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
I have mostly Mac equipment and because of their size, I chose to go with Solid Steel audio racks.  Look into them.
If you are tight on space perhaps something like the Quadraspire SVT will work https://quadraspire.co.uk/svt.html . Reasonably priced as well and sometimes you can find used on hifishark.
Trying to give specific answers to turntable rack problems is foolish at best. There's just way too many variables in floors, walls, and turntables. Much better to approach the problem with general information that will help you figure out your own solution to your own particular circumstance.

A tall wood rack with a table on top is a lousy choice pretty much anywhere other than a solid concrete floor. Even then I would balk.

Lower is better because the higher the more the same vibration at the base is amplified at the top. Massive is better because if its massive enough it becomes pretty much impossible to move at anything other than subsonic frequency.
The rack is just one part of the solution. There is also the shelf, and the distribution of mass in the total rack/shelf/turntable system. So for example a tall wood rack might work okay if the shelf on top is so massive it forces the rocking motion down into a frequency range where its not so much of a problem.
You can see from all the above that what we are talking about really is tuning the entire system to filter vibrations we don't want and pass or transfer vibrations into a range where they're more benign.
Not sure if this will work in your situation, but my floor is wood and my table does rock and would never pass the water in a cup test, yet my playback is exemplary with fantastic bass and superb imaging, all because the rack I built satisfies all the above conditions.
It also costs a lot less than shipping alone will run for one of those sweet looking but not so good working wood racks.https://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp6_pics/C_miller_web/TTstand_1.jpg
@bhaudiophile  

Are there any other quality racks out there at better price points?

I think I found myself roughly in your budget space when searching for a decent rack.  I couldn't be happier with the Symposium Acoustics Foundation rack.  http://www.symposiumusa.com/Foundation.html 

I have my TT placed on the top shelf supported by a carbon fiber BDR Shelf for Source propped up by BDR cones and pads.  The rack is rock solid and performs flawlessly in my room.Â