Equipment Rack - How important in the grand scheme of things?

Millercarbon, would you know if the BDR Cones and Round Things are substantially better than the Vibrapod equivalents? They are substatially more expensive and I’m wondering if there’s enough difference to warrant that extra expense.

Anyone else with an opinion on this?

Mike

I usually try to find Vintage or Danish stereo consoles but since my new tube amp weighs 68 lbs., I've had to get creative.  My main concern is not to have a rack with reflective surfaces.  But something heavy, wooden and well ventilated with the right proportions is tough to find these days.

I have Mapleshade LP racks which are well constructed solid oak. I put my LPs in these racks but I bought 2 extra racks and drilled some holes for push-in shelf standards for my lighter equipment.  For the top, I made a simple oak ply where the amp and TT sit.  It is very solid and acoustically sweet. Plus the way the LPs and equipment blend together look pretty nice.

I placed this on the side walls so my speakers had nothing between them on the end wall.  Now in my new place, the rack is on the end wall...sounds pretty good.  It's also relatively cheap...and looks 'right' and also low key.

The HRS stuff is not just marketing. You can hear for yourself by adding it to any massive wood rack. See Nimbus couplers. You will also want to consider the damping plates. Vandersteen does recommend Granite BUT with a constrained layer IF at all possible.
Skyscraper what a wonderful question....I am going down that very exploratory path on an amp stand right now. I have sourced a variety of cones, etc a near 3” slab of very old aged Walnut in an irregular shape ( sometimes that rectangle is not your friend ) and will spend several grand figuring out which isolation feet sound best... I will source HRS for that project as well...fun

jaytor,
Racks really matter, and in my experience help the speakers disappear sonically. I like Adona (a constrained layer design) for the looks, performance and adjustability, but Timbernation and Core as well as many other make great racks, and the sky is the limit price wise. Different types WILL sound different.