Equipment Rack Configuration..?


I'd be interested to hear from fellow Audiogoners whether the relative position of components on the equipment rack makes any difference in sound quality. For example, is it best to place digital components as far from the amp as possible to avoid electrical interference or does it really not matter. I use a five-shelf Sound Organization rack with the following component positions from bottom to top:

1. Odyssey Stratos Extreme
2. Audible Illusions Mod 3
3. Marantz ST 6000 Tuner
4. Ah Njoe Tjoeb 4000
5. Music Hall MMF 5
eslaudio
Ergonomics dictates my placement recommendations:

Top -- Music Hall MMF 5 (TT needs vertical clearance for access)

Second Shelf -- Marantz ST 6000 Tuner (as close as possible to eye level for tuning ease)

Third Shelf -- Audible Illusions Mod 3 (ease of access to control functions)

Fourth Shelf -- Ah Njoe Tjoeb 4000 (OK to "drop" disc into front loader drawer)

Bottom Shelf -- Odyssey Stratos Extreme (heaviest & least access required)
Assuming your list reads from bottom to top, it sounds like you're okay.
TT on top is a no-brainer, and amp on the bottom makes sense, as you hardly ever have to access it, plus it anchors your rack on the bottom and gives it a lower centre of gravity.
If your preamp has a remote, you're okay, but if it doesn't, you might want to switch it with the tuner so you don't have to bend over as much!! :-)
If you're getting the drift, it is about convenience here, not sound quality.
Sound quality will be determined more by the weight/mass of the component stand and whether or not it is fillable (dry sand, silica sand, etc) AND the proximity of the components to your speakers. Vibration will be more of an enemy than the proximity of your components in the stand, and that is a whole other subject!!
Thanks much for your responses. It sounds like there really isn't an 'electronic' basis for rack configuration and it esentially comes down to ergonomics. I recently replaced a remote controlled pre with the AI Mod 3 (which sadly has no remote but much better sound). Bending over to tweak the dual volume controls is quickly becoming a pain in the back, so I'll likely move that piece up in the rack.