How important is an audio rack?

Rhljazz, as far as the isolation/vibration control goes I agree in theory that it could be beneficial. But when I took my gear off my thin sheetmetal rack and placed it on butcher blocks on the floor, I can't tell the difference. I was expecting at least some change, as everything else done so far, improvements were imediately evident. Maybe my components, being so heavy, are'nt as vulnerable and possibly the weight actually tames the rack???

I am not familiar with the products from Box Furniture Company. I do know that Art Dudley from Stereophile has a piece of theirs on loan and seems to like it.

There was an article in Hi Fi+ by Roy Gregory awhile back documenting a demonstation performed at one of the RMAF shows. They set up a demo using the same equipment and speakers, only changing the set-up and substituting the equipment supports and cabling to demonstrate the audible advantages of proper support and cabling.

The quality of the rack will not matter much if some of the other considerations for effective isolation are not taken into consideration prior.

It could be a total waste of money without looking at the big picture from an isolation and vibration perspective first, or a relatively inexpensive solution could turn out to be the cats meow.

Also, the considerations are different for what is needed to isolate a turntable effectively compared to digital gear. If you have both, then two separate sets of considerations to address come into play.

I'm more of a leg man myself =-;)

Regardless what some manufacturers say, all components create mechanical resonance. I have used some expensive and well-known footers and other tweaks to try to solve the problem. Some products made a slight difference. Others made no difference at all. I have no experience with commercially-made racks.

I have solved the problem very effectively -- and inexpensively. The solution is not particularly aesthetic but it is not offensive or obtrusive. I have my components on very heavy custom-made solid wood tables. The table tops are 3 inches thick. I bottom load all components using large Tupperware-styled containers filled to the brim with dry beach sand. This is an old remedy that works wonderfully in my system. The maker of my speakers who said this solution would not work for his speakers was surprised when I told him how well it does in fact work. I sold off all my footers and tweaks.