How important is an audio rack?

The rack/platform makes a difference. If it makes for bad vibes, it will be almost impossible to compensate further up the chain.

Anything that wobbles is not good. Things that ring, such as glass shelves, undamped metal frames are to be avoided. Too much damping also degrades the sound, resulting in a lifeless presentation.

What I like: the custom plywood cabinet in my secondary system sounds great, better than the A/V cabinet that was made of a wood particle board. I chose Mapleshade for the main system. The sound is very slightly tilted to the lower midrange with my gear. The shelves are infinitley adjusable and the racks look fantastic.

What I don't like: I hated the Polycrstal rack, but it sold fast so it must work for some systems better than in mine. It was terrilbe with tube components, sucked the life right out of them. I have a Stand design rack that has a metal frame and catilevered shelfs which doesn't sound good either. It now resides in my office with a cheap receiver.

I would lean towards Mapleshade, Cambre Core, or Quadraspire. I think it's easy to go overboard with too much hi-tech material and overdamp/isolate the music right out.

If it will hold your gear without collasping or bending or leaning to one side, then, it is a good rack. Appearance is up to you. Thats all a rack does. Period.

"One store owner/salesman stated the audio rack should be considered the most important component, even with a very modest system!" What a bunch of bs. Walk away.

If it holds your stuff securely and does not ring like a bell its fine. If you want to spend more money for aesthetics, that is a different and personal choice.

Every material and construction has its own resonance signature. That's why you find turntable plinths, platters, and arms of acrylic, aluminum, magnesium, and so forth. Some tables are mass loaded, others light and rigid. Same thing with speaker cabinets, baffles, and drivers, all with different materials and construction. There are many different flavors and many ways to success or failure.

If you don't think it makes a difference, you are mistaken. If you can't hear a difference, I can't argue with that.

That store owner certainly seriously exaggerated the matter but I wouldn't necessarily walk away.