To Rack Mount or Not

Agree with Stehno. I use the StarSound products and find them to be excellent performers. The Sistrum racks and platforms are engineered to evacuate the vibrations from the system, and work very well to do it. The AudioPoints are at the base of these racks, and are available separately. The Sistrum racks and platforms go further than just the Audiopoints to bring this vibration evacuation closer to each component on the rack or platform. This is a well thought-out and engineered system of products that look great and work great. I think they should be on your short list for a support system for your components.

Actually stehno you are quite wrong about the ability remove airborne vibrations. I have had some discussion with a gentleman who custom builds stands designed to eliminate the specific frequency at which a piece of gear is prone to vibrate, but also has worked out a method of eliminating the airborne frequencies. As I am at work at the moment I cannot provide the specific details but he was at the last Chicago Audio Society meeting and Jolida, Great Northern, and many other companies have used his platforms and are very happy with the results.

The impression I got from the original post was that he wanted to improve the sound quality of his system. If that is indeed his goal, I think the advice supplied would have been helpful.

I may not be as perceptive as stehno and could still be wrong in my attempt to help. If this is the case I apologize for my attempt.

Hey, Nrchy. Thanks for the info and your gentlemanly response. And I'm sorry if I came across a bit too dogmatic.

In recent months I too have been doing a bit of research as I've been protyping a new Post & Beam styled racking system that I designed. I have some pics in my virtual system if you care to view it.

I do not claim to be an expert by any means, but in time past, I've dabbled with the isolation/dampening side of the fence. And to be honest, I never noticed any real difference in my limited experience with that methodology.

But like some to many, my limited experience with both methodologies has brought about a certain excitement that leads me to believe there's no comparison between the two methodologies and their ensuing effects.

Again, I am no expert. Just picked up a few things by reading and trial and error. And I've had the benefit of consult from the good people at Star Sound, who some consider to be the performance leaders of those products found in the 'mechanical transfer to ground of air-borne vibrations and resonance' camp.

The overwhelming sonic improvement of my rack as a result of Star Sound's consultation and Audio Points after mechanical break-in certainly has not helped in lessening my dogmatism.

Hope this clarifies my position a bit.

-IMO