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  3. 190076-12990

Racks, equipment and footers

I would like to get a new rack and isolation footers for the rack and/or equipment. The high-end stuff like HRS, might be best, but it's out of my budget. There are so many choices, especially of footers. I'm thinking of going with a nice enough wood rack for aesthetic reasons and footers under each of the components to maximize performance. The system is upstairs with a wooden floor.  No turntable. Questions:

  • should I put footers under the rack and/or just the components?
  •  What about spikes - to drain rather than springs, so I avoid springs interacting with springs
  • if I'm going to put footers under each component, does the material,  construction, weight, etc. of the rack still matter much?
  •  It would be cheaper to just put footers under the rack and leave the components with the rubber feet -  is this less effective?
  • Should I put the same footers under all the components, or is it mix-and-match?

Any thoughts welcome along with specific recommendations on footers.

paullb
mgattmch
573 posts
 

I am a big fan of Core Audio Design racks, they look beautiful IMHO and acoustic isolation is amazing. I had a plyKraft 3L rack with a TT on the top shelf, jumping up and down in front of it did not make the cartridge skip, no effect whatsoever. Not recommended, tried kicking the rack once, no effect!

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

A method that has proven extremely well for myself, but always on Concrete Floors, that is ubiquitous in how all Audio Devices seemingly benefit, has been to build a substantial Plinth to build the Rack Upon.

The next substantial improvement where Vinyl as a Source is concerned is to Brace the Racks to become extremely rigid.

I can't vouch for the Braced Rack for a Digital Source, as many years past, I transferred these devices to a Industrial Type Gallows Bracket, which is Wall Mounted, to create a Shelf System.

The Brackets have a absorbent decoupling material between them and the Wall. The Shelves are Isolated from the Bracket Support and Audio Devices are Isolated from the Shelves.

This method works exceptionally well for the Digital Source and saved me having to expand on the footprint taken up of the Plinth and Rack below.

I have become an advocate of Solid Tech Feet of Silence Type Footers.

I an not familiar with the New Type where the suspension is Horizontally Orientated, but the good news is version of this type are available from other suppliers at a much more affordable cost.

Solid Tech also supply Rack Systems that utilise their suspension methods to separate the Tiers. 

stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,428 posts
 

Solid Steel racks work well in my system.  Reasonably priced, very sturdy (each shelf will easily hold 200 pounds.)

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,862 posts
 

@tvad @mitch2 

Wrap one or two turns of PTFE tape around the outside of the springs on the Nobsound unit. Also, ensure the springs are loaded to around 50% compression. 

I finally discovered the ringing was being caused by Nobsound springs.

mitch2
4,039 posts
 

Holy crap, you are right about the EVP pricing.  I just priced out the 16 large HD EVPs needed to support my main speakers and two subs - $3,824!

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