Audio Rack Selection


Putting together a new system and an upgraded audio rack will be part of the package. Would love to know your thoughts on the issue? Is there a true need to buy upper tier racks?

The rack will need to hold a McIntosh C2600 preamp, 2 monoblocks, power conditioner and a turntable. Flooring in the room is hardwood.

Would love your thoughts and recommendations.

bhaudiophile

Showing 3 responses by mijostyn

Bh, the rack is not as important as the floor it is on. The only sensitive item is the turntable. Regardless of what the mythology says the other components could care less what they are in or on.
To test your floor put an end table or small cabinet where you plan to put your rack. Place a 1/2 filled large glass of water on the table and walk around watching the water. You can also try jumping up and down to see what happens. If the water starts wiggling you have a problem. The solutions would be a wall shelf for the turntable or a well tunes suspended turntable like an SME, SOTA or Basis. 
It is better to keep your mono blocks behind the speakers with short speaker wires and long signal wires even if you do not have balanced connections.
After all this buy the rack you can afford that looks the nicest to you.

Mike 
In that case Geoff we all need to put out systems on the floor in the basement.
Bh, trust me on this one. The amps will do much better with short wires and the rest of your equipment will be happier without those big power supplies right under them. It will also allow you to use a shorter, smaller rack making room for the turntable's wall shelf above.
If you keep the speaker wires under 4 feet I have a few extra lengths of Kimber 8VS hanging around I would be happy to send you. You just pay the postage. If you want me to terminate them you will have to send me the terminations you want to use spades or bananas. This will give you the extra money for longer signal wires.  https://www.parts-express.com/cat/connectors-adapters/9
Are your ins and outs RCA or balanced?
millercarbon, when you are an old man with a bad back and poor eye site having your turntable at about shoulder height is a blessing (along with a good light)  A well made tall rack with a granite top will have no problem with this on concrete with any turntable and on any floor with a good suspended turntable.