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Arrangement of components on rack

Now and again -- though not often enough, probably -- I spend some time unhooking and unplugging everything in my system, dusting the works, and then setting it all back up again. Makes me feel better, and it seems that the simple act of unplugging and then reattaching cables and power cords etc. improves the sound, too -- if only in my mind.

As I'm getting ready to do that now, I just had a thought: Is there a generally accepted arrangement for components sharing a rack? What I mean is: Are there components that ought be placed close together and those that should be better spaced out? My power amp sits between my speakers, with the rest of the gear over on the side wall.

I've got a turntable, so that takes care of what goes on the top shelf. The other components: A preamp, a separate phono preamp, a CD transport and DAC in one box, a Bluesound Node streamer.

With all else equal, should, say, the phono preamp and the preamp be near each other? Far apart? does it not matter? I've generally just kind of plunked things down and gone from there -- and haven't experienced too much trouble -- though some years back when I had the preamp (the main one, not the phono pre) up close to the turntable I had a bit of hum, so put the preamp on the bottom shelf and have continued to do so.

Still, as I got to wondering and am set to get to work on this soonish, I thought I'd ask if there's a generally accepted way of arranging things.

Thanks very much.

-- Howard

hodu
rettrussell's avatar
rettrussell
198 posts
 
In the 80's I bought an antique buffet that perches on four 14" ball&claw legs, stripped out the guts, built square bar racks, and installed a quiet vent fan in the upper left-hand, back corner. 
Where to put my CJ MV75 tube amp & PV2ar tube preamp?
A wise friend correctly advised that the hottest running component goes closest to the heat exit point.....so the amp got placed on top of the pre. I drilled a series of holes at the opposite end of the cabinet floor so ventilation air migrates from coolest to hottest areas.
I don't recommend enclosing components but, say it's a spousal issue, that's one way to think about it.
au_lait
353 posts
 
Is the current configuration with longer interconnects the better approach?

Nope, no need to change anything. I have my TT, phono stage, preamp and DAC in one rack with the TT sprung. Then 20' XLR into wall, under floor across to my amps and speakers. You can run XLR as long as you want, that's what they're made for, running long distance without the noise issues.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
A picture's worth a thousand words. Does that make it verbose?  
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367
mammothguy54's avatar
mammothguy54
952 posts
 
First I will explain the system layout.  I am fortunate that my electronics are in a separate room, just behind the front wall for my speakers.  I route the speaker cables through nicely finished port holes in the baseboards.  There are ABS tubes running through the wall so the speaker cables do not touch wood studs or plasterboard.  The amp is on an amp stand and is roughly between the speakers (with the wall separating the two rooms).  The amp stand is made of constrained layers and the feet are solid 6061 aluminum cones with tularium copper spikes.  My equipment is on an equipment rack alongside the amp stand and the rack is made of constrained layers and with solid 6061 aluminum legs, cone feet, and tularium copper spikes.  Each component is resting on rollerblocks for internal vibration control.  I have a dedicated 20 amp line for this system.  Power cords and interconnect cables are kept as separate as possible and where necessary are placed at 90 degree angles from one another (not running parallel). 

So, that's the system and now for the placement to address the OP question.  The power conditioner is on the bottom level of the rack, next up is the line stage preamp, next up is the phono stage, and on top is the turntable.  There is plenty of space for each component in order to be properly ventilated.  I measured the distance between all component connections for all interconnects and power cords and ordered the cables to meet my needs.  Everything has been very carefully thought out for ventilation, keeping large power supplies at a distance from source, and minimizing cable length.  I think it has turned out nicely but have to admit, during the process of over 2 years I made a few changes of equipment and of their locations, all for the better, and that necessitated a change of cable length for a couple of components.  That was a bit costly but it was the right thing to do.
I am quite pleased with the overall results.
minorl
1,016 posts
 
Four things that I try to be mindful off in arranging components.

1. Turntable on top and away from transformers or any component that can contribute EMF or noise, such as power supplies or power conditioners, to very low level components such as cartridge.  
2.  Phono pre-amp as far away as possible from any transformers or noise inducing components.
3.  enough space in the rack for adequate heat dissipation.
4.  arrangements such that the interconnect cables are as short as possible.  

enjoy


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