Equipment Rack

[Sonnie Parker]

The equipment rack I have is really flimsy and it is not adjustable height between shelves. I'd really like to get something that is more stout and is more adjustable.

I've looked at Crutchfield and Audio Advisor... they have a lot of nice racks, but none are adjustable to very much extent. There may not be anything like what I'm looking for out there, but I could be missing it.

If not adjustable, perhaps 9" bottom shelf, 7" middle and 5" top. The ability to swap out various size shelves would be nice.

Anyone have any recommendations?

Here is my current rack... I adjusted the pic so you can tell what it looks like better.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I found the following Salamader unit... their Archetype System. It uses threaded rods as post, which I'd have to cut to length since they only come in 20" and 28" and I need about 22-24". I can buy an extra shelf.

The black is MDF painted, so not sure about whether I want to go that route. Might be too easy to chip depending on how well they coat and finish it. I do have a lot of brown in my room, so the walnut might look okay, and those shelve are solid wood.

 

[jdubs75]

Hi Sonnie- Have you considered using a 19” rack and shelves such as Middle Atlantic? They make shelves for whatever RU size you require making it very custom. I’m extremely happy with my set up and it’s great to know I can make adjustments for whatever components I change and or add in the future.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

I have Salamander Synergy racks in both systems. I use a tall, narrow one in the corner for the A/V system and a counter-height, double-wide one for the music system. They are really sturdy and strong and the shelves are nearly infinitely adjustable. Although I've changed all my equipment since I bought them, they have been reconfigured (more than once) to suit the new stuff perfectly.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I don't mind my mono amps sitting on the floor. The equipment I want to rack is the Emotiva Eleven at 8" tall, which would be on the bottom shelf, HTP-1 at 5.7" on the second shelf, and UB9000 at 3.25" on the third shelf, then I'd place my Roku and Dish Network boxes on top, side by side. I can't go too high or I'll be too close to interfering with my center channel speaker which is at 29". Max height needs to stay at about 26".

I also prefer an open rack, not enclosed, no back, sides or doors. The Synergy is much nicer than the Archetype.

The Synergy SU20 model would not work, and the 30 is too tall at 32" overall. The 20 only has 17.75" in between bottom and top, less the two shelves (I'd need an extra shelf) at 1.5" total. That leaves me with 16.25" and I need 16.95" just for the equipment, plus at least .5" for breathing on top (prefer an inch). I really need about 20" between bottom and top. They offered to cut the Archetype posts for me, so they might do the same on the Synergy.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

The Synergy SU20 model would not work, and the 30 is too tall at 32" overall. The 20 only has 17.75" in between bottom and top, less the two shelves (I'd need an extra shelf) at 1.5" total. That leaves me with 16.25" and I need 16.95" just for the equipment, plus at least .5" for breathing on top (prefer an inch). I really need about 20" between bottom and top. They offered to cut the Archetype posts for me, so they might do the same on the Synergy.

Understood. I hope they will cut the columns to suit.

 

[VinceHoffman]

Hey Sonnie,

The Salamander Synergy racking is more substantial (and rigid) than their Archetype "Flexy" rack when the hardware is properly torqued together. I found red Loctite on the vertical column fixing bolts ensured that it stayed that way. Just be aware that the black painted MDF top and bottom plates mark up quite easily. A local higher end machine shop will have no problem custom cutting the 30" aluminum extrusions to length for you. Be aware though, that a rack frame made of welded tubing is much more rigid still.

 

[gb1]

i use a Timbernation maple rack. It’s more custom than audjustable

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Timbernation

Those are very nice racks for sure. My issue is I change out equipment too often to spend money on a fixed height rack.

Hey Sonnie,

The Salamander Synergy racking is more substantial (and rigid) than their Archetype "Flexy" rack when the hardware is properly torqued together. I found red Loctite on the vertical column fixing bolts ensured that it stayed that way. Just be aware that the black painted MDF top and bottom plates mark up quite easily. A local higher end machine shop will have no problem custom cutting the 30" aluminum extrusions to length for you. Be aware though, that a rack frame made of welded tubing is much more rigid still.

I like the Synergy a lot better and prefer it to the Archetype. Unfortunately we don't have any "high-end" machine shops around these parts. I wouldn't trust anyone other than myself or Salamander to cut them. I am pretty sure they will cut them for me. They offered to cut the threaded posts for $10 each post ($40). I am going to contact them on Monday.

 

[VinceHoffman]

We bought a huge 4 bay Synergy unit to house our great room and patio zone electronics almost 15 years ago. While Synergy doesn't scratch all my audiophile itches, with it's user configurable design, optional side panels, and optional lockable mesh front doors it was an eminently practical solution to our baby proofing needs at the time. Over time the gear collection housed within was streamlined while our physical media movie collection expanded. The rack was easily retrofit to accommodate these changes. I love the Synergy slide out Media Tray drawers. Six drawers accommodates about 500 movies in their cases.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

That's a nice looking cabinet.

I had a custom built 3 column cabinet in the room at one time, but it was so aggravating having to get behind it to disconnect and reconnect equipment, so I've tried to stay single wide since. Granted it was a lot nicer for hiding cables and wires.

 

[VinceHoffman]

That's a nice looking cabinet.

I had a custom built 3 column cabinet in the room at one time, but it was so aggravating having to get behind it to disconnect and reconnect equipment, so I've tried to stay single wide since. Granted it was a lot nicer for hiding cables and wires.

Well hardwood floors and the stock adjustable glider feet make sliding the rack out from the wall and sliding it back a one man job. A spike rack not so much- LOL! Frankly I found the sonic benefits of spiked rack feet diminished as the weight of rack and gear increased. My custom sand loaded, sandbox equipped stainless steel, Corian, and carbon composite rack used for the "big rig" weighs 750+ pounds loaded with gear and I can still slide it out from the wall by myself on it's teflon loaded stainless adjustable industrial equipment feet.

 

[ol_mcdonald]

I’m not even in the same league with you guys equipment wise, but I have to chime in. I guess a lot depends on your definition of a rack. For total flexibility a 19” true “rack” is a good choice. As mentioned above various RU shelf units are available. An honest to goodness rack will support anything the manufacturer sent with rack ears attached or as options.

I’ve been known to move equipment in and out and around and never is there a need for major adjustment or reconfiguring shelves, which is what most of these “racks” are.

Assembling a good rack does require some fabrication skills so if you were unable to cut threaded rod it may not be for you, or a rabbit hole you’d like to pursue, but off the shelf options often leave you desiring more. I do understand WAF is a big part too for a lot of folks.

I’m a DIY guy so I enjoy that part of the build and have many of the fab skills to do myself. Bud industries (and others) make many very useful if not high on the industrial look and low on WAF scale solutions. Many custom installs are built around Bud rack rail.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I ended up ordering the Salamander Synergy Core ... a custom build direct from Salamander. They are making it the right height for me, so I should be good to go in about 3-4 weeks.

Now I need two black amp racks for my monoblocks that are 11" wide x 9.5" deep. The 23" wide amp stands are way too big.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Looks nice ... a bit overkill being my amps only weigh 12.5lbs each. This one is 15" wide by 12" deep... perfect dimensions.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

lol... very true.

Need two stands... amps are on each side of center... no room to place them on the same stand and keep it all symmetrical.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Finally got my Salamander rack in... and I ended up getting a couple of video monitor stands for the amps. Here a shot with the flash... couldn't see it without the flash.