thanks...
...apparently racks are NOT important. ..and here I was thinking, "Everything made a difference.", my bad. |
Osgorth
I do appreciate the input. I think racks are way important. however, given the influx or lack thereof, the input to the posed question, I'd have to say most audio nuts see racks as they see acoustic treatments. Last on the list, or very near it.
Super expensive racks such as the Elemente are simply not going to happen for me very likely.
I sought to find a more affordable path in initiating this thread. for myself, and surely for others too. My experience has shown me that some investment needs be made here and there, to bring a system up to a level that makes it special. i also know that expense doesn't always have to be outrageous. I feel that a well made, balanced rack that inherently has built into it a path for draining/containing resonance is sufficient. One with good mass. My plans are for one of wood and metal. Which wood and which metal? Beats me. but I suspect some of each to be a far superior solution to one without both.
Given the spindly contraption I have now, which I affectionately call the "Rack from a little south of heaven" and the results I have by way of sonics from my gear... racks play a significant role, yet they can be compensated for and without enormous expenditures. IMO |
Mbacinello thank you very much... I did a search online for Cambre and found a review that had it and several others in sort of a shootout. Still Points, Symposium Isis, and others I don't recall. Here's the link for the HTML version:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:L9iPilhxZSgJ:www.stillpoints.us/PDF/90-99.pdf+cambre+core&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=4
It is also in a pdf with pics... a google of cambre core will provide it for those who can or want to dig the pics.
the Still points as was reviewed, interested me most. Primarily as it is or can be a bit at a time type thing, if you want ready rolled appliances. Pay as ya go, ground up or otherwise. That path for me makes sense. That or taking a stab at it myself. though some aspects would need be done by someone with a good drill press.
Jclnv
"I strongly recommend either building your own or getting a local carpenter to make you one to your design."
My thoughts too.
"Better still, and this is where it gets really good for your bank balance is ply. The lattice grain structure of ply is almost taylor made for damping varied resonances from components and it's cheap. Ideally make the whole rack out of ply and if you have to use spikes for leveling purposes, sit the whole rack on a large, at least 40mm thick ply plinth."
I don't know if this is appropriate here, but having had several different wood blocks recently sent me in varying kinds of wood I found that some types were complimentary with my exsisting rack and some were not. going on the basis of which wood footers did best, both ebony and mahogany were both to my liking.
Going with that, I thought to 'sanndwhich' or 'ply these two types together as shelving for three levels... pre, and 2 sources. the amp would comprise the bottom most level. Either supportive or stand alone... I haven't decided which... making it a 'both' application would be, I think, the best approach.
Figuring to put the ebony on top and bottom with the Hahogany in the middle of each shelf. Past that as to the uprights, I'm pretty clueless. I did think to drill (if wooden) the uprights and use say some 'all thread' to run the length of the supports with silicone filling up the gaps of the all thread... some copper or brass 'coins' or rounds as inserts and spike each support. This fashion could make each 'shelf' actually a base or stand alone unit. then stack them if desired ...and I would.
I did not give any thought to having a plinth for a foundation. I've also not quite figured out how best to attach the shelving to the uprights either. Perhaps a tang or bracket of sorts. whichever, it'll need be done all the same for simplicities sake and so each base can be cut out and made as the one previous, sort of a cookie cutting approach. this path is difficult enough at this point for me to do anyway. Probably too much actually. But I'm game, and a table saw is something I've used in the past.
That's the best I can come up with presently and won't take a NASA engineer to do it. |
RE drilling/counter sinking... hence the drill press aspect.
And the use of pilot holes in incrasing diameters.
RE measure twice cut once... that's why they call me Mr. Nubby... but I was drinking back then.
Re wood blocks were simple little footers.
RE resonances - only thing I know for sure about what materials introduce overtly, is the more brittle the material, the harsher the sound. it's like the sound is characterized by the materials more than anything. softer or more compliant materials yeild a sound that conforms more to that end.
that's why the ebony and mahogany look like good susptects. their grains are incongurent for one, ebony has some hardness to it, Mahogany doesn't... well and I think they should look pretty nice with natural stains. Light color in the middle and with a dark top and bottom.
the Key as I've seen other racks ()barely is how the shelves connect to the uprights. Iso the shelf? or secure it as rigidly as is possible. therefore the tang thingy... sandwiched into the uprights and the shelfs screwed onto them from underneath. that move might could be problematic, locating each tang at the exact right spot on the uprights...
RE base plinth - I agree that the foundation needs be addressed with a firm support. I don't think lag bolts into the floor are needed... just solidity. The idea of the plywood seems a good one.
RE uprights - another notion is to simply 'notch' the posts and slide the shelfs in.
...did you say two posts to one side, and one post opposite them? you did mean two in the rear and one up front or vice versa... not on the left and right of the stand (s), correct?
...the more I get into this the more I think I'd prefer another to do it from my drawings. Sheesh. |
Douglas_schroeder ...nice looking rack. ...and good point. I've thought about that as well. time and materials add up. however my time is compensated by the end product. Consequently the energy in formulating and generating the exercise have more a value in the process, than perhaps the result as the purpose serves other areas. ...ex. Keeps me off the streets (always a good idea), I'm learning a whole lot here I didn't know previously, getting to build again something that ought to look decent and at least be a suitable platform, and the learning experience is I think worth it. then there's the acquisition of more power tools, and that's always fun.
though your statement is spot on valid. Thanks.
Given what I've been reading online about Stillpoints, rollerbolcks, tune blocks, etc... and the posts above, I don't see myself going far wrong making one. in fact, either way for that matter if suitable 'cups/points/blocks' are employed as well. It is a gamble. but so is everything else. Even the Symposium isis rack and others indicate added benefit from these little footers. Which to me says the structural support is not the end all be all for isoing a system... just a good foundation to add to... well I think I can make a good foundation... and would like to find out.
Now it's just feasability of gaining the tools. Seeing the numbers of it all will tell me what I need to do or which way to go.
the aspect that interests me most is the platform base approach. Wherein one unit can be made (and of course replicated) at a time for components... preamps and/or sources, primarily. thereafter, 'stacked' atop one another. that method allows me to see things as they interact a step at a time. Hopefully that should be of some benefit. Easier too I would think.
it seems sane enough to me. Finding such 'individual' bases already fashioned would also be a good thing... again, depending upon price per each. |
Continuing to pursue this effort I saw some print online about "pARTicular" racks. Racks that can be upgraded after the fact. Entry level units aren't exceptionally high priced... but surely no give aways. the man sold his plans for one rack system to the people who now make them under the name of Lovren. Made a tidy sum too.
Anyone now using the pARTicular racks? thought I'd ask. the man, whose name escapes me now, was also winner of design awards as well as highly sought after early on in his endeavors by then newcomer BAT for shelving their devices at shows... along with many other makers of high enbd audio gear. Just thought it noteworthy to pass along.
I've likely made up my mind about the brand rack I'll try. I also will build one just to see how they compare... and I've enough stuff to fill both anyhow.
Any other over achievers or giant killer racks out there? I sure wouldn't mind hearing about them... it's not too late...
Thanks. |
Cytocycle
I apologize for taking so long to acknowledge your input... Thanks for the insights.... I was fast coming to that conclusion, 'spensive.
Those "solid Steel" goobersmoochers look decent and I'm inclined to go that way about 90%. I still like the notion of DIY wooden stackable stands, which can be locked in to form a singular unit. it's taking me forever to find a decent inexpensive table saw and finish runing the power to the 'shop' though.
|
Thanks Douglas
It's been a while, sure. I was most handy however in a wood shop. I could see far better back then too. it's a challenge, but the plans are quite simple. The finishing past the rough sanding, I'll sub it out. For myself it's a big deal on another level as well... if you think about it some, you'll understand that part I'm sure. |
Douglas_schroeder
Good.
Micro stand as equipment stand? Absolutely. I'm still using one in my bedroom. only thing I had which could support a 150 lb tv. Roll down door covers the gear too. For me, for that app. it's fine.
It is funny when I'm selecting stuff and color comes up. I'll ask some additional questions there and get some inquiries to my prefs. I tell them so long as it goes with the rest of my stuff it will be fine. Following Q: What's the rest of your stuff's colors?
Don't know for sure but I think they are... but I can't really see them. Follow up: Why's that?
Well, I'm a little hard of seeing. Usually they'll laugh, or nervously wait until I do as I explain further. Personally, I find it quite funny almost all the time.
I've three systems in all to address... if things aren't well put, for public viewing, I know where a microwave stand is that wants to retire.
If it's just OK... yet not attractive, there's a 65 inch TV that would like very much for someone to reduce it's now burden to only those duties of video. No longer a TV and carriage too.
personally, I don't 'see' a downside to it at all. lol |
DOUGLAS
...THAT MAKES ONE OF US. |
