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Wood or metal racks-Which do you prefer and why?

Me I guess I have read much about shelving material propeties ad nauseum over the years.So I guess if Mapple is way to go it can be used no matter rack I get as long as height isn't problem.I had Salamander rack and liked adjustability but always thought it was not rigid enough and those that used metal,points and cups isolated each shelf better.But as with speaker stands,especially with wooden foors,I think if I was going to plonk down I'd go for a Sound Anchor rack even though they are non adjustable (shelf hieght wise).Still when a freind with B&W803's used heavy Sound Anchor bases it imroved thoe sounbd considerably.Think that mass of heavy iron might "outweigh" (sorry I couldn't help myself) the points one might get with Solid Steel,Lovan,etc.
My Turntable I know would best be put on wall with Gingko platform expensive as they may be.The rack itself would gop below and I'd try various inexspenive sorbothane,BDR's etc.Stillpoints might be worth it but damn expensive.Only thing I wouldn't go for (on a counterintuitive basis not experience) would be expensive roller balls.But back to rack what material and design and why?
Cheers
Chazz
chazzbo
gregadd
574 posts
 
red oak works for me.
hel
3 posts
 
Short answer. I received my S B Designs rack about a month ago. It has a foundation made with very sturdy aluminum extrusions and the shelves are thick maple. It seems to use the best qualities of both wood and metal. They have advertisements on Audiogon and have a website at steveblinndesigns.com
mrjstark
1,112 posts
 
Wood is more musical-warmer then metal. Maple or exotic wood.
triode
263 posts
 
Neither - I prefer the Grand Prix Monaco Modular racks & amp stands, which use carbon fiber and aluminum/stainless supports with either acrylic (base) or carbon fiber (upgrade) shelves. Magnifique!
mrjstark
1,112 posts
 
If you decide to go with wood, there are two or tree sources to choose from. You can probably find them on Audiogon . Do your research. I don't want to push you in one direction or the other. Don't worry those companies make their racks very rigid. They can probably custom build it to your specifications & at less one of them make shelves adjustable. Wood has excellent acoustic & sonic properties. That is why wood is so popular as a building material for instruments. Also the best recording studios include wood in they design (floors, diffusers ,stages sometimes even walls ). Wood is also the cheapest material to work with. As far as isolation & vibration control , sky is the limit. Wood can work together with other material to provide desire results. You can also try to fine tune individual component on the rack with different vibration / isolation techniques , isoblock, cones, rolling balls , what ever works for you. With that approach you can have the best of both worlds.
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