Show us your rack!

[Guest]

10 hours ago, Be Quiet...Listen said:

How do you find the granite Marc? In my trials thus far it hasn't been positive. And that seems to be the consensus of the knowledgeable heads I know well. 

 

Not much I can say really. There was no audible difference between the Solidtech rack it replaced to this one with the TechDAS turntable. I then upgraded to a Dohmann Helix 1 quite some time back which really doesn't seem to care what it's mounted on as long as its rigid (floating suspension). 

[Astrosound]

This is custom made; absolutely no feeback or vibration. Each shelf might sit on very fine sand (not here applied), even Granite slab (120 kgs) for TT and motor sitting independently.

Weight you may see on close photo of spikes

 

The only problem is to heavy for me to move around, and now I am wanting something less weighty, but it is probably hard to sell for appropriate  price.

Edited July 1, 2024 by Astrosound
spelling

[Allan]

1 hour ago, Astrosound said:

The only problem is to heavy for me to move around, and now I am wanting something less weighty, but it is probably hard to sell for appropriate  price.

 

 

 

Put the amp on a nice trolley, thats 75% of the weight solved

[Peterbean]

2 hours ago, Astrosound said:

This is custom made; absolutely no feeback or vibration. Each shelf might sit on very fine sand (not here applied), even Granite slab (120 kgs) for TT and motor sitting independently.

Weight you may see on close photo of spikes

 

The only problem is to heavy for me to move around, and now I am wanting something less weighty, but it is probably hard to sell for appropriate  price.

I can relate. There is

 a point in life ( most of you probably aren’t there yet) where yes that’s a BIG issue 

 

on another issue which MLs?

[klm]

2 hours ago, Astrosound said:

This is custom made; absolutely no feeback or vibration. Each shelf might sit on very fine sand (not here applied), even Granite slab (120 kgs) for TT and motor sitting independently.

Weight you may see on close photo of spikes

 

The only problem is to heavy for me to move around, and now I am wanting something less weighty, but it is probably hard to sell for appropriate  price.

George’s old rack, used to run a VPI TNT turntable hence the motor cut out. Worked very well when sand loaded.

[Astrosound]

Martin Logans - ESL

[Allan]

 

I had a rack system but got tired of looking at it, found this oak buffet on Marketplace for $200

think I'll rob the oak from it and frame up my own iron storage system in pot belly black. This is a great thread for ideas!

 

 

 

Edited July 2, 2024 by Allan

[Barry_72]

33 minutes ago, Allan said:

 

I had a rack system but got tired of looking at it, found this oak buffet on Marketplace for $200

think I'll rob the oak from it and frame up my own iron storage system in pot belly black. This is a great thread for ideas!

 

 

 

Looking forward to seeing where you end up with this, I have a question re DAC, I have a Ares 12th combined with the Iris 12th DDC, I notice you have the Pontus - I am about to pull the trigger on an upgrade and thought I would ask your thoughts on the Dac?  Cheers  

[Allan]

G'day Baz. Its the Pontus 12th edition with the latest firmware.  I do like its sonics very much, its very clean sounding with great image depth and width, absolutely no fatigue in this setup with Proac or Thiel speakers. Its timbres are good but not world class in my book.. I'm fussy in this department. If I'm going to tyre kick it then I'd much rather something that had a bit more flexibility with its re-sampling but since the Lumin has full up/down re-sampling I'm sort of covered anyway. How does it compare to the analog VPI & Graham Slee Era V, it certainly doesn't have the presence analog does, not in this setup.

 

By the way that Goya, I cant believe it, it now looks like a Messiah! 

 

Edited July 2, 2024 by Allan

[Barry_72]

Hi Allen

 

Thanks for the info, I think its a no brainer for me to upgrade, I have listed the Ares 12th (Such a good Dac for the ROI $$)

I don't trust the NOS setup in Denafrips and I don't really like up-sampling with Roon (currently testing HQ Player).

 

I have gone blank - GOYA?

 

Cheers

Baz

 

[Allan]

Yes Baz I agree. The Pontus is excellent buying for the money, absolutely no doubt there. So far all internal DACs I've overridden with the Pontus, the Pontus has come out in front. For me though its resampling limitations, particularly given its a DAC we are talking about, is somewhat disappointing. I find resampling old recordings can at times make positive improvements. Its inputs & outputs are quite flexible and serves well in this department. I bought mine new, I've had it now for maybe 2 years, if it wasnt nice sounding it would have gone a long time ago.

 

I'd like to know what you upgrade too Baz, please keep us posted.

 

Goya & Messiah = guitars

 

Edited July 2, 2024 by Allan

[Peterbean]

4 hours ago, Allan said:

 

I had a rack system but got tired of looking at it, found this oak buffet on Marketplace for $200

think I'll rob the oak from it and frame up my own iron storage system in pot belly black. This is a great thread for ideas!

 

 

 

I really like that format 

the only trouble I have had with this is when I have to squeeze the tv in as w well

[Allan]

 @Peterbean my system these days is pure stereo with no video. My buffet here is on a side wall, I've often thought about adding video again as I've a large music DVD collection, when pondering this I keep thinking overhead projection with a motorised drop down screen between the speakers. My music room is shared as dining / lounge so like you I've to compensate. My front wall is mostly windows and a door leading outside with heavy drawable drapes across 90% of the wall.. excellent for sonics, it has a wonderful view outside I dont want to loose. The room has a big open fire place, as much as we love it its a bloody nuisance as it constrains the room layout. Compared to a rack the buffet certainly blends in better, its integral storage is a big big bonus & it hides the cables better. Everything is at an easy hight which I love, no more bending over or squatting on knees. Dont think I'll ever go back to a rack.

 

Compared to a rack, has the buffet impacted sonics.. absolutely it has, its become somewhat dull or not as lively. I never touched the speakers when going over to the buffet, all interconnects, power cables ect are exactly as they were. I get absolutely no feedback on vinyl so I put it down to not being isolated between components plus the storage area's would be resonating somewhat. Easy fix, line all buffet internal walls with high mass absorption which arrived just this week. Will also juggle the DAC, Lumin, Pre and CD deck about to benefit sonics plus add pointed feet to the buffet. I'll make it work!

 

 

Edited July 2, 2024 by Allan

[Peterbean]

16 hours ago, Allan said:

 @Peterbean my system these days is pure stereo with no video. My buffet here is on a side wall, I've often thought about adding video again as I've a large music DVD collection, when pondering this I keep thinking overhead projection with a motorised drop down screen between the speakers. My music room is shared as dining / lounge so like you I've to compensate. My front wall is mostly windows and a door leading outside with heavy drawable drapes across 90% of the wall.. excellent for sonics, it has a wonderful view outside I dont want to loose. The room has a big open fire place, as much as we love it its a bloody nuisance as it constrains the room layout. Compared to a rack the buffet certainly blends in better, its integral storage is a big big bonus & it hides the cables better. Everything is at an easy hight which I love, no more bending over or squatting on knees. Dont think I'll ever go back to a rack.

 

Compared to a rack, has the buffet impacted sonics.. absolutely it has, its become somewhat dull or not as lively. I never touched the speakers when going over to the buffet, all interconnects, power cables ect are exactly as they were. I get absolutely no feedback on vinyl so I put it down to not being isolated between components plus the storage area's would be resonating somewhat. Easy fix, line all buffet internal walls with high mass absorption which arrived just this week. Will also juggle the DAC, Lumin, Pre and CD deck about to benefit sonics plus add pointed feet to the buffet. I'll make it work!

 

 

That’s all good, I’m leaning towards that option for sure. Re the open fires- they are viewed pretty disparagingly due to poor air quality, you would be better off switching to electric. There may be a financial encouragement to do that. So a way to fix the other problem!

[Flash]

Any kind of wood heating, whether it be open fire, or enclosed heater is really dusty, which isn’t great for HiFi components. I have the same struggle, as I have a cockatiel. They have dry feathers, and disperse a lot of dust. It’s a constant job to keep components clean. I clean every couple of days, and dust cover goes on the turntable as soon as it’s not in use. 

[Allan]

yes wood heating is dusty and the very reason the dining / lounge / music room open fire place has never been used over the last 10 years. We have a combustion wood heater in the main living area that heats the whole house and is way more manageable than open fire. I'm on a rural property here so won't be going electric, we need to capitalise on the wood abundance.. cheaper heating. In winter my power bills average around $400 a quarter, gives me heaps of leg room for the hungry Class A amp!

 

There's some knacks to minimising dust with combustion wood heaters. Open very slowly when stoking and close just as slow too. When not in use shut the vent. When emptying, place a stainless bucket half way through the door opening and place ash inside bucket, sit still for 20 secs before slowly pulling bucket out.. have room closed off when doing this. Pull the wood heater apart once a year a give all the nooks and crannies a good vacuum particularly around the blower system. Lastly, ensure the door seal is changed once a year. I have minimal dust issues and get to enjoy balmy cheap wood heating, bit of extra work gathering wood, splitting ect but I'm an outdoors person anyway. Wood ash is the best thing for lemon trees too!

 

 

Edited July 3, 2024 by Allan

[David A]

I use Taoc ASR II racks with upgraded Finite Elemente Cerabase Classic feet, and a heavier Taoc SCB-RS-HC50G board for my cd player . They're good value and are as good as I need at my current level of system.

Edited July 9, 2024 by David A

[Peterbean]

On 3/7/2024 at 1:50 PM, Allan said:

yes wood heating is dusty and the very reason the dining / lounge / music room open fire place has never been used over the last 10 years. We have a combustion wood heater in the main living area that heats the whole house and is way more manageable than open fire. I'm on a rural property here so won't be going electric, we need to capitalise on the wood abundance.. cheaper heating. In winter my power bills average around $400 a quarter, gives me heaps of leg room for the hungry Class A amp!

 

There's some knacks to minimising dust with combustion wood heaters. Open very slowly when stoking and close just as slow too. When not in use shut the vent. When emptying, place a stainless bucket half way through the door opening and place ash inside bucket, sit still for 20 secs before slowly pulling bucket out.. have room closed off when doing this. Pull the wood heater apart once a year a give all the nooks and crannies a good vacuum particularly around the blower system. Lastly, ensure the door seal is changed once a year. I have minimal dust issues and get to enjoy balmy cheap wood heating, bit of extra work gathering wood, splitting ect but I'm an outdoors person anyway. Wood ash is the best thing for lemon trees too!

 

 

Potters who make their own glazes often use wood ash too

[Flash]

For what started out as a bunch of chopping boards from Harris Scarfe, and furniture legs from eBay, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 11, 2024 by Flash

[Barry_72]

1 minute ago, Flash said:

For what started out as a bunch of chopping boards from Harris Scarfe, and furniture legs from eBay, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. 

Looks great and similar to Ben Burton Racks

[Flash]

4 minutes ago, Barry_72 said:

Looks great and similar to Ben Burton Racks

Thanks mate. If that comparison is drawn, considering what those cost, I’m satisfied, haha

[Flash]

Damn photos are in the wrong order!

[PKay]

17 minutes ago, Flash said:

Damn photos are in the wrong order!

Do you have a link to the legs?

 

 

[Flash]

6 minutes ago, PKay said:

Do you have a link to the legs?

 

 

Here ya go:

 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/275368765373?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-154756-20017-0&ssspo=uwQAVP5MQCK&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=1Ig596EXQMO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[PKay]

1 minute ago, Flash said:

Here ya go:

 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/275368765373?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-154756-20017-0&ssspo=uwQAVP5MQCK&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=1Ig596EXQMO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

These look good and they are a hifi bargain.