Audio Racks, Just How beneficial? looking for guidance in upgrading

Personally, I prefer the shelves in my rack to be decoupled from one another. I don't particularly see why the rack needs to be super stable horizontally since most of the problematic vibrations are traveling vertically. As with Ghdprentice, I also prefer to decouple the equipment from the shelves. If I had an unlimited budget, I would look at something like HRS but it would probably be cheaper to replace my suspended wood floor with concrete!

After deciding on the esthetics (with your SO, if applicable), I agree with @ghdprentice in the approach of finding a rack that provides a very stable platform for each component as well as the ability to treat the support of each component individually. 

Depending on the component, I use SRA Ohio+ platforms, a BDR shelf, Zoethecus Z-slabs, DIY constrained layer platforms, thick wood platforms, Herbies products, springs, and Hudson HiFi platinum silicone hemisphere footers.  In some cases, I decouple a stable shelf like a Z-slab from the rack and then further decouple the component from the shelf using the hemisphere footers, Herbies footers, or springs.  My three "racks" consist of either sturdy constructed quartersawn oak furniture (that I have heavily reinforced) or a Sound Anchor stand.  If you simply want sturdy, it is hard to beat Sound Anchor.  However, having a fully digital system, I know nothing about specific best practices for supporting a turntable.

I agree with tomic601, Core Audio equipment racks are the best I have ever used. They look fantastic, are extremely well built and provide unbelievable sonic isolation. Jumping up and down in front of my plyKraft 3L rack has no impact on cartridge tracking (Michell Engineering GyroDec, SME IV and Clearaudio Maestro V2 Ebony cartridge tracking at 2g). Not recommended, I tried kicking the rack once (stupid, I know), again no effect on cartridge tracking! Plus, Arnold Marr ( calls himself the "biG-wiG| principal") is a super nice guy to work with. In fact, he is delivering, and setting up, a custom double plyKraft 3L rack this weekend for me. Going forward I will be selling the single plyKraft 3L rack and custom TT shelf soon.

Thank you all. Some very helpful info!
I'll reach out to Core, but I need 6 shelves with the turntable top.
Interesting points on also using footers, cones under the components as well as sitting on a better rack.
The location of my front end is away in a dining room with the amp and speakers in the living room but still close. So, rack needs to be very  'wife friendly' and not look like ' a dorm room' . .. My TT  is a Dr. Frickert Woodpecker. I had a LinnLP12, mounted on the wall with a Target TT shelf back in the day. I put 3 lolly columns in the basement under the rack area to better support the suspended wood dining room floor- Both helped a lot with foot fall issues.
The quest continues. Thanks again all!!


 

You might consider looking through the virtual systems to see what others are using under their turntables that would meet your esthetic needs.