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Arrangement of components on rack

Now and again -- though not often enough, probably -- I spend some time unhooking and unplugging everything in my system, dusting the works, and then setting it all back up again. Makes me feel better, and it seems that the simple act of unplugging and then reattaching cables and power cords etc. improves the sound, too -- if only in my mind.

As I'm getting ready to do that now, I just had a thought: Is there a generally accepted arrangement for components sharing a rack? What I mean is: Are there components that ought be placed close together and those that should be better spaced out? My power amp sits between my speakers, with the rest of the gear over on the side wall.

I've got a turntable, so that takes care of what goes on the top shelf. The other components: A preamp, a separate phono preamp, a CD transport and DAC in one box, a Bluesound Node streamer.

With all else equal, should, say, the phono preamp and the preamp be near each other? Far apart? does it not matter? I've generally just kind of plunked things down and gone from there -- and haven't experienced too much trouble -- though some years back when I had the preamp (the main one, not the phono pre) up close to the turntable I had a bit of hum, so put the preamp on the bottom shelf and have continued to do so.

Still, as I got to wondering and am set to get to work on this soonish, I thought I'd ask if there's a generally accepted way of arranging things.

Thanks very much.

-- Howard

hodu
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
@millercarbon Thanks for the great advice!

You're welcome. A lot of it was stuff I read once upon a time long long ago, and at the time thought probably it would make little to no difference. To tell the truth, some of this stuff I was doing for years without ever really being sure it was worth doing at all.    

The last few years though as my system has improved it has become increasingly obvious all these things really do matter. Not matter like theoretically, matter like it is easy to hear. Some of this stuff I was as shocked as anyone to find it really does make a difference.  

Even now though no one thing is night and day, make or break. None of it is for everyone, or every situation. It is more like having tools in the tool belt. The more you have and know how to use, the better prepared you are for when the situation arises.
manogolf
68 posts
 
@mc 

I recall reading a post where you suggested a minimalist setup that included an integrated amp. Do you have that handy? I am unable to find it. 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
manogolf, I have always recommend a minimalist setup built around an integrated amp, with speakers in the mid-90dB sensitivity range. There’s probably at least a hundred posts on system building, how to budget and plan, etc. Sounds like you just bought a lot of stuff, and now are looking to optimize or maybe even upgrade what you have?
manogolf
68 posts
 
Yes MC I have read your advocacy for mid to high sensitivity ratings and understand the rationale. Several key mistake were made in my binge and admittedly one is speaker sensitivity.
Bargain minded was my plight instead of reason applying sensibility and I impulsed bought a speaker pair sensitive rated at 86 db. I would take a 50% loss on resale and am willing to take the beating. I hope for a 70% loss on other components but it could turn out worse. Setting a true north is the present plan.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Ouch! I feel your pain. Well that is all spilt milk under the bridge. What matters now is you are setting a new course. Maybe this can be like a case study or something in how to execute a turnaround save? 

I notice you don't have a system page. Neither did I for a long time. Until one day someone asked, and I took some pictures. Even though I am old school enough, never was on FB even, the whole thing felt sort of neurotically narcissistic. But hey, turns out to be one of the best things I ever did. Even though it is my own system I look at it a lot differently now, literally looking at those pictures helps me understand what is going on. 

So think of it as self-help. Don't have to be National Geographic quality, or even Architectural Digest, any old snapshots will do. Just so they show all the components, where they are, how they are connected. It really helps to make sense of things. People can write and write, when one photo can tell the story. 

Also you get the comments on your system page, and it can become sort of a log of what progress you are making. That anyway is my idea for now. And now the system is warmed up, my steak is digesting, time to go spin some vinyl. Cheers!
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