What do have for an audio rack?

[steveinaz]

I'm shopping for an audio rack and looking for recommendations. I definitely want something with good cable management and either adjustable shelves, or a unit that you can leave some of the shelves out. Pics would be great...

[gmorris]

That is an easy one Steveo!!

The flexi rack or Salamander rack as some call it. I (and others) have built their own.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=SALA5B/X&product_name=Archetype%205%2E0%20Five-Shelf%20Audio%20Rack

[dorokusai]

I have this rack, although in black.

Adona Corporation (www.adonacorporation.com)

The DIY will save you alot of money, and would be a neat project

[dorokusai]

Rack.

[gmorris]

I agree, DIY is a cost savings & a fun and easy project.

As far as cable managment, I'm thinking of adding some 1-1/2" or so PVC tube, painting it black, and attaching 2 tubes to the back: one for A/C cables & one for signal cables. Just a thought.

[steveinaz]

Originally posted by gmorris
I agree, DIY is a cost savings & a fun and easy project.

As far as cable managment, I'm thinking of adding some 1-1/2" or so PVC tube, painting it black, and attaching 2 tubes to the back: one for A/C cables & one for signal cables. Just a thought.

Good idea! I never thought of that approach.

[gmorris]

You could attach the tube, then drill a hole into the wall just big enough to fit the cable into. There would be holes at each shelf level to allow the component on the shelf to insert the cable into the tube. In my rack, I'd have the tube with 3 holes drilled in each tube. The hole would have to be large enough to allow the plug end of an A/C cord to enter.

[tryrrthg]

Another vote for the Flexi Rack here. I built mine pretty cheap! Fun EASY project. It's rock solid too!

Picture (http://www.angelfire.com/alt/tryrrthg/stand3.jpg)

[amulford]

I built mine. I don't like it, I'm going to build another. DIY is the way to go, you can custom build, not adapt a design.

[gmorris]

Even if you don't want to go the DIY route, I still think the Salamander rack at Audioadvisor.com, for $250 for a 5 shelf unit, it a pretty good deal. Then again, you could build the same thing for $50 MAX. I think the best reason to buy one would be the high quality finish. I painted mine, and it looks O.K., but it still looks like I painted it.

[steveinaz]

I think the flexi is the way to go. I like the looks and the flexablility of shelf placement. I've got to have 8" clearance above my toaster, errr, my Parasound amp.

thanks dudes for the input!

[tryrrthg]

Just a general tip for making a flexi. Cut all your boards to size, then clamp them all together when you drill your holes, that way they'll all line up perfectly, otherwise it's a big pain in the ass to get the threaded rod through, it still is a pain but much easier if they line up.

[steveinaz]

Thanks for the tip; being the lazy bastard I am, I'll probably slap down the bucks for cherry model at AA.

[scottnbnj]

Originally posted by tryrrthg
Just a general tip for making a flexi.

if anyone has waf problems with this rack, it might look cool to cover the threaded rod with foam pipe insulation (home depot, lowes). probably wouldn't be difficult to wrap that with speaker grill cover cloth or any fabric(maybe fasten with double sided carpet tape or spray adhesive). it comes slit along its length, so you wouldn't have to take the unit apart to slid it on.

if you wanted a more massive look or kill reflections, you could also cover the edges of the shelves. you might want to add an edge to the shelves first that's a little larger than the shelf material first, so it's not sliding off all the time.

here's a pic to give you an idea of what it looks like:

http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/125-0000

)

[Shizelbs]

How much coin did you DIY flexi guys drop on your project?

[tryrrthg]

Originally posted by Shizelbs
How much coin did you DIY flexi guys drop on your project?
Mine cost about $65, but only because I covered it in cherry vinyl from Parts Express. The rolls of that cost me the most. The shelves of MDF are cheap!

[tryrrthg]

Originally posted by scottnbnj
if anyone has waf problems with this rack, it might look cool to cover the threaded rod with foam pipe insulation (home depot, lowes
I've seen people cover the threaded rods with PVC. I believe someone here at club Polk did that, can't remember who though...

Ahh, here it is, TonyPTX did it:

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/images/showcase/58_11_big.jpg

[nadams]

Built mine

http://www.king-nerd.com/dood/images/2ch/DSC00211.JPG

(In case anyone's wondering, the "real" speakers are up above.... www.king-nerd.com/dood/2ch.htm )

[RuSsMaN]

nadams, send me your addy, I want to send you a box of goodies.

You've been around here a long time, and I'd like to 'hook you up' with some toys.

Cheers,
Russ

[pixiedave]

i found a piece of old furniture on the side of the raod, works great and you cant beat the price

[steveinaz]

Cool, thanks to all for posting pics and opinions.

Oh cool....this is my number 1000 post!