Placement of AMP and Turntable in-between speakers

I've always questioned the issue of the equipment rack between the speakers.

1. The speakers are already further from the back wall than the equipment stand

2. The speakers fire straight down the line.  Slight toe-in 

3. The illusion of the "third speaker" or soundstage is created by the brain's perception of sound waves hitting you.  That center sound image is not actually coming from between the speakers and therefore should not be impacted by the equipment rack.

I may be off base here but I think my logic is sound.  The center rack should not make any difference on most systems?

@bigtwin I think you are dead on.

I agree with all; not just to agree, but it all makes sense. So much depends on the room size, type of equipment, room treatments; maybe even type of music. About a year ago I bought 30min from Jim Smith (Get Better Sound). Nicest man ever; he wouldn't end the conversation until he thought I truly understood his suggestions. His #1 was remove the equipment from in between the speakers, #2 was relocated the speakers to the get the most distance from my seating position. I previously had them wide but closer to my seating position. So it took be a while to get to his #1; the rest I did rather quickly. My realization was that in my case #1 was an immediately noticeable improvement. But maybe primarily for my situation. Note: another Jim suggestion was to have my subwoofers fire at the back wall. That's why they are placed on their front. If recall correctly he said I needed more travel distance for the lower sound waves.

@socalml528 There are as many "rules" as there are people who will listen.  I have tried many different ideas.  One that worked well was the 20% rule.  Take the length of the room and put the front of the speaker 20% off the back wall and centered 20% from each side wall.  Have your seating postion 20% off the back wall.  Just one simple idea.  Even then found I still like the speakers a bit further apart.  Just keep moving them a bit off the 20% rule until you find the sweet spot for your equipment, your room and your ears.  Have fun.