Racks - what’s awesome without impacting my kids college plans?


My search showed the last significant rack discussion to be years ago.   I’m thinking 5 shelf, TT on top, upright style, without costing more then I spent on an amp...  I’m good with adding sand, even fabricating a granite shelf or two. Any suggestions?
dishman442
Look at the Solid Steel racks.  They are very well made, very sturdy and won't break the bank.
Sound Anchor - if you want something that is solid, indestructible, well damped (internally with sand), and easy to level and adjust (using their lockable threaded spikes).  I made a quartersawn wood top shelf for mine, which dressed it up considerably.   If you desire, you could make a wood platform, or use a constrained layer damping platform, for each shelf.  However, SA believes setting equipment on the adjustable steel bars they provide to be the best option, for both sonics and stability.

I have gone back to a furniture-type option using the combination of a large, well-braced, oak cabinet and the bottom shelf of an oak coffee table with extra bracing underneath.  My SA stand is too short for you and I haven't brought myself to consider selling it yet since it worked so well for so long.  If you ever scratch one, there are methods of refurbishing the black finish that make it look essentially like new.  One potential downside of SA is that the shelf heights are not adjustable...so make sure you have the size you want because they are what they are.  The trade-off to the lack of adjustability is that the shelves and the whole rack are more solid than racks where everything comes apart and adjusts.
Huh. Sound Anchor.  I sold their speaker stands years ago but not racks. They sell racks prefilled?  What must they weigh/cost to ship?  

Good thoughts everyone!   Anyone else have a suggestion?
Jperry, I realize amp cost is a decent qualifying price point question, but I prefer to just look for good value - great sound suggestions and go from there