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

Greetings all. Looking for guidance and your experience in racks & shelves for the ’sweet spot’ and upgrading. Do you find that applying a percentage of your total system’s value of perhaps 5% or even 10% is a good metric? Do you folks find that some of the leading Audio Rack companies, like HRS, CMS for ex., which seem great but is it beneficial to warrant spending well over $15k , $10k + or $5K on vibration isolation for a mid level system. Racks are really hard to demo; I’m reaching out to Audiogon community.

I’m trying to get my arms around some of the price points and the cost/benefits.
Anyone find wood is sonically better?
Doesn’t seem to be that much between A/V furniture manufactures and the better companies. Prefer a Modular approach like Bassoconuinuo- (anyone have it? I haven’t priced it yet.) or adjustable shelves. (not that keen on Solid Steel).
I need 6 shelves including top for turntable.
Currently have a BDI with glass shelves; using still points, or BDR cones, maple butcher blocks. Yes, I know the glass shelves...have to go.
Thanks!

blue_strat
mgattmch
555 posts
 

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.

blue_strat OP
25 posts
 

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!!


 

mitch2
3,692 posts
 

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

frankmc195's avatar
frankmc195
141 posts
 

As long as you have a stable platform that doesn't move or vibrate you won't need a $12,000 one. It's not to say you don't need good footing on your components.

celtic66
1,611 posts
 

Very beneficial.  Cannot be overstated.  Progression from old Target stands to Quadraspire SVT to Quadraspire Reference X has not only solidified my belief in their value, but also their value for each component stationed on top.

I've no TT, so step back from that.  I will confirm that each component benefitted.

My wife's system (Rega Apollo R CD, Mojo Mystique' 3 DAC, Luxman 509X integrated) initially set up on an IKEA bench.  Sounded really good.  Then planted everything on a Quadspire SVT stand.  Remarkable improvement.  Dynamics, attack, separation of voices and instruments, blacker sound stage, all improved dramatically.  It becomes a question of how much improvement, not if.

BTW, ATC SCM 20 monitors are on Sound Anchor stands with Herbies Fat Dots. Again, a real improvement from Sound Organization massed with sand/shot.

Enjoy your journey to audio Nirvana.

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