Rack mount or not

Brasiliaflyer

So a local guy has a new Mid Atlantic rack-mount cabinet. It is black with silver trim around the glass door. Anyone have any preference to rack mounting all the gear in a 49" tall cabinet and keeping it behind the seating area as opposed to a normal tv stand shelf? Pros and cons?

Thinking this might be one of those ideas that sounds good, but looks lame...

Brasiliaflyer

I should add that the rack is less than $200.

wolfman1138

I love my Middle Atlantic rack, but you should be prepared for some cost overruns on your $200.

If your equipment already has rack ears, then 4 screws and it's in. If not, then you have to go pick out the right shelf. There are two methods here. Just buy generic shelves and space them the right distance apart, or go to Middle Atlantic's data base and pick the shelf that matches your equipment. (They come in 1U, 2U, etc heights and different depths.) Watch out for the equipment depth and weight. For very heavy items, like receivers, they make shelves that attach to both front and rear rails. (Oh yeah, the rear rails are sold separately.) Vertical Power strips, lacing bars, etc all make wiring easier, but can start to add up in cost.
You also need to plan your heat management with a rack, although it is much easier because there are so many options.

I like my racks because everything feels more solid. I have a bunch of stuff bolted in using ears and stuff on the proper shelves for the rest. Originally I was going to get the machined face plates to give a very clean look around the shelved components, but it was cost prohibitive.

Hope this info helps your decision.

polkfarmboy

I would make sure the equipment gets good ventilation in the rack. I have never owned one myself but I think there are some cooling fans that run nice and quiet that you could buy

mantis

wolfman1138 wrote: »

I love my Middle Atlantic rack, but you should be prepared for some cost overruns on your $200.

If your equipment already has rack ears, then 4 screws and it's in. If not, then you have to go pick out the right shelf. There are two methods here. Just buy generic shelves and space them the right distance apart, or go to Middle Atlantic's data base and pick the shelf that matches your equipment. (They come in 1U, 2U, etc heights and different depths.) Watch out for the equipment depth and weight. For very heavy items, like receivers, they make shelves that attach to both front and rear rails. (Oh yeah, the rear rails are sold separately.) Vertical Power strips, lacing bars, etc all make wiring easier, but can start to add up in cost.
You also need to plan your heat management with a rack, although it is much easier because there are so many options.

I like my racks because everything feels more solid. I have a bunch of stuff bolted in using ears and stuff on the proper shelves for the rest. Originally I was going to get the machined face plates to give a very clean look around the shelved components, but it was cost prohibitive.

Hope this info helps your decision.

I'm gonna assume your a Installer , not many consumers know that about Middle Atlantic especially Laser bars and vertical power strips. Another dead give away was the U spacing.
I've been in the business for 13 years and have built many racks , they are by far the very best way to go for gear stored in a gear room , closet etc. They do not however look good in a living space room. Very industrial in most peoples eyes.
Cooling , spacing and management is best in a rack. They are designed for this purpose. They are the industry standard which all others try and follow.

leftwinger57

I would have to agree w/ Mantis. I built my own rack and not only did I pick up a humm by more than likely running power cables along w/ source cables it just didn't look right in my living room. I thought for sure there would be an advantage for my rack mount Adcom but it does have feet and the stack I have now looks and works much much better. Mid-Atlantic are pros at what they do but a closed rack does present venting poblems. A touring rack rig w/ multible fans going is not the answer either...

sbpolk

I like mine... This is my old theater... New one has two racks. I like em, but not just freestanding in the room. They need to be integrated! ;0)

sbpolk

Oh ya... Prepare to spend 5 times your $200 rack price to do it right. Ya, it is that expensive.