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

I have the old Solid Steel’s myself, ozzy, Model 48. All they are is nicely made, somewhat lightweight (in comparison with the bulkier Sound Anchor) tubular metal frames (sand fillable) with MDF shelves, each shelf supported on three aluminum "isolation" cones. I put isolation in quotes because cones and spikes, though touted as providing isolation (decoupling), actually don’t; they couple. Put a piece on cones and move the shelf under it---the piece moves with the shelf. The tighter the coupling, the less the isolation.

So you still need something between each component and the shelf it sits on. I have Townshend Audio Seismic Platforms (the original, air bladder version), and either the newer Townshend Seismic (spring) Pods (for my turntables), or Symposium Acoustics and Ingress Engineering roller bearings (for electronics). The combination of the roller bearings for lateral isolation and the air bearing for vertical provide pretty effective, relatively cheap isolation from floor-borne vibrations. Active isolation or the Minus K platforms are far better, but at over two grand a shelf, only for those with plentiful hi-fi funds.

I have a turntable atop a 5 ft tall rack that sits on a carpeted suspended wood floor.  I do not have problems with footfall or feedback.  In order to make the tall rack stable and more rigid, I put a cleat on the wall and then used angle brackets to secure the top portion of the rack to the wall.  There is no shaking with this setup.  The rack is no longer made; it is a custom sized Zoethecus rack.
bdp24,

My Solid Steel rack is a little different than yours. Mine has 4 threaded spikes that screw into the rack frame. Then the components shelving is placed on the spikes.

ozzy
http://www.adonacorporation.com/av45m4.html

These paper to be very well made / thought out.

You could also make your own - when we do Hi-Fi shows I usually bring something like this - easily adjustable,  can be "flat-packed" and very sturdy once assembled.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BosMJKWIJcM

The Racks in both rooms in this video are made by me - MDF Shelves, Hardwood top plate for the TT on top and 3/4" all thread legs threaded at the bottom for Spikes.  

Good Listening

Peter

I think the large Mapeshade with 4" shelves is excellent. The 45" wide three shelf was around $2K. 

http://www.mapleshadestore.com/samsonracks.php

I have this for my turntable and all other gear.