Greetings from NY area

[sslbun]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Welcome.
Like you, I built my rack. Used 3x3 hardwood and 1" all-thread rod/nuts/washer for the frame and polished granite for the shelves. Very pleased with its flexibility. Looking forward to seeing yours.

I've seen some granite shelving in my rack research - would love to see pics of yours. It's going to take a while, I'll be sure to post pics once I have the first one fabricated. I'm going out to some metal workers and millworkers to get mine built, so I'm not building it myself, just designing it.

[sslbun]

Originally Posted by Pooch

Hi all, new to this forum and curious to just chat with folks. I have been in a little bit of a transition equipment wise of late, and trying to integrate a new to me Accuphase C 260 preamplifier to the mix. My system, at the moment is: Accuphase A20 V Class A Amp., Cayin CS 55A Integrated Tube Amp, the Accuphase C 260, Clearaudio Concept with Satisfy Arm and Hana ML Cartridge, Icon Audio PS1 Mk II all tube Phono Preamp, Gustard X26Pro Dac, Wilson Benesch Square 2 Speakers, and 2 REL 5x subs.

I like to switch between the Tube and Class A Amps depending on what I'm listening to at the time and which way I want to go.

Welcome from a fellow junior member! This is what I'd like to do next to familiarize myself with tube sound. But I'm still dialing in my system and getting familiar with the sound so I'll take my time. Let us know how the testing goes!

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by sslbun

I've seen some granite shelving in my rack research - would love to see pics of yours.

Here is a pic...........
The granite pieces are sink cut-outs from kitchen counter tops. They are (were?) generally throw-away pieces that were broken up and then a cost to dispose of. Think the granite emporiums have gotten smarter, so may have figured out uses for them. I had them polish all edges and use a layer of 3/16" thick Dynamat between the shelf and the wood.
You can see the fore & aft stringer has been notched half the 3" height, which locks all the stringers together once the nuts are tightened. Total weight of the rack is ~400 pounds, so add the weight of the equipment and its not going anywhere. The all-thread rod makes adjusting shelves easy.

[sslbun]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Here is a pic...........
The granite pieces are sink cut-outs from kitchen counter tops. They are (were?) generally throw-away pieces that were broken up and then a cost to dispose of. Think the granite emporiums have gotten smarter, so may have figured out uses for them. I had them polish all edges and use a layer of 3/16" thick Dynamat between the shelf and the wood.
You can see the fore & aft stringer has been notched half the 3" height, which locks all the stringers together once the nuts are tightened. Total weight of the rack is ~400 pounds, so add the weight of the equipment and its not going anywhere. The all-thread rod makes adjusting shelves easy.

Nice aesthetic. I was curious about using stone even though I'm designing in wood and steel for now. You've given me something to think about. How does the dynamat compare with some other options? I've got a design drawn up that incorporates dampening and isolation within the rack (mostly in the joints and how the shelves are held), but I'm leaning towards just a solid frame with no dampening/isolation and just providing room for isolation platforms that lots of manufacturers make.

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by sslbun

How does the dynamat compare with some other options?
I've got a design drawn up that incorporates dampening and isolation within the rack (mostly in the joints and how the shelves are held), but I'm leaning towards just a solid frame with no dampening/isolation and just providing room for isolation platforms that lots of manufacturers make.

Not sure what other options you might be thinking. Some sort of mechanical isolation, such as Stillpoints or Iso-Acoustics, requires considerable additional space (as well as expense).
I'm pleased with what I'm hearing, so have looked no further than the Dynamat. Plus, the granite shelves add 'mass loading'. Using isolation platforms was another option should this have not worked out.

[Audiophilehi]

Welcome Steve and Pooch!! Very nice system Steve!!

[sslbun]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Not sure what other options you might be thinking. Some sort of mechanical isolation, such as Stillpoints or Iso-Acoustics, requires considerable additional space (as well as expense).
I'm pleased with what I'm hearing, so have looked no further than the Dynamat. Plus, the granite shelves add 'mass loading'. Using isolation platforms was another option should this have not worked out.

Ok got it. Being an architect and designer, I'm a little surprised at how few options there are for pretty audio racks. I see a lot of effort placed in the joints and connections, and of course lots of isolation platforms built into the overall design. Stillpoints was interesting because of the vertical cable suspension system which I guess mitigates some lateral movement or vibration. But having worked with a lot of structural engineers, I'm not sure that system will actually work better than a simple mass loaded rack. I've designed lots of cable suspension systems for curtain walls, stairs, landings, and small pedestrian bridges that had a lot of unanticipated movement due to the rhythm of footsteps or oscillation caused by wind. I digress a bit, but being new to this field, I wonder how much some of these manufacturers' designs actually work to improve SQ. I'll have to experiment and research some more.

I'll be sure to post some pics later when I start fabrication.

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by sslbun

I'm a little surprised at how few options there are for pretty audio racks.
I'll be sure to post some pics later when I start fabrication.

I would definitely not describe my rack as 'pretty', but it is quite functional. I may even get around to painting it this summer.
Looking forward to what you come up with. The ride to get there is often as much fun as the destination.