What makes an audio rack an audio rack?

Pycroft

Hi all -

There's a reason for this question -

A lot of racks say they reduce vibration, and do other things that make the sound improve. Here's the situation -

I work at a high school that has a great woodshop teacher. Each year, students of his take on BIG projects (In the past, those that stand out are grandfather clocks, canoe's, etc.). I would love to see if a student of his can work on building a rack. The question is - what makes it an audio rack? I look at something like this: http://app.audiogon.com/listings/stands-timbernation-cherry-wood-rack-with-satin-lacquer-finish-2014-02-06-accessories-16686 - and it just looks like a real nice piece of furniture to put audio equipment in. Is there some design, or something else that makes a typical 'shelf' turn into audio furniture?

Is there desired woods for certain effects? Does it matter if it is full wood, or something hollowed out to allow to be filled (I see people putting sand and other junk in their stands). Would love to hear from those who have made items like this before.

Thanks!

James

ZLTFUL

For mine, the design concept was vibration isolation, simple design, aesthetically pleasing and solid build quality.
In general, racks tend to be convenient places to place your hardware...sometimes pleasing to the eyes and sometimes not.

As far as materials, I prefer domestic and exotic hardwoods. They tend to be more dense and weigh more. I have also explored things like solid aluminum bar stock, solid brass bar stock and solid stainless steel. All very nice materials in their own rights but a bit cold for my tastes. I like the natural visual warmth of hardwoods.

Anyway, my racks have accomplished my design goals. I have my turntable directly above my subwoofer in my 2 channel system and haven't had any issues related to vibration when nearing reference volume levels.

mhardy6647

...for me, if an audio component fits on it, it's an audio rack (or at least it can be).

Pycroft

Dd you plan them to lessen vibration, or did you just plan them to fit your components and look nice? Is there some schematics or scaled drawings you made with some design. I agree with mhardy, if it fits my stuff, putmitnthere. I'm trying to figure if there's something more than meets the eye when it comes to audio racks.

James

ZLTFUL

I built mine from drawings in m'brain. Hehe.

But I fully planned on vibration dampening being a positive side effect. I used the general concept put forth by Timbernation but modified the design a bit and made it more my own.

Fact is, however, that the CDP and the TT are the only 2 components in my 2 channel that really have a need for vibration isolation. The other solid state components aren't nearly effected enough to have a sonic difference.

EndersShadow

Pycroft wrote: »

Dd you plan them to lessen vibration, or did you just plan them to fit your components and look nice? Is there some schematics or scaled drawings you made with some design. I agree with mhardy, if it fits my stuff, putmitnthere. I'm trying to figure if there's something more than meets the eye when it comes to audio racks.

James

Eh forget the vibration stuff, have them make a rack thats flexible with shelf placement so you can modify it as your gear gets bigger, smaller, etc with more or less shelves.

Then just factor in some cookies or vibration dampners on your own.

The one thing I would suggest is if this is meant to hold a TT to have them build a little sandbox (which you fill with sand) and then float a board on top of it for vibration isolation for your TT.

BlueFox

All components require vibration isolation, from power conditioner, to pre-amp, to CDP, to DAC, to file player, they all sound better with vibration elimination. I started out by using Mapleshade Micropoint brass footers on my gear. Later I upgraded my rack to a Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf rack. The shelves are solid maple, with six steel bars used for vertical support. Without gear, the rack weighs 400 pounds, with gear 700 pounds. Along with the brass footers, I feel I now have a good handle on minimizing distortion from vibration.

cnh

I don't own a great "rack". lol But from what I've seen here, isolation and, especially, the various spike like decoupling devices are important. I don't worry about this that much in the main room because there the room is naturally treated for reflections, etc. And there is massive padding and carpeting all over it, plus I really "doubt" I could hear anything "subtle".

I spent the weekend in NYC and attended a performance at Carnegie Hall. With my best listening skills I could NOT hear the kind of DETAIL some here have in their HIGHER end systems (some which often sound "bright" to my ears). The LIVE concert had NO irritating brightness to it and though you could certainly hear where the instruments where and depth of field it was NOT as EXAGGERATED as it is on a lot of systems that are "crystal clear". And it's not like the acoustics in this Hall are "bad". So what does that really mean about some of the sound heralded as LIVE that people claim they're approaching? Frankly, I don't know. But it reaffirms my preference for a "warmer" less crystalline and pristine sound. Because that IS what I heard! And it was "natural", not artificial.

BTW! Having the boys in wood shop take on this project is a great idea, I slept my way through wood shop in my time (I was bored senseless by it). I think I would have a different perspective to it now! And a lot of guys here are ACES in the subject!

Good Luck! And post some pics, later.

cnh

Glen B

Here's my old DIY 2-channel and HT system racks. Both were constructed of red oak, with MDF shelves. I painted the shelves matte black, and applied iron-on oak veneer to the edges, then clear lacquer. The bottom and top shelves of the 2-channel rack float on hidden spikes for vibration isolation.

boston1450

All the pics on this thread look very nice & sturdy. I myself will be building one soon. Keep the pics & ideas coming
..
As far as spikes go-what is ideas on those with hardwood floors ? Spikes on plates ?

Glen B

I use metal protection discs under spikes to protect my hardwood floors.

Hofy

There is no one size fits all when it comes to a good rack for your gear. Vibration isolation, ventilation and the all important WAF need to be taken into consideration.

boston1450

Thanks for pic Glen B. Thats a great idea if you decide to put down carpet & you can spike them or use disc. Is there a site i can order those from & see other ideas before tackling a project. I think i would be gearing more toward the size of your bottom pic above. Maybe with another shelf in the middle. I like the center speaker spot. Very nice. Thanks again

zingo

mhardy6647 wrote: »

...for me, if an audio component fits on it, it's an audio rack (or at least it can be).

This is somewhat true as not all shelves/racks are deep enough to accommodate average audio components.