Hello all;

I just got a new power amp, and it won't fit in my rack. Therefore, unless I want to spend eternity with a power amp on my pergo floor, I am going to have to get a new rack. Surely someone here has already gone through this, and can share their experience.

I don't want to spend much more than $250. The rack has to be able to accommodate a 37 lb. receiver and a 44 lb. amp, each of which are about 18 inches deep (plus an inch or 2 to allow for connections). I need at least 6 shelves. Cable management a plus but not absolutely necessary. Some wood or woodlike substance in it would satisfy the WAF.

So far the best looking thing I have found is a Planet 3 rack (model PTT 22021). anybody have experience with it? Anybody have other suggestions? I have not the time or talent for DIY.

Mark

Hi Mark,

This site will give you a decent selection to look through.

Maybe it's just my computer background talking (ie, REAL racks...;-), but glass shelves scare the crap out of me. I mean, sure, glass is strong, but it's also fragile. Otherwise, it looks nice...

The rack in question has 2 wood shelves, though it's not obvious from the picture.

Mark

Heh, shows what I know...

Why afraid kc? Droping a server on a glass shelf does not give you a warm fuzzy? :-) I wonder if a couple of 220v UPCs would fit...

jr

You know, reading that literally made me wince?

his post or the signature quote?

The post. But I did have to look up what the signature was last night. Just got too curious.

I've had good results with Z-Line Designs products, available at Circuit City. They're mainly metal and glass, so you'd have to want that look. My HDTV and components are mounted on this TV stand: http://electronics-finder.com/Electronics/Video/TVStands/82360.asp

In mine, the shelves are tempered glass and are supported underneath by metal rods. It's stronger than it looks.

However all the equipment racks I see are only four shelves. You could possibly double-stack some components. While I wouldn't put something on top of my receiver, my SACD player has no cooling vents, so I put my lightweight Bravo D1 DVD player on top of that.

Here are a couple:

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&catoid=-9787&qp=0&oid=69532
http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&catoid=-9787&qp=0&oid=69531

I know this doesn't fit your requirement for wood, but for anyone who wants a more metal/tech look (in black or chrome), try the modular steel shelving such as the InterMetro line.

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=InterMetro&ei=UTF-8&fr=fp-tab-web-t&cop=mss&tab=

It is rock-solid, very modular and changeable, easy to assemble, inexpensive and good-looking. I built a tall AV rack recently and put their large casters on the bottom, which make it very easy to pull the rack out to get at the cabling.

Nothing like a nice rack.





forgive me ...someone had to say it

Thanks, Ford. I was resisting, but I feel a lot better now.

ditto

I was wondering why no one had suggested a silicone rack.

ahh yes, the man is on a roll today!

Not to interrupt your very erudite discussion of fine racks, but my co-worker just started a small business that allows her to purchase furniture wholesale. I've pretty much furnished my house through her, including a new A/V rack. My new rack is stunning (no lewd comments about my man boobs, please)!!!
If anyone is interested, drop me a line and I'll give you her e-mail. She's not interested in making big bucks out of this, but it seems like a win-win after seeing what we're paying for these things retail.

Hi Big Will! I saw the rack when I visited and really liked it, but I don't see any link to the picture.

Workin' on it, 2x6. I'm technologically challenged AND changing lots of diapers.

Thanks to the group for all your suggestions. I went with the Planet 3 rack I was originally considering. After wrestling the beast (94 lbs!) home in my Mustang convertable Friday noght, I assembled it Saturday morning. One side support didn't fit correctly, and I noticed the unit didn't have rollers, so I went to Home Depot. There I got a plane (to shave some particle board of the side support so it would fit), and some rollers. While browsing, I came upon these little plastic deals that you can stick on the bottom so you can move furniture without the need for wheels. I bought them as well (a set of 4 about 3 in x 3/4 in). Sorry, can't remember what they're called, but they work great as long as your floor is clean.

The rest of assembly went OK. The instructions say that the tempered glass shelves can hold up to 35 lbs., but did not specifically state how much the particle board shelves can hold. I'm assuming it's a bit more, and I feel safe with my 44 lbb. power amp on the bottom shelf.

Rewiring the system took longer than anything else. At Home Depot I got some zip ties in various sizes, and used them to bundle cables going in the same general direction, and to tie cables to the center post, thus keeping them out of sight. This is one of the smartest things I have ever done...the cable situation is much better than it was before.

It looks great, and the cables are very unobtrusive, though not entirely invisible. I took some pictures, which I will post later.

Mark

Mark,

Those little plastic deals are actually coated in teflon and are called Magic Sliders or Magic Gliders, depending on where you get them. They come in a variety of sizes. They are incredible for making heavy things mobile. The furniture really does glide.

Prior to going with my HT setup last year, I had a VERY large (6' x 6') solid oak Entertainment center with doors & drawers. The usual components and a 32" Sony TV were inside the beast. The word heavy does not come close.

Slid some of the 5" Sliders under each corner and my wife could move it herself. Based on the experience, when I had my custom HT stand made, again from solid oak, I designed three sets of feet into the bottom of the stand with 1 1/2" Sliders. Incredibly easy to pull the stand out and work behind it.

Just wanted to share. By the way, why don't we have a Tweaks section, or at least a Sticky for tweaks in the Technical Question section? I love coming up with stuff for Amie to think about .

Of course, if you live in earthquake country and have those sliders installed, you may wake up one morning to find the EC in your bedroom.

Mhorgel -
In your search, did you come up with any similar products in lighter woods (maybe "Mansfield Beech) that had fewer shelves? I've only got 4 components (DVD, CD, STB, AVR) but need some space for the AVR since it's 20" deep and weighs in at 53lbs. Also, do you have some sort of fan to cool the amp & AVR? My H/K 8000 gets rather warm and I fear it shutting down if on the bottom of a rack.
Any leads would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
KOSMOS

HA! Moving EC, just like the old football game...

Electric Football

No. I didn't come across anything like that. Both my AVR and Amp have plenty of room around them (see my pictures here , and they run quite cool. I very rarely listen at high volumes for long periods.

Mark

Horgel,
What kind of TV is that?

It's a Hitachi 51GWX20B. I've had it professionally calibrated, and I love it.


Mark

Don't tell my wife

What product lines does your co-worker have access to?

Y'know, I have no idea. They come from China and she (I) picks them up in LA. From the catalog that I saw there were four "techno" A/V rack styles. Two featured maple (?) and two high gloss black laquer, in addition to silver metal uprights and glass or wood shelves. The black ones - one had square metal posts and the other round (that's what I bought). The maples were square posts with wood accents and an oddly shaped tapered version that I saw at the warehouse. Kind of an "A" shape except the back side was completely vertical with the front sloping back to the rear - resulting in shelves of decreasing depth as the rack ascends. I'm trying to fix my scanner so maybe I can post some pics soon.