AFFORDABLE HIGH VFM RACKS - Opinions Please...

Wolf-Garcias is right, use iso-blocks and save your money.
Quad racks use a series of curves that seem to work, cork and rubber is cheaper.
Personally, I wouldn't take a Mapleshade if it was free, whatever good that may be done is by the points and iso-blocks they tell you to use with them.

I relish agreement, even with an unnecessarily plural moniker. I appreciate groovy design, but extremely expensive racks are things I really doubt would pass a blind test if the components on the racks were individually isolated with the aforementioned bits of vibration soaking goo pads. And hey...where else can I say "vibration soaking goo pads?"

Zoethecus are great racks if you can find one used.

I have my non suspended Clearaudio Master Solution on a 4 shelf Zoethecus rack. You can rap on the wood posts and perimeter frames while playing records and nothing get's thru to the table. The shelves sit on isolation pods on metal corners brackets attached to the perimeter frames which are attached to the legs. I also have my Wadia CD player tube amp, preamp and phono stage on the other shelves. I paid $1250 for it years ago as a dealer demo.

These occasionally come up under $1000 depending on condition and number of shelves.
There is a three shelf for sale now for around $350 where the seller actually made granite selves for it. They look great but not sure they sound any better due to Granite ringing. I believe he also has the original mdf shelves so this is a good deal if someone only needs a three shelf stand.

I say go with the most solid rack you can with lots of mass. That way if you need to couple some components to the rack you can and if you need to isolate other components you can do that, too (using your goo pads). I decided to build a rack similar to a Walker but with enhancements. I have no scientific data to support my design, but I guarantee that many of the companies making audiophile racks have no scientific data to support their designs, either. I simply designed mine to fit two turntables on the top, have enough space for six other components, be extremely solid and massive, have good aesthetics, adjustable feet, and be relatively easy to build. The only thing I screwed up was the easy to build part!

What kind of floor is under the rack, and do you have any problems with footfalls and your non-suspended table?

Symposium Isis is the best sounding its not cheap though.