Racks made of wood

I want to echo what has been said above because I totally agree: If you can afford the Core Audio Designs - PlyKraft component racks, I highly recommend them. With the addition of some audio equipment I had to add an additional rack, I'm very pleased with the  Core Audio Designs, not only do they look goruous, but they are very functional in all respects as a great rack should be.

I built a DIY rack (maple/brass) that was fun, but not cheap. Since then, I've learned some things from experience about certain downsides. The rack is nice and high, so perfect for playing vinyl, as I don't have to bend over. Luckily, all the shelves can be adjusted and/or removed, so I'm going to remove my mono blocks from the bottom shelf and put them on the floor. The reason, is to remove a layer of shelves so that I can lower the height of my rack, and I will then have to bend over. Huh?

The rack is in the middle between my speakers, so it and the equipment are interacting with the sound through reflection. By lowering the rack considerably, the sound will be truer and it will add stabilization, as I too have wood suspended floors.

What I have actually found to work for mechanical feedback issues through floors, are springs. I have spring loaded feet under my turntable and under my subs. I will probably keep applying these springs to my amplification. There are some in this Forum who build their own DIY spring solutions, plus I use Townshend Isolation Bars under my subs (not cheap).

When deciding on a rack that has to be placed on wood floors, it needs to be rock solid and handle feedback for the best sound (IMO).
Kenny

If you are using an Ikea Lack table review the following thread (link) paying special attention to the posts by Caterham1700.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/here-s-how-i-make-my-equipment-racks

If you follow Caterham1700’s (Ken’s) instructions to a “T” you will end up with a nice looking/fine sounding rack for very little money.

DeKay

 

+ 1 DeKay
I read Ken's thread contribution and agree that flexi racks sonically, are just furniture. Mine included. However, from my own experience, spikes don't do much to eliminate mechanical feedback caused by wood suspended floors. Just saying.

Ken's posts were excellent and very detailed. My rack is 9 years old, and as I approach the assembling of my final components, I no longer need a flexi rack to make adjustments. I may look for a ridged fixed rack, but springs will be a definite part of that solution.
Kenny

In my opinions equipment racks do play an important role in overall sound quality, especially where turntables are concerned. As I said earlier I use a Core Audio Design plyKraft 3L rack with my TT. Feedback isolation at obscene volume levels is perfect, even in my modest size listening  room (14' x 20'). In fact I can jump up and down, on a suspended wooden floor, right next to the turntable, and nothing happens. I can even kick the rack whilst playing a record and nothing happens, definitely don't recommend you try this at home! Try any of the above on a lot of equipment racks and see what happens.