AUDIO RACK SUGGESTIONS?

[StereoNut]

I am trying to decide on what new audio racks to buy. I need (want) to get 2 identical 4 shelf racks to use side by side. There are a couple of "musts" that have to be met.

• One shelf on each rack needs to have 12" of height (space) between shelves.
• One 12" height section needs to hold a 50 lb. amp.
• Top shelf needs to accommodate an 18 x 24" butcher-block that my VPI Prime sits on. (approximately 50-55 lbs. total)

Lastly, I'd like to keep the budget to $300.00 maximum for each rack.

Thanks,
SN

[Nick B]

I've got a Pangea (which I like a lot), but just measured and only 8-9" in between. I'll keep looking ....

[StereoNut]

Thanks, Nick. I'd like to know what everyone else is using (pix would be great) to see if it would work out for me.

SN
(Bill)

[Nick B]

Bill,
I found the extended height pillars for the Pangea, but still only 10"... am getting closer

[James Edward]

I will offer a caveat- I use a Salamander rack- but one big drawback to me is the 'infinitely adjustable shelves'- this means all four points of the shelf have to be level- which means a LOT of adjusting- at least on the model I have. If I ever buy another shelf, I'd go for one that uses a pin system of some sort for the four corners.
Good luck in your quest.
Welcome back- https://youtu.be/0VkrUG3OrPc

[StereoNut]

Nick - Thanks for the research.

James - I agree with you on the adjustable style rack. I'd never have the patience for that. Lastly, thanks for the welcome back. Especially the link! 

Even though it puts me way over budget, I'm thinking of 2 of these...
http://www.vtimanufacturing.com/vti_product/bl404-13-audio-rack/

[malloy]

I'd also like to know what is out there for the same money.

I'm using a Pangea Vulcan but I removed one tier so I only have 2 instead of 3. Until I get something better, these will have to do. I did not notice any improvement in sound with the cd player and amp on it.

The VTI you linked to looks like a Lovan. I used to have Lovan racks with spikes and some other damping material. Those racks really improved the sound.
They looked like these VTIs: https://www.standsandmounts.com/vtiblseriesaudiovideorackbl304ssilvercaps.aspx

Lovan's site is inaccessible now, I think they are out of business.

[StereoNut]

Hi Malloy

I actually have a 4 shelf Lovan rack now. (Have had it for many years.) Great self-balancing 3-legged design. It's just that I now need more rack space. Thus my quest here.

SN

[malloy]

Hi Malloy

I actually have a 4 shelf Lovan rack now. (Have had it for many years.) Great self-balancing 3-legged design. It's just that I now need more rack space. Thus my quest here.

SN

Ah. Great! There seems to be a hole in the price tiers of audio racks. All I see are those that are budget, such as Monoprice, then those in the few hundred dollar range then prices jump up to a few thousand dollars. Aside from Salamander, VTI, and Pangea, the next tier up seems to be Solidsteel, but their 2 shelf rack is already $399  Atacama is already in the $1k range, Walker Audio goes up to mid 5 figures. 

Actually, I have a similar question, but for speaker stands. I'll create another thread. I'm looking for a good set of stands for around $300.

[toobluvr]

May need to think outside of the box to meet all requirements and your price point.

With the advertised "winter" discount this one is only $14 over budget, with free shipping:

https://www.standsandmounts.com/vtiblseriesaudiovideorackbl304sssilverframe.aspx

Remove the bottom shelf......
Replace it with 3 stacks of hockey pucks, 3 pucks in each stack....
Assemble the rack (sans bottom shelf) on top of the hockey puck stacks.

Each puck is one inch thick, so stacking them gives 3 inches.  Glue them together if stability is needed.  Distance from floor to the first shelf (the one with 9 inch support) is now 12 inches.  Floor is effectively the first shelf, with 3 shelves above it = 4 shelf rack.

Meets all your requirements, with 2 more shelves in the closet should your needs grow in the future.

If not for the 12 inch requirement, this rack would work great:

https://www.monoprice.com/search/index?keyword=Monolith+by+Monoprice+4+Tier+Audio+Stand+XL

I love the solid brawny looks, and the price can't be beat.  I've seen it on sale for $125.  Much nicer than the Panagea...IMO of course.

[StereoNut]

Hey toobluvr!

It's been a long, long while. Thanks for your ingenuity on this. I have a lot to think about with this, but that's good. Choices are good.

Stay well,
SN

[toobluvr]

Yep, it's been awhile Bill.  I now live in SC.  Hope you are well.   

~ John

[toobluvr]

This one meets all requirements and is well within budget:

https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGKVTTX2

[StereoNut]

Nice work, John. This may be a great choice. It's funny, because I looked on AA but didn't see this particular stand.

Edit.... Now I see it. It's in the clearance section!

SN

[Nick B]

Good price, very stable and easy to assemble