To Rack or not?

[rmcin626]

Having just moved house, I now have the opportunity to look at how my hifi is housed, previously on a rack including the turntable.

I have priced up some new racks including a bespoke version (from solid sounds) they are all coming in around the same price £1000-1300, debating wither just to buy some sort of sideboard/av unit , which would probably work out a lot cheaper.

Any thoughts?

[struth]

i like the sideboard type keeps it all at a good height and easily accessible front and back

[rmcin626]

i like the sideboard type keeps it all at a good height and easily accessible front and back

Yes I was wanting whatever the unit is, a bit higher for the reasons you have given Grant.

[Macca]

I'd use a dedicated rack or shelf for the turntable. Especially if the floor is the suspended type.

[struth]

initially try ikea. might get some ideas as to shapes.

or this sort of thing

https://thumbor-gc.tomandco.uk/unsafe/fit-in/769x629/center/middle/smart/filters:upscale():fill(white):sharpen(0.5,0.5,true )/https://www.oakfurnituresuperstore.co.uk/static/media/catalog/product/b/r/bradwell_large_sideboard_dimension_image.jpg


https://www.oakfurnituresuperstore.co.uk/painted-oak-collections/bradwell-oak-and-charcoal-grey-painted-large-sideboard?gad=1

[rmcin626]

I'd use a dedicated rack or shelf for the turntable. Especially if the floor is the suspended type.

I was thinking along those lines, my new listening room won’t be in place for a few weeks, its a garden room, will be sitting a concrete foundation.

[rmcin626]

initially try ikea. might get some ideas as to shapes.

or this sort of thing

https://thumbor-gc.tomandco.uk/unsafe/fit-in/769x629/center/middle/smart/filters:upscale():fill(white):sharpen(0.5,0.5,true )/https://www.oakfurnituresuperstore.co.uk/static/media/catalog/product/b/r/bradwell_large_sideboard_dimension_image.jpg



https://www.oakfurnituresuperstore.co.uk/painted-oak-collections/bradwell-oak-and-charcoal-grey-painted-large-sideboard?gad=1

Was just looking at Ikea, they have a big selection, but the oak one would also work

[struth]

the oak ones are a good height. and lots of storage

[rmcin626]

the oak ones are a good height. and lots of storage

Was in their Paisley store the other day, but was looking for something else at the time, typical , we are due to visit Ikea this week, so will hopefully get some ideas

[guy]

I like having my turntable wall mounted (although i don’t know your turntable), but with my LP12 a Target shelf keeps it at good height for access and out of harms way - something like this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225681880815?hash=item348bb036ef:g:LOwAAOSwGslkuSQ T&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8I7fUqZFr1zaGcSRSkoXEHydN4fy6 nEfwX3Kmb3C0KFgHpAO%2BDy3%2FjMiIar3J8%2BU987U8C6ll DYR90ji%2F2O2QHsIQJGcfg04DidTnWomP3qdZq7JJ4boAUY%2 BDQdVgQq2dozEuq7hKGEAhUEVR6iyuUpm%2FX13cJqlfVeBd7q TSG377GkGhq2fLdK94GBTWXh1yn1NC%2F5ag7dWeZ4%2FdB5at ym7caEVIJqqcaLCxcCseJbwh1wW0Ss3DdUddeSwFIOSE7Wq8cq P4TkhS0L3FtKK1FiAEpH6S7eZxnI5eF%2BgK775PySlw55JQKa WQI1Oz9ckdQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5bO0MXHYg

[rmcin626]

I like having my turntable wall mounted (although i don’t know your turntable), but with my LP12 a Target shelf keeps it at good height for access and out of harms way - something like this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225681880815?hash=item348bb036ef:g:LOwAAOSwGslkuSQ T&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8I7fUqZFr1zaGcSRSkoXEHydN4fy6 nEfwX3Kmb3C0KFgHpAO%2BDy3%2FjMiIar3J8%2BU987U8C6ll DYR90ji%2F2O2QHsIQJGcfg04DidTnWomP3qdZq7JJ4boAUY%2 BDQdVgQq2dozEuq7hKGEAhUEVR6iyuUpm%2FX13cJqlfVeBd7q TSG377GkGhq2fLdK94GBTWXh1yn1NC%2F5ag7dWeZ4%2FdB5at ym7caEVIJqqcaLCxcCseJbwh1wW0Ss3DdUddeSwFIOSE7Wq8cq P4TkhS0L3FtKK1FiAEpH6S7eZxnI5eF%2BgK775PySlw55JQKa WQI1Oz9ckdQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5bO0MXHYg

Thanks Guy, something like that might be a route I will go down

[Swann36]

I have 3 racks in a row, 2 Target Audio both from the 90s with glass shelves, one from a recording studio that was used for a Reel to Reel tape deck and they flank a Quadraspire rack for TT , however from a height and aesthetic point I keep looking at sideboard types

[rmcin626]

I have 3 racks in a row, 2 Target Audio both from the 90s with glass shelves, one from a recording studio that was used for a Reel to Reel tape deck and they flank a Quadraspire rack for TT , however from a height and aesthetic point I keep looking at sideboard types

The more I think about it the more I like the sideboard type idea

[antonio]

I like the sideboard idea, you can always isolate individual components. Have a look on ebay, there are usually some bargains to be had used, whether modern, traditional or antique.

[rmcin626]

I like the sideboard idea, you can always isolate individual components. Have a look on ebay, there are usually some bargains to be had used, whether modern, traditional or antique.

The more I think about the sideboard idea the more I like it, will have a good look around

[Jimbo]

I am using this sideboard and it works very well indeed. Very heavy especially as it is loaded with 200 albums which gives it a lot of mass and damping.

These can be picked up from £500 -£2000 if you want nice original piece but I think it looks nicer than a rack and certainly performs just as good. Only downside is if you have lots of equipment but then you just buy a longer one. Mine is quite small. They also have shelves inside which can be used to mount gear but I removed mine to enable me to fill it with vinyl.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616657261_9487eb880d_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2oay84T)991321B0-2FCB-4186-A226-C3355B91AC02 (https://flic.kr/p/2oay84T) by /url], on Flickr

If you want to see lots where this came from take a look at this website.

[url]https://www.vinterior.co/search?q=side%2520boards&dFR%5Byear_of_manufacture%5D%5B0%5D=1960s&dFR%5Byear_of_manufacture%5D%5B1%5D=1970s (https://www.flickr.com/photos/162281319@N03/)

[Jimbo]

This beast would take a lot of equipment.

https://www.vinterior.co/furniture/storage/sideboards/vintage-mid-century-uniflex-walnut-teak-sideboard-scandi-danish-retro-sku48449541

[rmcin626]

This beast would take a lot of equipment.

https://www.vinterior.co/furniture/storage/sideboards/vintage-mid-century-uniflex-walnut-teak-sideboard-scandi-danish-retro-sku48449541

It certainly would James

[rmcin626]

I am using this sideboard and it works very well indeed. Very heavy especially as it is loaded with 200 albums which gives it a lot of mass and damping.

These can be picked up from £500 -£2000 if you want nice original piece but I think it looks nicer than a rack and certainly performs just as good. Only downside is if you have lots of equipment but then you just buy a longer one. Mine is quite small. They also have shelves inside which can be used to mount gear but I removed mine to enable me to fill it with vinyl.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616657261_9487eb880d_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2oay84T)991321B0-2FCB-4186-A226-C3355B91AC02 (https://flic.kr/p/2oay84T) by /url], on Flickr

If you want to see lots where this came from take a look at this website.

[url]https://www.vinterior.co/search?q=side%2520boards&dFR%5Byear_of_manufacture%5D%5B0%5D=1960s&dFR%5Byear_of_manufacture%5D%5B1%5D=1970s (https://www.flickr.com/photos/162281319@N03/)

One or two that I like on that site , thanks James

[Pigmy Pony]

I am using this sideboard and it works very well indeed. Very heavy especially as it is loaded with 200 albums which gives it a lot of mass and damping.

These can be picked up from £500 -£2000 if you want nice original piece but I think it looks nicer than a rack and certainly performs just as good. Only downside is if you have lots of equipment but then you just buy a longer one. Mine is quite small. They also have shelves inside which can be used to mount gear but I removed mine to enable me to fill it with vinyl.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52616657261_9487eb880d_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2oay84T)991321B0-2FCB-4186-A226-C3355B91AC02 (https://flic.kr/p/2oay84T) by /url], on Flickr

If you want to see lots where this came from take a look at this website.

[url]https://www.vinterior.co/search?q=side%2520boards&dFR%5Byear_of_manufacture%5D%5B0%5D=1960s&dFR%5Byear_of_manufacture%5D%5B1%5D=1970s (https://www.flickr.com/photos/162281319@N03/)

Looks good James. I think equipment looks so much better atop such a thing than in shelves, and if I had the space I would go down that route. Although it could well be more prone to airborne vibrations, individual supports/isolation should take care of this as Dave (Antonio) says.

[rmcin626]

Looks good James. I think equipment looks so much better atop such a thing than in shelves, and if I had the space I would go down that route. Although it could well be more prone to airborne vibrations, individual supports/isolation should take care of this as Dave (Antonio) says.

i think if that is the route I go down, I will put everything on individual supports, depending on cost of course.

[Jimbo]

Looks good James. I think equipment looks so much better atop such a thing than in shelves, and if I had the space I would go down that route. Although it could well be more prone to airborne vibrations, individual supports/isolation should take care of this as Dave (Antonio) says.

I did not really want an obvious equipment rack in the room but to be fair some do look OK, however they actually worked out much more expensive than the sideboard I bought.

In terms of vibration, nothing gets through this sideboard into the turntable. My speaker is quite close and it is not a small beasty and kicks out a lot of deep bass and it has never once got through to the turntable. I have taken some other measures to be sure as you can see from the photo as the TT stands on a compact laminate platform which also stands on ISO Pods. The TT feet also have vibration control so it all adds up to zilch getting through!:)

[rmcin626]

I did not really want an obvious equipment rack in the room but to be fair some do look OK, however they actually worked out much more expensive than the sideboard I bought.

In terms of vibration, nothing gets through this sideboard into the turntable. My speaker is quite close and it is not a small beasty and kicks out a lot of deep bass and it has never once got through to the turntable. I have taken some other measures to be sure as you can see from the photo as the TT stands on a compact laminate platform which also stands on ISO Pods. The TT feet also have vibration control so it all adds up to zilch getting through!:)

At the moment looking more and more like a sideboard solution for me.

[Jimbo]

At the moment looking more and more like a sideboard solution for me.

If you buy vintage they are usually built like a tank!:)

[Pigmy Pony]

At the moment looking more and more like a sideboard solution for me.

Is this what your amp looks like Robin? If so, hiding it away inside a rack would be criminal... :doh:

https://www.analogueseduction.net/user/products/large/pathojeie01.jpg

[rmcin626]

Is this what your amp looks like Robin? If so, hiding it away inside a rack would be criminal... :doh:

https://www.analogueseduction.net/user/products/large/pathojeie01.jpg

Yes Steve, that’s my amp, no intention of hiding it away, love how it looks

[Discopants]

Black ravioli pads, very good isolation for you components.


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[rmcin626]

Black ravioli pads, very good isolation for you components.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

For the amp?

[Wakefield Turntables]

You can make your own rack yourself for less than £200 is your happy to drill some holes in some bamboo shelving and use threaded rod, nuts and bolts.

I've done this twice now. You can infinitely adjust the shelf position at any level and have a pretty well damped rack in the process.

[rmcin626]

You can make your own rack yourself for less than £200 is your happy to drill some holes in some bamboo shelving and use threaded rod, nuts and bolts.

I've done this twice now. You can infinitely adjust the shelf position at any level and have a pretty well damped rack in the process.

I decided not to go down the rack route, although the unit has still to be build as my new listening room is still to be erected, will be done over the next week or so, weather dependent.