Salamander Archetype rack improvements

geoff727
geoff727 Posts: 546
edited November 2010 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Hello all,

Here are some mods I recently made to the basic Salamander Archetype audio racks (I have both the 3.0 and the 5.0).

The stock Archetype's are a bit flimsy, especially when holding heavy or top-heavy components, like a large turntable.

The mods are:

1. Apply alternating Dynamat and vinyl damping to each MDF shelf underside.

2. Sandwich that damping with glued & screwed 3-layer oak-veneered plywood.

3. Finish off the edges with 90 degree oak trim.

4. Attach the main unit to solid oak outriggers (end-grain veneered). These increase the 'stance' by over 1" side-to-side, and over 8" front-to-back. A huge increase in stability for the racks.

5. Sharpen the spikes that are available for the Archetypes.

6. Make a nice new top shelf for one of the racks.

The pictures tell the rest!

I have been extremely pleased with the added strength, stability, damping, and cosmetics that this (rather inexpensive and easy) mod did to these affordable audio racks.

Geoff
Polk SDA SRS 2
Polk RTA 15tl
Polk Monitor 7C
Polk Lsi9

Infinity RS-II (modded)
Infinity RS-IIIa (modded)
Infinity RS 2.5 x 2

Magnepan 1.6QR (modded)

System: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vevol&1290711373