Seeking recommendations about material, design, makers of low-lying rack for gear

Make it simple
just go to :  https://solidsteel.it/?gclid=CjwKCAjwh5qLBhALEiwAioods3v0zyUmJsEYleQrTJM-MddtJcxafsaxJzNHYv4HQ5btZ0I...

pick out the pieces you need and seek out used if possible. This will be the best bang for the buck and this is all Solidsteel makes.
Good luck Willy-T

You can’t go wrong with this, Ink and Ivy sideboard...
https://m.kohls.com/product/prd-3287623/inkivy-zen-sideboard-storage-cabinet.jsp

Yes, it is unconventional, however, it works very well for audio equipment. It is very deep, 18 inches, it has a sturdy open lower shelf for amps, two smooth sliding doors for sources (two shelves) and a thick top for a turntable. It is built like a tank. I love mine, plus the price was a lot cheaper than some other dedicated audio furniture options. You can also store lp’s very easily in this if so desired. It is on average $500, however, it is currently sold out every where. 

I've always been a fan aesthetically of Maple Shade. Check their stuff out if you haven't. 

Some further reactions -- the Kohl's piece is nice, but I am really trying to get as low to the floor as possible. I'm really wanting to keep that soundstage as empty as possible. (FWIW, I had them wire a dedicated line along the side wall for a future move, but for now, I'm going to set all up along the front wall.)

Solidsteel looks nice -- have to check with wife about the look of it. Also -- very different line of pricing. I need to see if MDF is how I want to go. There is something very appealing about getting nice looking wood and then isolating with Townshend or something similar.

QUESTION: I have a leftover piece of soapstone used for kitchen counter, way back. What do folks think about soapstone for either (a) amp platform or (b) low-lying audio rack?

One option for the amp platforms is to go to your local granite countertop company - the one that actually has the cutting and fabrication equipment - and ask them for the price of a couple pieces of 20" x 20" (or however big you want them) of countertop material with finished edges. They have scrap pieces laying around and hopefully they would charge a reasonable price for them.

You could then get cones for the bottom surface if you want (they are pretty cheap on Amazon) and you could epoxy them on. This would be a solid attractive solution.