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Need a new Hi-Fi rack?

I have a question for you HiFi rack/platform/support experts. I am currently using an Atacama Equinox rack (purchased in 2002). It’s a decent but basic rack that I have supplemented with Terrastone platforms and footers from Edensound Audio under every component. Now that my system is at a point where I don’t want to change any components, I am thinking of getting a “better” rack. What I’m wondering is since I have spent a lot of money on the Terrastone products and have great sound already, do I stand to gain anything more than aesthetics by spending a chunk of money on a new rack? I’m considering a wood-construct rack such as those by Audio Elegance or alternatively an Adona reference rack. I would still use the Terrastone stuff on the new rack. For perspective, my system is: VPI HW40/Soundsmith Hyperion/Transfiguration Proteus—Musical Fidelity NuVista Vinyl and Herron VTPH2A phono stages—Musical Fidelity NuVista 800 amp—NuVista CD player—Transparent Powerisolator Reference—Wilson Audio Sashas—Transparent reference signal and power cables—Stillpoints Apertures—Synergistic Research HFTs—Terrastone platforms and footers. Thanks for your advice!
arsh
mgattmch
583 posts
 
I use a Core Audio Designs custom rack with my TT setup:

http://coreaudiodesigns.com

Results are perfect IMHO. Not only does this rack look beautiful, performance is spectacular. You can actually jump up and down in front of the rack with absolutely no effect on TT playback. I even tried kicking the rack once during TT playback (not recommended!), again, no effect on playback. Outstanding isolation. Details of my system can be found here:

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/7324

BTW, no affiliation with Core Audio Design, just a very satisfied customer.
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,796 posts
 
@arsh,

I highly recommend Core Audio plyKraft rack or isoPlat platforms. They have been in my system for over 5 years and still looks good as new, built and performance is outstanding.

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8046

Arnold is a master craftsman, he can also do custom projects to meet your needs. The packaging is also outstanding and very reasonable.
photon46
1,098 posts
 
Millercarbon, I noted that your description of the DIY turntable stand included a note that the "well" was filled with a mixture of sand and mineral oil. The mineral oil component is something I've not seen used before. Out of curiosity, did you arrive at that combination through experimentation and do A/b comparisons with and without the mineral oil? Also curious how you sealed the well to contain migration of the oil?Kudos on the project. 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
I got the oil idea from Chris Brady of Teres Audio. He tested different materials for his turntable. In my situation the oil is just barely enough to coat the sand when thoroughly mixed. Just enough to eliminate dust and scatter. 

The "well" is an indentation for the sand that was cast into the concrete. Most people would use a box or tray to hold the sand. With concrete and granite the damping from sand is essential as concrete and granite really are not good by themselves. Massive and stiff but poorly damped, they ring real bad. That's why nothing sits directly on concrete or granite, and not even directly on the sand.

That rack was built around 2003. The sand at the top has a 150 lb granite plate sitting on it. The sand at the bottom has four MDF footers supporting a phono stage. Neither has shifted at all in what is now nearly 20 years.
arsh OP
367 posts
 
Thank you all very much for the suggestions. Millercarbon, your set up looks great, and I would never have guessed it’s construction. Thank you. Lalitk and mgarchmch, I will check out Core Audio designs. Thanks again.
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