Hi End rack really deliver?

I agree that is difficult (but not impossible) to audition a rack. I also believe that the aesthetics of your listening environment are an important contributor to enjoyment of the home listening experience. Twenty years experience also leads me to believe that a happy spouse is also critical to an enjoyable listening experience in the home.

That said, personal experience also tells me the importance of a solid foundation for your equipment. I was dubious until I installed my equipment on an EquaRack. (You can reference my impressions summarized on an equipment review thread on Audigon; just search for 'EquaRack'.) There was a definite drop in the noise floor which resulted in more low-level information. Bass was more extended and improved in quality. The whole musical picture seemed more 'realistic'.

Fortunately, there are several attractive products including Silent Running Audio and HRS that would fulfill your audiophile needs and should make your spouse happy.

Good luck.

As others have mentioned, there is no way to predict the sonic result from changing racks. It would at least be easier to make decisions if certain approaches always improve the sound but that is not the case. I have heard exotic shelves do exactly as advertised -- dampen and reduce vibration -- that sound great under one component and sound like crap under another.

My suggestion is to go with a very good, solid and stable rack that is presentable in your room. I would also focus on whether one with fixed shelves or one with adjustable shelves is what you need. Also, some racks and some makers of shelves have products that allow for mixing of shelves from other manufacturers. For example, Zoethecus (unfortunately defunct now) racks could use standard sized Symposium shelves. Some manufacturers of shelves also make custom sizes so you should also consider how well a rack would work with such products. I would consider building in a substantial extra margin of vertical spacing to account for the possibility that you will be adding in a custom shelf or couplers, etc.

After you get a good basic rack, you can then experiment with different shelves and couplers and other tuning devices. Good sound from support structures is a matter of "tuning" -- there is no one right approach and right sound.

Good luck.

Would suggest that you check into Adona Corp.
Their racks are modular, extremely sturdy & have a very high WAF.
BTW - You will hear a difference!

Joe, The rack really only comes into play with a turntable. There seems to be as much hype in the rack biz as the cable game. As you become more familiar with the players you will notice many of the same parts, extrusions and spikes etc. When you see the same parts/pieces and the range of prices...

I second thre Adona reccomendation.Besides the good science behind them, the prices are very reasonable compared to the competition - and they look good.