New rack to replace ghetto end tables

[ben62670]

Well I got tired of trying to get behind my tables to do wiring. A friend had a tall rack that was going to be thrown away. It was 45" tall single column. I cut it in half, and used a shelf between to tie them together. Another neighbor gave me some nice BB casters to improve mobility. When I repair my GFA-585 it will reside in the space to the right. The space in the middle will be for my customer center speaker.


Yes I need to clean it up! The ICs are not near the power cables or speakers! This took out a lot of hum I was getting!

Edit: Total cost= Zip, zero, nadda!!!

[dorokusai]

It might not have cost you anything but it looks terrible. Didn't you just build a set of custom SDA Frankepolk's? and that's what you set your gear on?

[treitz3]

So what are you proposing? A DIY rack to hold what you have? Future purchases in consideration?

Nice gear.

[ben62670]

It might not have cost you anything but it looks terrible. Didn't you just build a set of custom SDA Frankepolk's? and that's what you set your gear on?

OUCH! I know I need to spend a little time with zip straps, but looks terrible?

[madmax]

It probably sounds terrible too. :)

Keep in mind that the same system can sound totally different depending upon what you sit it on. The soft tops and sides certainly create instability.

You want the truth, right?
madmax

btw, I don't think it looks too bad.

Edit: I take back the last statement. Those amps need to be sitting on amp stands in front of the speakers, a little off to the sides. :)

[ben62670]

The amps are sitting on 1 inch mdf, and not touching the sides.
Thanks Ben

Edit: The power wires are no closer than 4 inches to any IC's, and it has cleared up a lot of noise. The large amp is an Adcom GFA-5800 which is fan fed , and does not get hot.

[madmax]

I hope you didn't take that as a put down. It was meant with the best of intentions. That is some fine equipment to be sitting on a cart.
madmax

[treitz3]

That is some fine equipment to be sitting on a cart.

I agree Ben, all due respect. I thought when you had posted the picture, that this was the rack that you were going to replace. Please take no offense.

If you have anybody that can make it up to Charlotte and pick up my old stand, you are more than welcome to have it. It is a "contemporary" oak peice [back in 1988] that I have obviously had for a long time. I have upgraded my audio stand recently and the other half is gettin' on me about getting it out of the house. It's yours if you want it.

[SLOCOOKN]

BEN,

Did you still need the mono cd? If so pm me your address and I will mail it to you this week.

[ben62670]

OK guys I don't understand the issues with the stand. I am trying to understand what issues are prevalent here. The unit is very strong, and was actually a professional Audio rack that was taller that I had cut in half, and widened.
Thanks for your help.
Ben

[engtaz]

You didn't say it was a DIY project. LOL

[DarqueKnight]

You might consider building a wood "skirt" to go around the bottom of the rack to hide the casters.

[candyliquor35m]

I think you will win teacher of the year when you pull that into your classroom.

For me it's all about functionality but the comments about looks are valid so take them into consideration and compromise: buy a throw to cover it up when you're not using it.

[madmax]

In general most equipment needs to be isolated totally or tied to something firmly to transmit vibrations to and or from other masses, or isolated so as not to. Some things vibrate about the vertical plane, others in the horizontal plane. In general, vibrating somewhat at a medium frequency resonance is about worst case. Your cart will provide this problem without doubt.

With all that mindless mumbo-jumbo being said (and me admitting I don't really understand most of it) most amps sound much better if spiked to something of high mass. Tubes especially but SS as well.

Besides, your system could look SO cool if given the chance.

The MDF was a good attempt at a start of controlling resonance but with the vertical and horizontal movement possible from the soft cart on wheels, it just can't be good.

[ben62670]

The cart is very very stiff. You guys know how much Adcoms weigh. With my back I need the casters. The uprights are steel with rolled edges, not flimsy in the least. I don't do skirts unless you get me drunk enough:D With the weight of the amps I figured it would be plenty solid enough. Also I am looking for a sheet of sorbothane to place under my CD, DVD, and PrePro.
I am one of those guys who needs to know why.
Thanks for your patients Ben

[madmax]

There is a difference between solid and soft. Flimsy or non-flimsy doesn't really describe it. We are talking about vibration which moves stuff around by maybe 1/10,000 of an inch. It has a force that would take a concrete slab to transfer the energy to. It has massive acceleration and deceleration fast enough to make capacitors noisy. Its a whole area of this hobby we should all probably know a lot more about. I get into la la land whenever I start reading about it.
madmax

[ben62670]

Thanks MM. I figured MDF would be the next best thing to Maple. Thats what I hear any way.

[surfntomm]

the amp may work fine but when you spend so much money on the gear why not spend a few bucks to get a decent looking stand.

seems sturdy but no even on the WAF radar imo.

in terms of dampening for your audio equipment it just comes down getting a rack that will absorb any external energy being transmitted via the ground from your speakers. the bass is prolly the biggest culprit due to its larger amounts of energy so if your stand has a high natural frequency, you should be fine. only way to test if it does is to put it on a shake table though im afraid.

im looking for a rack as well and the cheapest but best looking ones i could find were made by vti. im sure they can hold your amps fine.

Tom

[candyliquor35m]

There is a difference between solid and soft. Flimsy or non-flimsy doesn't really describe it. We are talking about vibration which moves stuff around by maybe 1/10,000 of an inch. It has a force that would take a concrete slab to transfer the energy to. It has massive acceleration and deceleration fast enough to make capacitors noisy. Its a whole area of this hobby we should all probably know a lot more about. I get into la la land whenever I start reading about it.
madmax

Are vibrapods the answer? Have they been tested? The seller gave me 3 for the last cd player I bought but I haven't bought anymore because they are a little pricey.

[madmax]

Are vibrapods the answer?

Every scenario is different. I had one CD player that responded exceptionally well with spikes that everyone else was using vibrapods and little roller bearings on. Oh, and another CD that responded well on soft foam or vibrapods. You just have to give it a try and if you can hear a difference then make a decision.
madmax

[ben62670]

the amp may work fine but when you spend so much money on the gear why not spend a few bucks to get a decent looking stand.

seems sturdy but no even on the WAF radar imo.

in terms of dampening for your audio equipment it just comes down getting a rack that will absorb any external energy being transmitted via the ground from your speakers. the bass is prolly the biggest culprit due to its larger amounts of energy so if your stand has a high natural frequency, you should be fine. only way to test if it does is to put it on a shake table though im afraid.

im looking for a rack as well and the cheapest but best looking ones i could find were made by vti. im sure they can hold your amps fine.

Tom

I spend very little at a time. No waf involved. If you say my Speakers you would understand. I am into functionality, and with a center speaker in the middle, and my GFA-585 in the other hole It would look complete. Yes I was considering pods of some sort, and maybe some dynomat on the inside of the opticals.

[swegyptian]

I think the picture makes it look worse than it really is. The picture is taken from a low angle, where you see the wires readily, and the flash really highlights all of it. I think it looks fine, but I would probably paint the metal above the castors black. Overall it's a bunch of really cool stuff on a simple rack. :)

[Deadof_knight]

OK ben its not a brand new rack or anything but it definetely has some potential, velcro straps for removability and a good eye clean her right up. And yes its better that the stands you had because they were for the end of a couch not equipment. I say you did good


Oh yea it looks just HORRIBLE! (Not that bad really just had to say that because everyone else did) !

[cfrizz]

So long as it's sturdy, & he can move it when he needs to, I think is all that really matters.

I think it took a bit of ingenuity to do what he did. My hat's off to him!

[danger boy]

i think the custom DIY rack looks ok.

but my question is.. how many amps does you use? I see two 5 channel amps.. and the big adcom is what a 2 channel one.. and then you talk about the other adcom not shown in the picture.. that's what enough amps to power ... Wrigley Field, Dodger stadium, and Yankee Stadium. Holy sheite!! ;)

[strider]

.....We are talking about vibration which moves stuff around by maybe 1/10,000 of an inch. It has a force that would take a concrete slab to transfer the energy to. It has massive acceleration and deceleration fast enough to make capacitors noisy. Its a whole area of this hobby we should all probably know a lot more about. I get into la la land whenever I start reading about it.
madmax

Is there a link or direction you could point me in so I may get my read on?

Thanks,

Ben

[madmax]

I was looking into all sorts of vibration ideas back when I did my turntable. That was awhile ago. I started by looking into turntable stands that had links to many websites discussing how energy gets transfered. Probably a google of "vibration energy transfer" would get you into some of it. Lots of links with DIY rack articles too.

[Serendipity]

Good job.

It looks nice!

[gwh]

Total cost= Zip, zero, nadda!!!

Free sh*t rocks!

Enjoy your rack.


G