Glass to wooden shelves?

[CageyH]

I have a Target HiFi rack, with glass shelves. I am thinking about replacing them with some DIY birch ply shelves. Do you think the hassle of making 5 neat and tidy looking shelves will be worth the gain in sound quality - if there is any?

[brian2957]

Yes mate . I never use glass shelves . They tend to narrow the soundstage and harden and push the sound towards you . I've tried glass , marble , and slate shelves and supports over the years and I've always gone back to wood .
There are some people who like this kind of sound but I'm not one of them I'm afraid :)

[struth]

Some do say you shouldnt run things on glass as you can get odd resonances .... i did find this on my old rack, which was all glass and ss. It improved on feet but there was still something there. Pretty much everything is currently on wood now. Think it depends on your equ and how the glass unit is constructed though. If its designed right by a good company it shouldnt be too bad. Garys one is all glass and ive not heard any probs

[walpurgis]

If you think the glass shelves resonate, why not give them a 'skin' of clear plastic safety film instead of making wood shelves. The film would drastically reduce any ringing and not be visible.

[brian2957]

Yes Grant , I was over at Garys place last night and his system is sounding pretty special TBH . However , much of his gear sits on aftermarket feet which I'm pretty sure are there for a reason .

[brian2957]

If you think the glass shelves resonate, why not give them a 'skin' of clear plastic safety film instead of making wood shelves. The film would drastically reduce any ringing and not be visible.

Yes that may be worth a try Geoff :)

[Sovereign]

That's a difficult one as the difference you hear is totally subjective. A) you may not like the difference,
Or maybe you will B) you might not hear any difference at all. It kind of depends what your after.
In general terms, glass shelves bring a slightly forward sound and you may find it can over emphasise the top end.
When I put 36mm Nordic ply under all my kit some time ago I found it gave a bigger, bolder and deeper sound, yet retaining all detail and three dimentialaity.
It would be great if you could borrow a timber rack before you go to the hassle of timber shelves.

[Sovereign]

That's a difficult one as the difference you hear is totally subjective. A) you may not like the difference,
Or maybe you will B) you might not hear any difference at all. It kind of depends what your after.
In general terms, glass shelves bring a slightly forward sound and you may find it can over emphasise the top end.
When I put 36mm Nordic ply under all my kit some time ago I found it gave a bigger, bolder and deeper sound, yet retaining all detail and three dimentialaity.
It would be great if you could borrow a timber rack before you go to the hassle of timber shelves.

[walpurgis]

Yes that may be worth a try Geoff :)

It's cheap to try and removable.

[CageyH]

A sheet of Baltic birch ply is reasonably cheep.
I can rough out shelves, to try and finish them later.
I just need two to start with.

The safety film is an interesting idea though.

[SquireC]

Your best solution is to place a bamboo block (if it will fit) on top of the glass. Just lift it off the glass with some acrylic feet of some sort. Bamboo butchers blocks can be bought for around £15. Slimmer ones Re available from IKEA.

I very much doubt your birch shelves will bring any improvement. IMHO.

[karma67]

If you think the glass shelves resonate, why not give them a 'skin' of clear plastic safety film instead of making wood shelves. The film would drastically reduce any ringing and not be visible.

yep,do what mana used to do,stick 2 strips of sound deadening strips,dynamat, in the middle.it worked for them!

[brian2957]

Yup , I would try some wooden supports under your source then amp Kevin .

[CageyH]

18656

I have just roughed out two shelves from a sheet of 15mm ply I had lying around, and have sat these on top of the glass shelf - for now.

I will see what this does before I make any more, or investigate cones etc.

Enjoy the upside down picture...

[brian2957]

I was just thinking '' that's different '' :lol:

[CageyH]

For some reason, it won't go the right way up....

[CageyH]

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5746/30905470740_266158a11b_z_d.jpg

All the music was falling out of the holes in the top of the amps....

[brian2957]

Initial impressions ?

[CageyH]

My daughter has been asleep, so not listened to the system since popping the shelves in.

[brian2957]

Yup family first , hifi further down the list :uhho:

[walpurgis]

Oh, I don't know. I get the family up at 6am each day with Wagner's 'The Ride of The Valkeries' at volume setting eleven! :eek:

[brian2957]

Hah! That'll do it mate :D