How important is an audio rack?

My post has nothing to do with turntables nor looks. Turntable isolation is critical, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

I haven't heard any differences. I own a $6k-ish system (new MSRP, not what I paid, and not including my turntable), and haven't tried any high end racks, so take my experience with a grain of salt. I have had several different racks/cabinets, and even had stuff on the floor. By far the biggest difference was where the stuff was in the room - so much better with nothing between the speakers.

I've used a solid cherry wood, low profile TV stand where the components are enclosed, a tall pine cabinet (looks like an old-school stereo cabinet) that's also enclosed, a solid coffee table, a $12 Ikea coffee table, an old oak dresser, hardwood floor, and granite and marble slabs on the floor.

All other things being equal, no differences whatsoever. I guess a more accurate statement would be that I heard no differences.

Everything I've set my turntable on made an easily audible difference.

I've also heard a full Naim system on a generic rack A/Bed against an identical system (same components and speaker placement) on a Naim Fraim. I heard no difference, but my dealer did. Before you jump all over him, he's a very honest and down to earth guy. He personally doesn't think the Fraim is worth the quadruple the price difference, and not does he think the difference is huge. We both said 'maybe if you've got the most expensive system, it would be worth it, as where else are you going to go?'

I look for a combination of best looking, best built, most durable, most protective, and what fits my budget. I view it as furniture that'll protect my gear from dust, my little girl's fingers, my two cats' fur, and heat.

Everyone hears what they hear, and it's stupid to debate it. I'm not claiming there are no differences, nor am I claiming that I'll never hear any differences. I'm just reporting my experiences.

Again, with turntables, all bets are off.

I keep everything close to the floor, no rack only some wooden platforms and various footers under the equipment. Virtually no vibration from the floor reaches the components. Never experimented with expensive racks and feel no need to, cheap rack are a disaster.

The audio rack/stand/isolation ante is much higher with turntables in particular than with other gear. Other mechanical devices, like CD players, maybe.

For amps, pre-amps, etc., I'd focus on isolating each component from external EM or RF noise/fields, including those from other components. Low level phono circuits are also most susceptible to these as can be CD players and any line level gear.

The easy solution is to provide space between components, especially between phon and line level devices and power amps. ALso keep away from eletrical appliances, etc.

PRoper isolation is important for really good sound. Its often not as complicated or need be expensive as some may make it seem.

I think the rack or shelves can make or break the system. I've not come to to a definitive conclusion on what is best but I'm leaning towards MDF over sand doesn't sound that great. It's a tough thing to do A to B comparisons. I have two grand prix racks for my living room and bedroom systems. I have been doing some remodeling and re decorating and I really don't care for the look and size of the grand prix and would like to build a nice looking wall mounted shelf unit to hold all my gear but I'm afraid getting rid of the grand prix rack might make my sound suffer.

I have a 72" Florence Knoll Walnut Credenza that I inherited from my father who bought that and a matching shorter credenza that I use as a sofa back in my living/ listening room. It is classic mid-century design at it's best and fits beautifully in my 1916 Chicago Bungalow. See it in Virtual Systems.