An audio rack that really does make a difference.

I've had a Timbernation rack for years. Highly recommended, especially because you can get it customized to meet any requirement. Chris is great to work with.

I had Salamander and it worked well for a time.  Advancing to the Symposium Foundation Rack Ultra was light years beyond.  The Symposium product is built with audio function in mind, not just a support system for components.  Constrained layers work, and when combined with Rollerblock vibration drainage devices it becomes a synergistic system.  You can easily hear the difference.
Of course there are other very good equipment rack systems available.  I found the Symposium products to deliver real high fidelity performance, well beyond simply supporting my audio components, and at a reasonable price compared to some others.  Symposium also offers a rack that is several times the price, and it's awesome, but that is out of my budget.
Best to you on your quest.

It is the single biggest killer of sound staging and depth perspective, it makes a hiend sound into midfi, because there's no artist to place and see with your eyes.
If you can't go to the side, maybe the behind you, or as I did in one place that allowed it, the next room.

Not really a deal breaker in a well disigned room and proper speaker placement.  I have done it both ways and get great sound in either setup.  Shorter cables make a bigger difference in my experience.

Look at Symposium Foundation rack will be the best sounding rack for your money.

Hi hiendmmoe

I realize you want to get a new rack and there are some nice looking ones out there that are within your budget but most of them are designed mainly for looks, in the “affordable” price points and based on my previous experience they will rarely make a significant improvement is sound quality. 

One audiogoner recommended getting a set of the Critical Mass CS2 footers. I tried a set of those under my preamp and I was shocked at the improvement. The problem with going that route is they are stupid expensive and you’re only improving one component. Make no mistake, I was so impressed with the level of improvement that I wound up buying two more sets of them for my dac and transport (remember those). 

My suggestion would be to find a Wilson Audio dealer near you (if possible) and take home a set of their new isolation feet (I think they are called pedestals) and put them under your source or your preamp. I have yet to try them myself but my local dealer sells both the Critical Mass feet and the Wilson feet. One of his customers took home a set of the new Wilson feet to try and one week later traded in ALL of his Critical Mass footers (he had them under every component) and bought four sets of the Wilson footers claiming that they were noticeably better than the Critical Mass footers. Personally, I was so blown away with the Critical Mass feet that I find that claim hard to believe but if it’s true you better believe I’m going to try a set. The funniest thing about the Wilson feet is, they are less expensive than the Critical Mass feet. I think a set of the Wilson feet sell for $2250 for a set of three. All I can say is, I could not believe the improvement I heard from the Critical Mass feet. If the Wilson Pedestals turn out to be as good as that customer said they are, then that would e the way to go. Definitely worth a listen. 

My suggestion is geared towards the audiophile who is looking for the best possible sound quality and not someone who is just looking for a piece of furniture. 

Good luck
Scot