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Flexy rack threaded rod material

It seems that brass is the universally accepted "best" material for the threaded rods of a flexy rack, but has anyone actually compared brass rod to any other material in a flexy rack in the same room and in the same system? I'm having a little problem shelling out 3x the money for something that is supposed to be better even though no scientific proof exists (or maybe it does, I just haven't found it).
ketchup
ketchup OP
700 posts
 
Tom, I totally hear you.

Opinions based on experience or science are somewhat valid, but opinions not based on either should not even waste space in the forums. That's why I wanted to know if anyone actually tried both. Do I think there's anyone who tried steel first and switched to brass? If so, probably like two people in the world.

I just figured that there are so many proponents of brass that it MUST come from somewhere, whether it's from experience in testing different materials or scientific theory.

I particularly love when people claim that brass is better for building various stereo components because instruments are made out of it. Seriously?

Thanks for the down to earth response.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
One thing which may make a difference is using rod with the Acme Thread.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
I have used both steel rods and brass rods in one of my isolation stand products, both with good results. At least One high end amp, the Berning EA2-150, has a brass chassis.
theaudiotweak
2,801 posts
 
I have compared steel all thread rods with brass all thread rods with the same components and the same shelving. One left and one stayed. Oh before that I compared brass lock nuts with the steel lock nuts on steel rods.. again one left and one stayed. That was about fifteen years ago. Tom
jdoris
972 posts
 
Which one stayed, Tom?

I asked myself the OPs question when I built mine. I went with brass, but I'd be seriously surprised if I could tell a difference, sonically, in the event I A/Bed, which I didn't. People who build footers and the like, including people I think well of, like Steve at Herbie's Audio Lab, would likely say otherwise. The factors driving my decision were the visuals: brass develops a nice patina over time, which looks right in my older home. Also, the footers I decided to use came in brass, and I wanted a match. I believe the difference in cost was 200-300 bucks then (the materials make it a pretty expensive rack), and I felt like that wasn't too much to pay for the visuals. With a different decor, of course, the steel might go better (say, if you're a chrome and leather person).

Below is a link to a thread where I got lots of help building mine. For me, the upshot was that although I'm very happy with my rack, with patience I could have gotten better value in a used rack.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?htech&1158841915

John
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