turntable stand, steel, aluminum,shelves of ?

Marco,

Thanks for the reply. I'm hoping to get more positive replies from "gonners" regarding steel stands as compared to aluminum. Welding aluminum takes a seasoned craftsman, especially if you have concerns for perfectly smooth joints that can easily be covered with a powder coat finish. Steel is a snap to braze with almost perfect joints that need almost no secondary grinding.

Aluminum is easy and cost effective to extrude. Complex and visually attractive shapes are possible at almost no extra cost, the eye candy factor may eclipse the performance to some degree. I can understand why some manufacturers use aluminum for their stands, especially if they aren't filled with sand etc, since steel does have a more pronounced ring than aluminum

I've noticed that companies that produce stands for vibration control devices all use steel. I guess that performance is the only factor when you put an expensive lab device on a table as compared to a fancy turntable that will sit in your living room.

I plan on coupling the stand to the floor with oversized cones as the stand will support a vibration control platform to reduce vibration from affecting the turntable.

And Marco,I do have some Ooompa Loompas along with a chain hoist and an engine hoist and have, in the past, definitely needed them.

regards, Ken

The best sound I have heard from any of my turntables setups was achieved after placing it on a wall mounted welded steel shelf. You may want to check out Grand Prix Audio Brooklands wall shelf for ideas.

Cinder blocks on top of myrtlewood half-spheres work for me.

I am in the process of making a new equipment stand myself. I weld aluminum and steel. This new rack is steel, 1-1/2 square solid bar stock frame, 6' long, 22 inches wide and 30 incehs high, 3 shelves total. The bar stock is the frame with 1-1/2 baltic birch shelves set in to the frame. I have decided to connect the wood to the steel with solid silicone self leveling rubber sealant, poured between the steel and wood, say 3/8 wide. The rubber will isolate the shelves from the steel and I will shim the stand up and grout it to the concrete floor with 1/2 of non-shrink grout. It will weigh 600 lbs or so in the end. Turntables on soapstone slabs on Aurios bearings on the top shelf, other equipment on the two lower shelves. Have fun with yours. I am digging mine. Welding is good for your head. Lay down that bead.

Guys
I work with aluminum all my life.Glazier by trade on commercial structures.The best connection on alumimum are mechanical.My rack is all alumimum with stainless steel fasteners.Non magnetic design.I am talking about the thin aluminum tubing available at hardware stores,mine is made entirely out of heavy gauge commercial tubing.And yes it is heavy and rigid.
Marco funny as always,thanks for the laughs,bro.
Ken you are one of a kind audiophile,I checked your pics!!keep it up.
George