Suggestion for component rack

EndersShadow

I am looking for a nice component stand that looks similar to a bookshelf (it can actually be a bookshelf) in height. This will not be used to hold my TV, but rather will be set off to one side of it. Would prefer all to be housed in one rack, but two is an option. All other requirements below:

1. Black in color (no glossy black please) or wood capable of being stained or sanded and restained (wife will want either black to match speakers, or stained to match other wood furniture :rolleyes:).
2. Shelves capable of handing a couple heavy items (amp and receiver).
3. Enough shelves to handle the following items with room for fure expansion (additional dedicated amps or backup UPS): Carver AV-705X amp, Integra DTR 5.9, Wii, Xbox 360, Samsung blu-ray player, DVR, Uverse Router
4. Would prefer if it did not have an totally open back so I can hide my cables easier.

Any suggestions or links extremely welcomed.....

DON73

I have Bello for TV, amp, DVD etc. They're not cheap but I got them when the store closed them out. You might Google......Audio Video Furniture or Racks and Stands. They have a variety of racks. I don't know what you want to spend but these are fairly reasonable.
Rick beat me to it while I was typing my answer. For years I used an etagere I bought unfinished and stained it myself. It doesn't look like an audio rack but it's strong enough to hold any gear I have and the shelves are adjustable. Cost $169 back in the late 80s.

EndersShadow

Rick88 wrote: »

Perhaps you could find something here:

http://www.racksandstands.com/default.asp?refid=MS569.%22racks%2dand%2dstands%22

Yeah, just ran through them and Cruthfield....

DON73 wrote: »

I have Bello for TV, amp, DVD etc. They're not cheap but I got them when the store closed them out. You might Google......Audio Video Furniture or Racks and Stands. They have a variety of racks. I don't know what you want to spend but these are fairly reasonable.
Rick beat me to it while I was typing my answer. For years I used an etagere I bought unfinished and stained it myself. It doesn't look like an audio rack but it's strong enough to hold any gear I have and the shelves are adjustable. Cost $169 back in the late 80s.

Yeah, these things are friggin expensive.

I might just have to call my Uncles in WI who are carpenters and have them build me something. Gotta be cheaper than the ones I am seeing that would work. I could also then build in some ventilation fans and get them cut to my specs....

DON73

EndersShadow wrote: »

Yeah, just ran through them and Cruthfield....



Yeah, these things are friggin expensive.

I might just have to call my Uncles in WI who are carpenters and have them build me something. Gotta be cheaper than the ones I am seeing that would work. I could also then build in some ventilation fans and get them cut to my specs....

That's probably your least expensive way to get what you want. All of my racks have wheels............some will say to put spikes on everything but wheels are very nice when you try to move 200-300 pounds around......that's become very apparent as I've aged:biggrin:

EndersShadow

DON73 wrote: »

That's probably your least expensive way to get what you want. All of my racks have wheels............some will say to put spikes on everything but wheels are very nice when you try to move 200-300 pounds around......that's become very apparent as I've aged:biggrin:

Yeah I would probably put wheels on them/it and then some sort of adjustable spike/foot that would allow me to wheel it in place then jack it up on once done.....

The more I think about it the more I think I want to custom build. It would allow me the most flexibility in getting just what I want and at a decent cost.

Now I just need to draw up plans and talk to my uncles and see how much materials would run.

fbm211

I got a nice rack from this company.You do have to put it together but I really like mine and there are a-lot of options to choose from.Not cheap but not too expensive either.I got the 48 inch one and plan to add the glass doors later on.
Scroll down to see the stereo racks>> http://www.decibeldesigns.com/bookcases.htm

http://www.decibeldesigns.com/stereodetail.htm

Glowrdr

fbm211 wrote: »

I got the 48 inch one and plan to add the glass doors later on.
http://www.decibeldesigns.com/stereodetail.htm

I have no idea about the company linked - but why does the "addition" of glass doors make me think Ikea? Don't get me wrong - I've got 3 Ikea dressers in my bedroom. I like their modular design, I just never really see that anywhere else.

But definately in this case, the OP should go custom. I would imagine you are looking at ~$200 for the materials, assuming you're getting the family discount - you will probably end up with a $300-350 rack that will last a lifetime.

Just looked at Decibel Designs site - these things look pretty decent. If I had a living room that I could actually move in, I'd consider buying something like this. Worth checking out.

dkg999

Take a look at Salamander Synergy racks. The ultimate in flexibility. I've picked up both of mine used at decent prices.

EndersShadow

fbm211 wrote: »

I got a nice rack from this company.You do have to put it together but I really like mine and there are a-lot of options to choose from.Not cheap but not too expensive either.I got the 48 inch one and plan to add the glass doors later on.
Scroll down to see the stereo racks>> http://www.decibeldesigns.com/bookcases.htm

http://www.decibeldesigns.com/stereodetail.htm

I do like those, and the prices are not horrible, but still a bit high. They are good examples of what I am looking for though....

Glowrdr wrote: »

But definately in this case, the OP should go custom. I would imagine you are looking at ~$200 for the materials, assuming you're getting the family discount - you will probably end up with a $300-350 rack that will last a lifetime.

Just looked at Decibel Designs site - these things look pretty decent. If I had a living room that I could actually move in, I'd consider buying something like this. Worth checking out.

Yeah they look good, my only concerns are how much each shelf can handle weight wise.

On lunch I drew up a couple idea's on paper for my custom build that might be a bit more sturdy.

Couple thoughts I had initially:

1. Rather than relying on just 4 holes per shelf (2 per side), why not drill 4 per side (total of 8 per shelf) to give better weight dispersal?

2. Why not make the left and right side extend 2-3 inches deeper than the back of the rack to make sure you give adequate spacing behind. This would also allow you to hide any cable mess when viewed from the side

3. Install both wheels and also adjustable footings so even if the floor isnt level you can adjust so the rack is

4. Make the backing piece from a sheet of plywood (1/4 inch thick perhaps) rather than cardboard for additional strength and to allow you to mount cable guides/surge protectors/stuff

5. Make the sides from 1 inch or thicker wood to allow for deeper shelf holes which would allow for more weight to be put on each shelf

6. Install a couple sections of fans from this site: http://www.coolerguys.com/ho.html to ensure good airflow for the amp, reciever and other gear

Any suggestions/thoughts on these ideas is appreciated. As stated these were just a couple things that came to mind when thinking about doing a custom build….

smglbrth

We have something that looks like the "Sonoma Entertainment Pier with 4 shelves", made by Flexsteel. It's not exactly the same one as this but it's darn sturdy, kinda tall and looks great. Ours is a cherry finish/color but the Sonoma cabinet is darker, maybe walnut finish. Only thing about it is it's a pain the arse to hook things up. The closed back is nice and does have screws to take it off but I still need to leave it "hanging". I need to run the wires through the holes I cut out (with a hole cutter bit) which sit behind the equipment so you still don't see them. Then put it back on all the way with the screws. Sometimes WAF sucks...

Anyway, if you have a closed back, especially if you have it made, you might want to think about a split in the middle with hinges on each side and fasteners in the middle. That way you could have holes in the middle section (figure a half moon on each "door") to shut the back and still not see the wires...

My .02...

DON73

The furniture grade oak plywood used by Decible Designs is not cheap at all. I've paid $25 for a 5X5 sheet of furniture grade Baltic Birch plywood. The shipping may get expensive. My eterge just has 4 metal clips holding each shelf and back in my younger days I put my Adcom 5800 amplifier on a shelf with no problem at all.

A lot of audio cabinets with backs are not deep enough for some components. I like to have at least 18-24 inches to allow room for all connections easily. If I made one with a back it wouldn't be for added strength. I'd use mortise and tenon joints and if I wanted a back I'd attach it with velcro.

EndersShadow

DON73 wrote: »

The furniture grade oak plywood used by Decible Designs is not cheap at all. I've paid $25 for a 5X5 sheet of furniture grade Baltic Birch plywood. The shipping may get expensive. My eterge just has 4 metal clips holding each shelf and back in my younger days I put my Adcom 5800 amplifier on a shelf with no problem at all.

Thats good to know, perhaps then I would just use 4 clips total...

DON73 wrote: »

A lot of audio cabinets with backs are not deep enough for some components. I like to have at least 18-24 inches to allow room for all connections easily.

Yeah I found that out on my current entertainment center. The Carver can only go in one spot or it sticks out too far. That and its tighter than crap trying to connect anything to my Integra...

DON73 wrote: »

If I made one with a back it wouldn't be for added strength. I'd use mortise and tenon joints and if I wanted a back I'd attach it with velcro.

Now there is a thought....

Gadabout

Looks like StudioTech has changed their offerings.

They used to offer a lower cost version that you can see in my Sig (HT section). It was nice as it will hold lots of weight and was modular. From their web page it appears they are only offering the higher end stuff.

I would still recommend them as their customer service is great and build quality is excellent.

You might also consider a build your own / salamander archetype style and get just what you want

Scott

praedet

I made one for my stuff long ago...

I made a flexy rack with 4 rods instead of 3. I used 6 ft threaded black rods from McMasters, black nuts and black washers with rubber washers for isolation/mounting the shelves, and I glued together 0.75 inch MDF to make 1 1/2 inch thick shelves. You can size however you want, and I know my roughly 100 lb amp is supported wit NO problems. I have all the electronics in my signature on mine plus a few others...

fbm211

Here is a thread of my decibel designs rack.As you can see in the pics further down the thread Post #15 it is a pretty deep rack.I have close to a foot of clearance behind the gear.(except the theta data)And its strong enough to hold the 135lb CRT HDTV
The salamander rack in post #8 is killer.And expensive(but worth it if you have the funds.)

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104020

Sherardp

VTI makes a good looking component setup with color options.

EndersShadow

reported