Racks

[griffo104]

I don't think glass sounds very good for a rack, but who am I... I like the Spider and Pagoda racks from Finite Elemente most, the Spider gives a lively sound with lots of speed, the Pagoda gives a very authorative sound with great bass control, but some loss of 'life'. With Linn, I would go for a lighter rack.

The glass is the thing that worries me slightly. I originally looked at the RA torlyte which is very light but too expensive.

I saw the Finite elemente stands at the hifi show a couple of years ago, they look perfect for what I want, but again, sadly, are too expensive.

At the moment the Linn Majik has a torlyte platform under it and the LK100 has 3 large wood oak cones.

My existing rack is an old Ixos Deadrock (granite I think) rack which has done sterling service over the years. It looks, and probably sounds, off the pace nowadays but will do for a second stand.

It just seems from an affordable point of view most stands in the price range are glass and metal.

 

[Garmt]

Good racks with incredible value-for-money are made by Creaktiv. It's German, so don't know if it's available in the UK. Solid Steel is also very good and they know about draining vibrational energy.

 

[michaelab]

My amps are Linn and from experience they don't tend to be too fussy about their placement.

Any well built amp shouldn't be fussy about placement.

Michael.

 

[wadia-miester]

Which ones? You talk in riddles...

Me? I use an IKEA PS with thick slabs of beech plywood on top of it and in the cupboard on which the equipment sits. Works fine for me!

Finite element my good friend, biggest music killer next to tact/DCS.
Extremely good quailty and looks. Just sonically inept in the music stakes.
I've had a few of these on various occasions, the result has always been the same.
Great for Audiofreaks customers I feel

maybe of interest

 

[T-bone Sanchez]

Just buy a rack thats you/other half likes the look of and suits the rooms. Job done.

 

[griffo104]

The hifi is in it's own room and is for me to listen to music and watch football - there is a small litlle Denon unit downstairs in the front room for normal background sounds.

Therefore looks, ugly thick cables and records taking over the floor space are allowed.

 

[The Devil]

I still don't totally understand how solid state amps can be affected by vibration but would be very happy if anyone out there can explain it.

1. Some audio circuits may be 'microphonic'. According to Naim, they are.

2. If the volume/balance pots are vibrating, then that might introduce distortion.

3. Cable plug/socket interfaces are highly likely to be 'microphonic'. If the 'contact patch' between pin & socket is varying with time because of vibrations in the amplifier, then that may introduce distortion.

It's my experience that amplifiers benefit from placement on a good stand.

 

[The Devil]

actually, you brought up the distortion from connector vibrations first.

Because it's relevant. Unlike traffic noise, which no-one can influence.

 

[griffo104]

1. Some audio circuits may be 'microphonic'. According to Naim, they are.

2. If the volume/balance pots are vibrating, then that might introduce distortion.

3. Cable plug/socket interfaces are highly likely to be 'microphonic'. If the 'contact patch' between pin & socket is varying with time because of vibrations in the amplifier, then that may introduce distortion.

It's my experience that amplifiers benefit from placement on a good stand.

oh, now I can understand it a bit more.

But is a Rack going to stop vibration being passed through the air ?

Surely vibration coming via the air is going to affect components regardless of whether they are on a rack ?

Or am I missing the point again ? I'm feeling a bit stupid here.

 

[The Devil]

No rack can "stop vibration being passed through the air". This would be a Bad Thing, as total silence would be the result. What some racks can do is to sink the vibrations away from the equipment.

It's up to you to decide which one(s) can do this.

 

[kennyk]

its up to you whether you reckon you could hear the difference, too.

I do not really see how a solid state circuit can be microphonic.
Unless it's inside a Neumann U87.

 

[The Devil]

its up to you whether you reckon you could hear the difference, too.

Obviously. If you hear no difference, there probably is no difference.

I do not really see how a solid state circuit can be microphonic.

Neither do I, but Naim think that they are. I suppose any wire moving/vibrating in a magnetic field, will induce a small current.

 

[kennyk]

that would be true for wires. however I'd expect to see a printed circuit board inside the case. additionally, the transformer should be so far away from the rest that the gubbins to minimize any possible magnetic field.

as far as microphony is concerned, a valve when tapped will amplify the tap. a power transistor will not behave in the same manner.

 

[aquapiranha]

For Griffo104..

Hi, I have been using a status 100 for a couple of years, it does the job and looks great at the same time. Not sure about it's "sonic abilities" I prefer to listen to the music, and leave such lunacy to the self satisfied "cognoscenti"....

 

[The Devil]

that would be true for wires. however I'd expect to see a printed circuit board inside the case. additionally, the transformer should be so far away from the rest that the gubbins to minimize any possible magnetic field.

Have a look inside a solid state preamp. The Earth has a magnetic field, too. Preamp music signals are of very small magnitude.

as far as microphony is concerned, a valve when tapped will amplify the tap. a power transistor will not behave in the same manner.

Vaying degrees of the same effect?

Who cares, anyway? You are a stand sceptic, I'm not, and I don't mind what your kit stands upon, oddly.

Cheers,

 

[The Devil]

Hi, I have been using a status 100 for a couple of years, it does the job and looks great at the same time. Not sure about it's "sonic abilities" I prefer to listen to the music, and leave such lunacy to the self satisfied "cognoscenti"....

That's good for you, another sceptic.

 

[aquapiranha]

That's good for you, another sceptic.

Yep, Hi The Devil, I am as you rightly state, a sceptic. However what ever makes you happy...

 

[The Devil]

Exactly right.

Enjoy.

 

[kennyk]

Have a look inside a solid state preamp.

No need, I built my own valve one.

The Earth has a magnetic field, too. Preamp music signals are of very small magnitude.

if this had any effect, then your cassettes and videos would all be blank by now.

Vaying degrees of the same effect?

tap both and report your findings. I don't think a transistor will amplifiy an external tap.

 

[The Devil]

No need, I built my own valve one.......if this had any effect, then your cassettes and videos would all be blank by now.........tap both and report your findings. I don't think a transistor will amplifiy an external tap.

You are right, and I am wrong, IOW. I don't see that any further discussion will serve any useful purpose, as both our minds are made up. Do whatever you like, with my blessing & support. I'll never hear the results.

Bye,