Audio Rack with Positive "waf"

Check with Brooks Tanner - solid maple racks, better built than most furniture found today. I have one and another on order. Similar in look to Zoethecus, but better built and better finish work. www.bjtanner.com

-Ed

For a while, I used a Standesign Design 5T rack. (Available at Audio Advisor for $499.) In black, it is fairly minimal in appearance -- the shelves are attached to a center post in the back. With components on the shelves, the post isn't visible, and the only part of the rack you see is the shelf under the component (which is unavoidable). The rack has 5 shelves, with a bigger space above the lowest shelf to accommodate amps and taller stuff. Negatives: (1) watch out for inadequate clearance in the back (against the post) for cabling and deep components; (2) the post is backward slanting so the shelves are staggered backwards, perhaps unattractively; (3) the shelves are not supported as rigidly as are shelves that would be supported in the typical 4 corner posts architecture; and (5) the gaps between shelves are not adjustable. I later switched to a Salamander Synergy rack. It has none of the negatives I noted above, and my wife said she liked it. It looks better at home than in the catalog or at the store. Good luck.

If you're looking for something to blend in with high end furniture, you will find little or nothing in audio stores or catalogs.
Ever wonder why you will see little or no audio equipment on home decorating shows?
I use a large armoire to "hide" my gear (except speakers) and I paid about double your budget (and I got a 50% discount). I had to go to a high end furniture store to get this and it took 4 attempts to deliver the thing undamaged.
Other option is to get a cabinet maker to make you something. There are some who specialize in this, but again you will probably exceed your budget.
Sorry I can't offer more encouragement.
Maybe some others have had better experiences.

Disclaimer: We are a dealer for Solid Tech.

A rack line that you should investigate would be those from Solid Tech. Very high WAF and exceptional sonic performance/build quality.

Best Regards...Mike - Father & Son Audio

CHECK OUT THE FURNITURE AND AV GEAR FROM LOVAN...
GO TO AUDIOADVISOR.COM
THEY SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING THAT WILL FIT ALL YOUR GEAR AND SUIT YOUR TASTES...
CHECK OUT THE LOOK OF MY SYSTEM AT THIS AGON LINK
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vopin&1022936456&view
GOOD LUCK,
JOE