Modular Audio Rack

tecmo04
tecmo04 Posts: 421
edited May 2008 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Well ive come to a cross roads again and need some advise. Ive moved into a new place and need to buy a new Modular rack for my equipment.

So far i like these two. :)
http://www.racksandstands.com/VTI-BL304-VI1005.html

and

http://www.racksandstands.com/Lovan-CL1B-22DW-LV1148.html

If you have any other suggestions they would be appreciated.

P.S. What are you guys using and how is it working out? Does the stand make an audible difference?
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Comments

  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,184
    edited August 2007
    What's your budget? I recently was shopping for one and saw the prices range from 100 smackers to a little less than 6K. Yes, just for an audio rack.

    As for them making an audible difference, yes and maybe to me. "Maybe" because I have only had two racks and with the cost associated, I've never felt the need to A/B a rack. "Yes" because I went from a big entertainment stand to a strictly audio stand that doesn't block the sound as much [my gear is in-between the speakers].
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • tecmo04
    tecmo04 Posts: 421
    edited August 2007
    racksandstands.com has both racks im looking at! any other opinions on the racks, advise, quality?????
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited August 2007
    I just recently bought the Vti 404 and it is very nice looking, especially with the cherry finish. It makes my rig look more professional too. Mine arrived as scheduled with no shipping damage or problems. You can't beat the price of these VTI's. I decided to go with the 4 legger instead of the 3 because it appeared more stable. Do the spikes help? Not sure because I just got a new cdp around the same time. The spikes look very cool though.

    There was a very similar looking one I found on Amazon.com except for $100 more you could fill the arms with sand, which should also improve sound quality.
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,664
    edited August 2007
    nice stand
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited August 2007
    VTI's racks are very, very good, however, their customer service could be improved upon IMO.

    I filled mine with #9 lead shot.
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  • tecmo04
    tecmo04 Posts: 421
    edited September 2007
    Ern Dog,
    That looks awsome! i always thought i was going to get the chrome spikes but i like the black on black now. What website did you buy it from?

    p.s. new set up. Im going to put the stand to the left of the tv.
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited September 2007
    Pray that you don't need service...............http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46986&highlight=customer+service+nightmare

    Major headaches and hoop jumping was endured by all of us on this simple transaction.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited September 2007
    tecmo04 wrote: »
    Ern Dog,
    That looks awsome! i always thought i was going to get the chrome spikes but i like the black on black now. What website did you buy it from?

    p.s. new set up. Im going to put the stand to the left of the tv.


    I bought it at the vti website- same one you have listed, just a slightly different model.
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  • tecmo04
    tecmo04 Posts: 421
    edited September 2007
    im leaning toward the Lovan. I dont know why, but the company seems more reputable. Any one had any experience with them?
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  • tecmo04
    tecmo04 Posts: 421
    edited September 2007
    a few more questions...

    the depth of the Lovan rack says 17". My H/K is 15.5" + about 1.5" for all the cords on the back.
    is this rack not deep enough?
    The VTI says its 20". Does that make the decision for me?
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited September 2007
    tecmo04 wrote: »
    a few more questions...

    the depth of the Lovan rack says 17". My H/K is 15.5" + about 1.5" for all the cords on the back.
    is this rack not deep enough?
    The VTI says its 20". Does that make the decision for me?

    The rack doesn't have to be right up against the wall. My wires rest on the excess shelf space at the back of the shelves. It is a lot easier to conduct wire management when they have a little shelf to rest on rather than just hanging. Plus that little bit of extra shelf gives a might of strain relief.
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  • tecmo04
    tecmo04 Posts: 421
    edited September 2007
    Well after much consideration i ended up buying the VTI rack, silver caps, black poles, and cherry MDF. I cant wait for it to come!

    Thanks for all the help! pics to come when it arrives!!!!
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited September 2007
    Now all you need to do is go out and buy six bags of #9 lead shot and you're good to go.
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  • tecmo04
    tecmo04 Posts: 421
    edited September 2007
    i was planning on going with sand for convenience...
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited September 2007
    I've used reptile and pure beach sand in the past and found it troublesome. First off it is messy and never really goes away if you know what I mean. Secondly if it is the least bit moist in your area the sand WILL get moldy! Third, lead shot is easy to employ and IMHO is a much better damper than sand.

    EDIT: You can use an old funnel to fill in the post and rectangular shelf supports. All you need to do is take the end caps out reach in where the ends of the shelf supports are and pull out the rubber plug. It will take 7 to 8 bags of shot to fill the rack completely. This is how I did it and when I take a metal rod to it, it is dead as a door nail.
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  • tecmo04
    tecmo04 Posts: 421
    edited September 2007
    Where would one go about getting lead shots for the poles?
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited September 2007
    I got mine from my local gun shop. I suppose any gun shop that provides reloading equipment would carry the shot. Don't be tempted to buy it online unless there are absolutely no gun shops in your area. The shipping costs would be very high.
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  • tecmo04
    tecmo04 Posts: 421
    edited September 2007
    The VTI rack arrived today!!! It was packaged was very good, with lots of bubble rap. Its a perfect fit! I also filled the legs with sand for now. What a difference. I flicked the poles with my fingers before and after and wow. What a nice feature.

    Thanks for all the help! :D:D:D
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited September 2007
    tecmo04 wrote: »
    The VTI rack arrived today!!! It was packaged was very good, with lots of bubble rap. Its a perfect fit! I also filled the legs with sand for now. What a difference. I flicked the poles with my fingers before and after and wow. What a nice feature.

    Thanks for all the help! :D:D:D

    Glad to hear it! Good luck and if you need any help with filling it with a damper, don't hesistate to ask.:)
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,903
    edited September 2007
    why didn't you consider the vti bl-404? it's more flexible so you can do things like this.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited September 2007
    marvda1 wrote: »
    why didn't you consider the vti bl-404? it's more flexible so you can do things like this.

    Please in a PM tell me what did that run ya?
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited September 2007
    Hey, that's a good idea. Never thought about arranging it that way.
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited February 2008
    I am actually considering the VTI BLG404SB model. Shipping to Canada is terrible and the Canadian distributor will not ship to Yellowknife. One of the downfalls of living up here.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited February 2008
    marvda1 wrote: »
    why didn't you consider the vti bl-404? it's more flexible so you can do things like this.

    I was thinking the 3 leg version myself...but now I really like this. Although, you need some room for it.

    Mike
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Consonance cd120T
    Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Usher CP 6311

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  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited February 2008
    janmike wrote: »
    I am actually considering the VTI BLG404SB model. Shipping to Canada is terrible and the Canadian distributor will not ship to Yellowknife. One of the downfalls of living up here.

    Not crazy about glass anything when it comes to audio.

    Mike

    PS. How do you quote to include the attatchments...I am so computer dumb!
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Consonance cd120T
    Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Usher CP 6311

    Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
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  • seeclear
    seeclear Posts: 1,243
    edited February 2008
    Ern Dog wrote: »
    I bought it at the vti website- same one you have listed, just a slightly different model.


    Does anyone want to share what the URL for the VTI website is? I am having no luck finding them through google. I get lots of results for the stands, but I don't think I see the VTI company site. TIA
    "Don't forget to change your politician. They are like diapers they need to be changed regularly, and for the same reason."
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  • Bill Ayotte
    Bill Ayotte Posts: 1,860
    edited February 2008
    I've got a question for whoever has the 3 pole rack; Does it get in the way of anything on the back of your equipment? The last one I owned was a catastrophe, it blocked the two sets of inputs I actually used...
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited February 2008
    seeclear wrote: »
    Does anyone want to share what the URL for the VTI website is? I am having no luck finding them through google. I get lots of results for the stands, but I don't think I see the VTI company site. TIA

    http://www.vtimanufacturing.com/


    Any other thoughts on the tempered glass things. It looks solid.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2008
    marvda1 wrote: »
    why didn't you consider the vti bl-404? it's more flexible so you can do things like this.
    Marv, that's really cool! I'll keep that in mind in case I decide to go with monos.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited February 2008
    That is a really nice layout Marv. Perhaps the MDF is a better route to go. Let me think now.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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