Racks - got any favorites?

[Mike]

Finite Element was one of mine, but they went belly up according to their U.S. distributor last week.

I spoke to Philip about the Artesania racks last week. I like those. Removing the shelf from the equation is a unique approach and achieves true isolation.

I get asked about HRS all the time. Never tried them.

I have Solid Tech in the store and those are solid (no pun intended).

Love the Raidho rack.

What do you like?


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[audio.bill]

I don't own it but the Stillpoints ESS Rack is certainly another very serious shelf-less design.

[mep]

I didn't know we were supposed to talk about what racks we like in public, but I like my SRA rack and my Audio Vault rack.

[Mike]

I didn't know we were supposed to talk about what racks we like in public, but I like my SRA rack and my Audio Vault rack.

Haha!


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[jdandy]

Mike.......I have seen some nice looking Quadraspire Racks. I like the curved and vented shelves. They also have a high-end version called the Quadraspire X-Reference shown in the photo below.

[KeithR]

Box Furniture replaced my Quadraspire - I didn't do an A/B test

[jdandy]

Mike.......I also think the budget friendly Salamander Synergy rack systems represent a good value. They are well made and solid once assembled. They can be ordered with or without doors, side panels, and casters, spikes, or flat feet.

This is my Salamander Synergy Twin 40 I have for the living room system. Shelving is infinitely adjustable and I added the optional casters that allow me to pull it away from the wall when I need access to the back of components. I also ordered the cherry side panels to close the left and right sides. The total rack with four adjustable shelves on each side came in under $1K.

[Alpinist]

Finite Element was one of mine, but they went belly up according to their U.S. distributor last week.

I spoke to Philip about the Artesania racks last week. I like those. Removing the shelf from the equation is a unique approach and achieves true isolation.

I get asked about HRS all the time. Never tried them.

I have Solid Tech in the store and those are solid (no pun intended).

Love the Raidho rack.

What do you like?


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Hi Mike,

I have two favorites. For bang for the buck, Solid Tech. For ultimate, cost no object, HRS. I could be very happy with Solid Tech Radius. It is attractive, modular and really solid. But I dream about the HRS MXR in Walnut Burl.

Best,
Ken

[Milk_vanilla]

I use Japanese made rack called TAOC from beginning and play around with some footers ( finite, TAOC, Darkz, Stillpoints), and never do comparison with other rack manufacturers. Though i believe there's lot step up options from others.

[Devg]

Another budget friendly one

https://www.steveblinndesigns.com/

[Mike]

Chris at Timbernation is also budget friendly.


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[cmarin]

Stillpoints ESS racks for source components (other than turntables) and Adona master reference racks for turntables


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[Dpod4]

I had quadraspire but switched to heavier mass (HRS and SRA) which are my two favorites. HRS flagship rack is so heavy and dense I think it has its own gravitational pull like a dead star.


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[Bobvin]

Core Audio Furniture are also budget friendly. I use in conjuction with Stillpoints and also an HRS shelf under my turntable. Their latest racks are a step up from earlier designs—now much better tolerances.

http://coreaudiodesigns.com/products/component-racks/

[Mechnutt]

For budget friendly I use VTI racks. I like the cable management system.

http://www.vtimanufacturing.com/vti_...406-audo-rack/

[MPWRZME]

I have been using Grand Prix Audio racks for 5 years. When I moved my Tenor amplifier over from the custom SRA stand the improvement was massive. It is one of the few racks that I have had in my system that I could without doubt blindly tell that my gear is on/off it.

[the professor]

I think that the custom SRA are great. Love and use the amp stands.

For reasonable prices quadraspire are flexible and very good.

[annapolis Raider]

Been using Artesania for years, never even tempted to try anything else.......

[Jim Smith]

Gran Prix Audio w/F1 shelves & GPA footers w/nitride balls. But only IF the the three elastomer pads per shelf are replaced every six months or so.

Don't have room to list them in my ownership listing at bottom of each page. I like them because they are by far the most musically involving racks I have heard. Others can and do change/improve the sound. The GPA opens the doors and invites you into the music. IMO...

[Devg]

I have a question - lot of the racks that are recommended are sometimes more than the price of the entire electronics that hold them for some of us

what is the recommended approach when buying a rack ? for example, if you need a rack that holds $10k worth of electronics, how much should you spend on the rack and what to look for ?

[bonzo]

Gran Prix Audio w/F1 shelves & GPA footers w/nitride balls. But only IF the the three elastomer pads per shelf are replaced every six months or so.

Don't have room to list them in my ownership listing at bottom of each page. I like them because they are by far the most musically involving racks I have heard. Others can and do change/improve the sound. The GPA opens the doors and invites you into the music. IMO...

How much do these elastomers cost? Also Jim, which other racks/isolation techniques did you try before the GPA, for both electronics and TT? Thanks

[LenWhite]

I have Solid Tech in the store and those are solid (no pun intended).

What do you like?

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I've been using a Solidtech ROS Ref 4 Rack since 2009, added Ultrasonic Acrylic Shelves in 2011.

[Perfect Sense]

Finite Element was one of mine, but they went belly up according to their U.S. distributor last week.

Finite Elemente is restarting under the guidance of founder Paul Sander. Look out.

/ Marcus

[Mike]

Finite Elemente is restarting under the guidance of founder Paul Sander. Look out.

/ Marcus

Great news!


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[Wasatch]

Quadraspire makes some pretty good racks for the price.

[joeinid]

Welcome to the forum, thank you so much for joining.

[jdandy]

Quadraspire makes some pretty good racks for the price.

John.......Good to see you here.

[Wasatch]

Thanks Dan.

[octadyndude]

I've always liked the looks of my pARTicular full suspension Novus rack. The shelves are totally adjustable and hang. A bit wobbly if bumped into though (kind of like Raidho C/D1 stands).

[matt_zak]

I use Lovan Sovereign Series. They make some nice speaker stands too.

[wklie]

I use Japanese made rack called TAOC

It seems to me TAOC is quite popular in Hong Kong (we generally love Japanese products), and there are TAOC racks at Lumin office.

['cisco]

Core Audio Furniture are also budget friendly. I use in conjuction with Stillpoints and also an HRS shelf under my turntable. Their latest racks are a step up from earlier designs—now much better tolerances.

Bob.....we seem to have similar tastes.......I'm looking for a used 2-3 shelf (old or new version) unit to compliment my 4 shelf unit.

[Melbguy1]

It seems to me TAOC is quite popular in Hong Kong (we generally love Japanese products), and there are TAOC racks at Lumin office.

Yup, I use Taoc ASR series racks with FE Cerabase Classic feet & heavier Taoc SCB shelfs in my system. Great value racks!

I also like Massif Audio Design & Critical Mass Systems.

[Milk_vanilla]

Yup, I use Taoc ASR series racks with FE Cerabase Classic feet & heavier Taoc SCB shelfs in my system. Great value racks!

Melbguy,

What a coincidence, my racks combination are 3+2 too!

What's the improvement experienced with / without the SCB shelfs?

[wklie]

Yup, I use Taoc ASR series racks with FE Cerabase Classic feet & heavier Taoc SCB shelfs in my system. Great value racks!

In both the rack in my workplace as well as those in your photo, the bottom rack seems to be curved downwards due to the weight... (Or optical illusion due to camera lens distortion and/or lighting?)

Also the "TAOC" name plate is missing from the former - I wonder if it easily comes off.

[Jim Smith]

How much do these elastomers cost? Also Jim, which other racks/isolation techniques did you try before the GPA, for both electronics and TT? Thanks

Sorry, I cannot remember what they cost aside from being included in the original purchase. I got a large supply of them years ago.

Of course it is absolutely critical to get the correct elastomer dampers in the range for the weight on each shelf - they are not interchangeable for other weights.

I have worked with most of the acclaimed rack/shelving gear. I just like the way the music flows with the Grand Prix Audio system.

FWIW - During those years in the early 2000s, when I was the Avantgarde Acoustics North American distributor, and we won all of those Best in Show awards, I insisted on using the GPA racks and amp stands. I always thought of them not as an accessory, but as a component.

I should also mention that whenever the GPA seemed a bit overwhelmed, it could always be addressed by inserting NEW and CORRECT dampers under each shelf.

You can't expect the highest performance if you try to "just get by". Very much comparable to selecting tubes.

[Melbguy1]

Melbguy,

What a coincidence, my racks combination are 3+2 too!

What's the improvement experienced with / without the SCB shelfs?

My main rack might be expanding to 4 shelfs in the not too distant future . After adding the SCB-RS50G board to my top shelf, a knock test showed the standard shelf's slight tendency to 'ring' was greatly reduced. Also, the board sits much more solidly on the 4 spikes. Good old fashioned mass loading! In terms of sound, I haven't a-b compared the standard shelf vs the SCB as I added Stillpoints Ultra 6 feet at the same time, so I didn't get a chance to compare. Though if the added stability, my crude knock test & reviews are anything to go by, they should provide a nice benefit .

[Melbguy1]

In both the rack in my workplace as well as those in your photo, the bottom rack seems to be curved downwards due to the weight... (Or optical illusion due to camera lens distortion and/or lighting?)

Also the "TAOC" name plate is missing from the former - I wonder if it easily comes off.

Wklie, I took that photo on my Iphone using a wide angle. I also went downstairs tonight to check if the bottom shelf is curved due to weight or otherwise, and i'm sure it is an optical illusion due to the frame's curved edges. I even placed a ruler under the edge of the frame & it is straight as a die.

Re: the Taoc name plate, my SCB boards did come with one, however I decided not to fit them as I thought one Toac plate per rack (on the bottom) was enough. Btw they stick like a National Geographic subscription, so no issue with the plate falling off!

[Shadowfax]

For budget friendly I use VTI racks. I like the cable management system.

http://www.vtimanufacturing.com/vti_...406-audo-rack/

I also went with VTI for budget issues as well as enough shelves to hold all the gear. I use the BL series.

[La Dolce Vita]

Finite Element was one of mine, but they went belly up according to their U.S. distributor last week.

I spoke to Philip about the Artesania racks last week. I like those. Removing the shelf from the equation is a unique approach and achieves true isolation.

I get asked about HRS all the time. Never tried them.

I have Solid Tech in the store and those are solid (no pun intended).

Love the Raidho rack.

What do you like?


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I have a HRS M1R and love it. Artesania makes nice racks too... agreed. I have their other products. For some time I've had Critical Mass on my radar but always felt it to be marginally inferior to HRS...


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[La Dolce Vita]

Mike.......I have seen some nice looking Quadraspire Racks. I like the curved and vented shelves. They also have a high-end version called the Quadraspire X-Reference shown in the photo below.

Mike should be familiar with these as I believe he is still an authorized retailer.


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[Mike]

Mike should be familiar with these as I believe he is still an authorized retailer.


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Yup! I have them in one of the rooms.

[Penthouse-D]

I've been looking to buy a Finite Elemente rack for over a year. Not much U.S. presence. I do hope they return...

[Mike]

I've been looking to buy a Finite Elemente rack for over a year. Not much U.S. presence. I do hope they return...

I've been in touch with the owner. Fingers crossed.


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[BayStBroker]

Rix Rax are priced very fairly, especially when you consider that he will customize whatever you want at no extra charge and builds it all by hand. http://www.rixrax.com/ Bobocalune also has a sweet set. Mine is below.

[Kuoppis]

Finite Elemente Pagode.


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[Melbguy1]

@BayStBroker, very nice looking setup & racks you have there . I forgot to mention RixRax are one of my favorite audio rack manufacturers.

Btw when are your S3 Mk2's due? Good choice of finish!

[BayStBroker]

Thanks! I expect to get some of the first S3 Mk2's to roll out of the factory. We are still hoping for later this month, but I figure it will be March before they ship.

@BayStBroker, very nice looking setup & racks you have there . I forgot to mention RixRax are one of my favorite audio rack manufacturers.

Btw when are your S3 Mk2's due? Good choice of finish!

[Mike]

Thanks! I expect to get some of the first S3 Mk2's to roll out of the factory. We are still hoping for later this month, but I figure it will be March before they ship.

Congrats!!!

[EmiLiuZ]

So many lovely racks posted on this topic

My own "Rack" is a IKEA furniture. It's surely not optimal, but it does it's job !