OK - now total confusion has set in


Thanks to the many (and varied) responses to my request for rack advice - (and reading the other numerous threads on the subject) - I have become a 'mush mellon' if you will - Totally Confused!

If I get this correct....certain components require hard,solid shelves ranging from butcher block to granite and marble - others require lighter materials such as birch plywood or Nueance shelves. Some shelves require spikes point up, some spikes point down, others various forms of rubber, plastic, foam, air filled, oil filled - whatever - feet.

Just when I thought I might have a grip on the situation - and decided to have a rack made of Cherry (a very open design with no side or back pannels just Cherry styles and rails - as they are called in the furniture/cabinet business) and marble shelves 'all' supported by AudioPrism
IsoBearings Isolation Globes - I think I am making a huge mistake that will make my new babys sound 'dead'.

At this point - cinder blocks and a 2X6 is looking promising! ;)

Any comments gentlemen and ladies?

Erik
ndmaitre
I understand mostly all of what has been said. I guess my fear here is making a rather large and expensive mistake. From what I described above - do any of you see any glaring bombs which I should change prior to construction - Cherry wood for rails/styles, marble for floating shelves, isolation by AudioPrism Globes ???

Just for reference - I don't know if my floor is solid or floating. The listening room is on the second floor of a large victorian built in 1850 so... yeah the floor is not on the ground but it sure feels solid! ;)

Erik
If you live on a solid concrete slab weighing several tons, how does vibration creep in and cause "resonant peaks, or smear, and induce a persistent coloration"??? How many people operate a jackhammer or front-end loader while listening to their system?

CAVEAT EMPTOR!
erik see if you can find a copy of bob harley's book the complete guide to high end audio.i beleive it will help you immensely.oh and i own a biily bags rack which i love.sometimes it ends up being more of a hindrance than a help when there are so many options.best of luck tim2x
Hey Doc, some people actually listen to music at "volume". Not everyone plays "genteel" music at "mouse level". As such, air-born energy is transmitted into everything within the room.

As to Ndmaitre's question, i would loose the marble and build an all wood rack. Take a gander at some of the other "rack" based threads in the archive. I know that Ken aka Caterham 1700 just posted some info about recommended woods for shelving. I would take those suggestions into serious consideration.

Either way, listen to what your head and heart tell you, as only that will make you happy. You might have to change things along the way, but there is a LOT to be said for first hand experience and learning the "hard way". Sean
>
Yes Doc - and wire is wire - and all amplifiers sound the same - and CDs are perfect - Yes Doc, we know.