AFFORDABLE HIGH VFM RACKS - Opinions Please...

Really happy with my Arcici Suspense rack, I looked for years and until now never found one worth investing in.

Are the VTI racks any good?

I have Zoethecus stands for both my equipment and my amp. Core stands are similar to the old Zoethecus. Before that I a had Solidsteel 6.4 equipment stand. And before that I had a Target AER4.

My turntable is on a VPI turntable stand filled with sand and a thick maple top. I wanted a separate stand for my turntable away from any possible equipment vibration. The VPI filled with sand is VERY heavy and very solid. The maple top sits on cones.

I have noticed a huge improvement in the sound when I went from metal stands to a wood ones. All my gear is tube so that may make a difference. I think my system just sounds a little more natural on a good solid wood rack. If I were going to buy a new stand today it would probably be something like a Walker or Mapleshade stand. But I really like the old Zoethecus stands with their special Z shelves. I would not trade mine for anything.

Wolf-Garcias is right, use iso-blocks and save your money.
Quad racks use a series of curves that seem to work, cork and rubber is cheaper.
Personally, I wouldn't take a Mapleshade if it was free, whatever good that may be done is by the points and iso-blocks they tell you to use with them.

I relish agreement, even with an unnecessarily plural moniker. I appreciate groovy design, but extremely expensive racks are things I really doubt would pass a blind test if the components on the racks were individually isolated with the aforementioned bits of vibration soaking goo pads. And hey...where else can I say "vibration soaking goo pads?"