I like the look of maple. Natural, oil rubbed and buffed. The combination of Audiopoints and Herbies is what I am playing with. Audiopoints are the known factor because I always coupled. Now, new speakers have a huge downfiring subwoofer, producing prodidgious air movement that will affect my SET. Experimenting with decoupling and coupling. $$ ratio: rack solo vs rack fitted Audiopoints/ Herbies is a bit disproportionate, but worth trying. This strategy was recommended to me by another Zu Definition IV owner with a geographic problem--proximity of SET to speaker. Problematic due to how close my SET is to the speaker. Will let you know, but it has worked for another audiophool/mentor, who has NEVER steered me worng.