passive component

That Plycraft is $3700. I'd be off to the lumber yard to build my own for 10% the cost or even stack up a 3" maple butcher block on some concrete blocks. Which is exactly what I did. Sounds so much better than the steel frame and granite unit and the heavy oak ones I used before.

@thr1961 I have the Symposium Foundation Ultra rack and speak testament to it.  The solid 6061 aluminum legs, tied tightly to each of the constrained layer levels (or, shelves) makes for an outstanding rack system.  To really make it at its' best is by also using the Symposium Rollerblock products.  I use the Rollerblock Jr HDSE under each component.  This creates a total system effect of isolation and vibration control.  Isolation is certainly very important, but so is vibration control of each component.  As a total system effect this concept is excellent.  Contact Peter at Symposium.  He is a pleasure to speak with and will convey the benefits better than anyone.  The website is also full of information by navigating through numerous layers, by category.  Read up and then call Peter.  There are a lot of great audio racks out there.  Only a few truly engineer a system approach.  Symposium is one of them.  The Foundation Ultra is reasonably priced and a very fair value.

My strategy has been good looking sturdy racks… then to follow through with vibration control. I have a Silent Running Audio Ohio Class isolation platform for my turntable (I highly recommend these). Then a combination of Black Diamond Racing platforms, cones, and Nobsound springs. Over the decades I have tried a number of different technologies.

Alternatively, you can get a fully suspended and dampened rack… but my feeling is it is more cost effective… or at least spreads out the cost when you start with solid racks, then add vibration controle one component after another. This allows you to customized it to each component. However, You need space to do this!

So, I recommend purchasing from companies that have been around forever so, if you need more you can get them. Height adjustable is really useful when you start experimenting with vibration control… it is easy to end up adding 2” to 6” to the height of a component. Think ahead.

Agree with Ozzy62 that Butcher Block Acoustics makes some very fine products as well as Fern & Roby.

https://www.fernandroby.com/products/details/equipment-rack

I use 3 Solid Steel audio racks, love them!

I have a three shelf, double bay Rigid Rack and an amp stand. I highly recommend Butcher Block Acoustics for their products and the customer service.

That's a beauty of a TT, the 22lb platter must give tremendous stability. I miss my Thoren's TD124 platter which was impressive, heavy in it's day, and only 1/3 the weight.

@elliottbnewcombjr -- thanks for the kind words.  It is pretty amazing and yes, the overall weight makes it a pretty solid.  I have had it for about 6 months and just love it

+1 @dodgealum .

I use Butcher Block platforms for my monoblocks and power conditioner, which otherwise would be on the floor. Nicely made and won't break the bank. If the vacuum cleaner hits something, it will be the Butcher Block, not the electronics.

I needed a heavy duty rack to moderate vibration.  I went with a four shelf tiger maple with 3" shelves from Timber Nation.

Not sure I love the idea of a wood frame rack for turntables. But if very well implemented, it could be fine. And the ones you've picked do look quite solid.

What worked for me was a rack architecture that’s as rigid as possible, with isolation delegated to the shelves. My case was an extreme though, as I went from a flimsy Lovan Sovereign stackable 3-post rack (AWFUL) to an over-the-top CMS Maxxum (wonderful!). Boy did that solve my turntable feedback issues, though. You definitely want a 4-post rack, not 3, and avoid non-fixed stackable levels! I cringe whenever I see a nice table atop one of those VTI modular racks, because I know what that was like :(

Eyeballing those options, I like the Symposium for its solid aluminum posts.

What about quadraspire?  Good match with the LFD.  

You are right -- I forgot to put that one on the list.  Although its appearance will require some additional spousal management....LOL

What about quadraspire?  Good match with the LFD.  

I've been happy with my rack from Hi-Fi racks in the UK. You can customize the rack right in their website. There was no import duty.

<<IMHO racks represent the least bang for your audio bucks. The only component that significantly benefits is the turntable, which requires isolation from structural borne resonances and footfalls. For the table, a wall mount shelf properly installed is best or a dedicated stand properly positioned in the room or better still on the concrete floor of your basement. For the rest of your gear an inexpensive basic rack is fine—add a Symposium Svelte Shelf beneath your digital player if you want to go a bit further. Spend what you save on music or component upgrades that will actually increase your musical enjoyment.>>

I tend to agree, but my current rack is a "tripod" with glass shelves, and last week I luckily noticed that the shelf with LFD had almost pulled out of the back bracket, thus prompting the search.  As noted, my Palmer is VERY heavy, and I listen to LPs about 99.9% of the time, so goal one is a foundation for that,

Space and logistics does not allow a wall-mounted shelf or a separate stand, so I am going to focus on a single rack.

Another vote for Symposium!

That's a beauty of a TT, the 22lb platter must give tremendous stability. I miss my Thoren's TD124 platter which was impressive, heavy in it's day, and only 1/3 the weight.

IMHO racks represent the least bang for your audio bucks. The only component that significantly benefits is the turntable, which requires isolation from structural borne resonances and footfalls. For the table, a wall mount shelf properly installed is best or a dedicated stand properly positioned in the room or better still on the concrete floor of your basement. For the rest of your gear an inexpensive basic rack is fine—add a Symposium Svelte Shelf beneath your digital player if you want to go a bit further. Spend what you save on music or component upgrades that will actually increase your musical enjoyment.

can't help you with rack choice

My beautiful rack had legs that were recessed from the front and back a bit.

Thus weight was in front of a fulcrum point, and weight behind a fulcrum point. I made new strong and strongly attached end supports that extended behind and in front a few inches. Made a big difference.

It's a beauty, rubber isolators for two glass shelves and glass top.

Because my floor is so springy, I needed one more solution to get a step away from the TT after I dropped the needle in the run-in groove.

wrapped them in black tape, did the trick.

+1 lalitk & kgturner, I totally agree.

My second choice would be the Butcher Block Audio Rigid Rack with 4 shelves, I would opt for 3" thick shelves.

Solid-Tech Radius Solo 4

with feet of silence

https://www.solid-tech.net/radius/

https://www.solid-tech.net/feet-of-silence/

Arnold with Core Audio is great to deal with. He can even build you custom pieces as requested. I still have one of his original Core Audio MOD3 racks in Black Walnut. It is a great little rack. I had three of the MOD3 racks, but over the years I simplified and condensed my setup so now I'm down to one. I can highly recommend Core Audio racks. I have never owned the other brands racks so cannot comment on them.

Symposium is the best built and sounding rack buy one ASDAP!!

I highly recommend Core Audio PlyKraft 4L. The build quality and customer service is outstanding. As you already know unlike any other rack, the shelves of PlyKraft 4L are preloaded with their unique blend of damping materials to create a high mass, low resonance core. Each product from Core is hand built so you have infinite room for customization. For example, you can have top shelf built extra wide to accommodate the turntable power supply. Future expansions is also possible by adding new legs and extra shelves.

I have owned Core Audio PlyKraft and Isolation Platforms for 15 plus years. As my configuration changed few times, I never have to worry about starting over from scratch.