Good A/V Rack or Cabinet?

[WineOfTheVeins]

Greetings. I am in search of a nice av rack or cabinet that will hold my amp, cd player, etc. but can't seem to find one that is suitable. Any suggestions or recommendations? I like the idea of a cabinet style one that can close to keep it out of sight, secure, and minimal dust. Shelves have to be sturdy and preferably 19+ inches deep. This one stands out, but damn I don't want to spend that much on cheaply made furniture.

https://www.electronicsforless.ca/plateau-lsx-a-41-enclosed-a-v-cabinet-black-oak-5270.html

What do you guys/gals use? Pics would be nice too. Thanks in advance.

 

[BMXTRIX]

You can take almost any cabinet you want, like this one...

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/buena-vista-audio-cabinet-dbhc6988.html

...and modify it to put in rack rail if you want something a bit more awesome inside.

Middle Atlantic standard rack rail is relatively cheap. Under $100. Then you buy shelves which are $30 each (or so) for each of your components. You can get shelves in different depths to handle the gear more exactly if you want. You can get custom rackshelves for about $150 or so each if you are doing a high-end setup, or not. You can get blank panels to fill open areas, etc.

The main thing is ensuring the cabinet is tall enough, and well vented enough, to handle whatever you put in it. Typically having an open back to the cabinet is plenty of ventilation for consumer gear as long is it is not stacked directly on top of one another.

Less than 40 bucks for the rack rail (depending on length)...
https://www.amazon.com/Middle-Atlantic-Products-RRF-18-Spaces/dp/B0002CZVEQ

Shelves are around $30 or less depending...
https://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-Cantilever-Universal-Heavy-Duty/dp/B01C9KYUG8/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1519327076&sr=1-3&keywords=rack+shelf&dpID=41-04BFuC3L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Screws will be $13 or so...
https://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-equipment-enclosures-cabinets/dp/B01C9N7Z6M/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1519327123&sr=1-3&keywords=rack+screws&dpID=51d7KPHvRNL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

So, some pretty cool options if you go that route.

Attached is a photo of one I put in my wall that backs into our closet. Just rack rail, 2x4's, trim, and white paint to make that happen.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I love the VTI modular stands. I use them for audio racks, end tables, night stands.

The glass is extremely thick and heavy duty. Each shelf is rated for 200 LB (but total rack 300 LB).

Since they are modular, you can add/remove the shelves.

http://www.standsandmounts.com/VTITallAVRack-BL404BB-13.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=1o1&scid=scplp19304&sc_intid=19304&gclid=CjwKCAiA8bnUBRA-EiwAc0hZkzerNr5NfK6YNZzAxucequewNRnQlGWU-JDgv4LUZbOOQwsLkq6HPhoClOMQAvD_BwE

 

[WineOfTheVeins]

Thanks for the suggestions. I do kind of like the enclosed wooden cabinets the best, but the DIY rail and lumber method might be an option too. I'm kind of looking at having the cabinet as the centre-piece anyway, no TV equipment or anything else hooked up, just a section of the home with the cabinet in the middle, loudspeaker on either side, and some seating. If I went with the DIY or modular stand, I guess I could drape a blanket or something over it to keep dust away. There's a lot of venting on the top of the Anthem amp and don't want fluff bunnies building up inside.

BMX, wow that looks clean and an efficient use of space! Also keeps dust down to a minimum.

TechGuy, how stable is that unit? I can't help but stare at those toothpick points that plug into one another.

 

[afterlife2]

Looks like the one I used to have: https://www.amazon.com/Gibson-Living-Ashton-Multi-Level-Component/dp/B01B47NIHE/ref=pd_day0_196_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01B47NIHE&pd_rd_r=XSNW9ZSAZPEGSAT12205&pd_rd_w=kWiOO&pd_rd_wg=lf5v6&psc=1&refRID=XSNW9ZSAZPEGSAT12205

Cool look: https://www.amazon.com/Whalen-Furniture-AVTEC48-TC-Audio-48-Inch/dp/B00FSE7JZ2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1519337244&sr=8-3&keywords=stereo+rack&dpID=417nPUFurxL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
or
https://www.amazon.com/Nexera-101012-Jasper-Audio-Truffle/dp/B00797XP1S/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1519337304&sr=8-13&keywords=stereo+rack
or
https://www.amazon.com/Sonax-CR-2360-Enclosed-Component-Ravenwood/dp/B004LJ1JUQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1519337385&sr=1-2&keywords=stereo+rack&dpID=41dFHVKNS6L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
or lastly:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EGLHYS/ref=psdc_3236443011_t1_B004LJ1JUQ

 

[lovinthehd]

While it isn't enclosed, I saw someone who had made a rack by stacking Ikea Lack tables.
He modified the legs a bit for height/connecting them but pretty easy and inexpensive. Fairly sturdy, guy said he stood on one and he weighed 230 lbs.

 

[3db]

I recommend "zline" like unit below. I have one for my main system. The top shelf is 19" deep and lower ones are even deeper. The instructions are well written and its easy to put together. I use one myself.

 

[WineOfTheVeins]

While it isn't enclosed, I saw someone who had made a rack by stacking Ikea Lack tables.
He modified the legs a bit for height/connecting them but pretty easy and inexpensive. Fairly sturdy, guy said he stood on one and he weighed 230 lbs.

You know; I thought about IKEA as they have cheap furniture, that is a decent idea. Might as well pay a few bucks for pressboard instead of hundreds. Not sure if it suits me though.

3db, thanks for posting pictures of yours. That shelf looks pretty clean and sturdy. Deep shelves as you said are a must, no cords, I have 17 1/2" depth. Dust is one concern, the other is friends and my dog. I'd feel a lot more comfortable if they were all behind a door. We have little get togethers and DJ nights in that room, last thing I need is someone stumbling or spilling schmag on my stuff. They couldn't afford to replace it if they wanted to. {Truth}

I do enjoy working with my hands as I am a tradesman. Maybe I can make my own cabinet out of real wood. Maybe buy a couple sheets of G1S Fir or cabinet grade Birch, affix some hardware, stain it, lord helmet's my uncle..

 

[Darenwh]

I recommend "zline" like unit below. I have one for my main system. The top shelf is 19" deep and lower ones are even deeper. The instructions are well written and its easy to put together. I use one myself.

View attachment 23598 View attachment 23599

I picked one of those up at an estate sale for $29. Love it... Great shelf. Like new.

 

[Montucky]

Attached is a photo of one I put in my wall that backs into our closet. Just rack rail, 2x4's, trim, and white paint to make that happen.

 

[Chokurei]

If you are looking for a high quality piece of furniture to store your gear, take a look at Standout Designs. They are expensive, but are high quality, made in America and have unbelievably creative and useful features for cables etc. If your just looking for something to put in the corner for storage, these won't be the answer, but certainly worth a look!

 

[Mikado463]

Since I have tubes in my mix I prefer an open shelving, in my case one that I've added a couple hundred lbs of sand /lead shot mix into the legs.

 

[WineOfTheVeins]

If you are looking for a high quality piece of furniture to store your gear, take a look at Standout Designs. They are expensive, but are high quality, made in America and have unbelievably creative and useful features for cables etc. If your just looking for something to put in the corner for storage, these won't be the answer, but certainly worth a look!

I will take a look, thank you for the suggestion!

Thanks for the picture, Mikado. Good idea with adding weight into the legs, I would be very nervous otherwise. Where did you get that tube-style shelving?

 

[Mikado463]

Thanks for the picture, Mikado. Good idea with adding weight into the legs, I would be very nervous otherwise. Where did you get that tube-style shelving?

The shelving is not necessarily 'tube-style', rather it's just open shelving that is better suited for any type of equipment that requires proper ventilation. As to where I purchased it ......... it been so damn long I forgot, all I know is it's made in Canada, sorry about my old memory !

 

[BMXTRIX]

...Where did you get that tube-style shelving?

Modular AV racks are the thing to search for on Google. Often they are available with different sized shelving depending on the components you want to use.

A quick search and I got this unit:
http://www.standsandmounts.com/VTIBL304SeriesAVRack-BL304GC.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=1o5&scid=scplp19248&sc_intid=19248&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5t7UBRDaARIsAOreQtgu0McTPzM3fYV2fHWzKX1s0UTGye03kCm_RroZqsrzajGhSxsC-6UaAjTGEALw_wcB

It has options for shelves, and I'm sure options on colors.

 

[Mikado463]

Modular AV racks are the thing to search for on Google. Often they are available with different sized shelving depending on the components you want to use.

A quick search and I got this unit:
http://www.standsandmounts.com/VTIBL304SeriesAVRack-BL304GC.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=1o5&scid=scplp19248&sc_intid=19248&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5t7UBRDaARIsAOreQtgu0McTPzM3fYV2fHWzKX1s0UTGye03kCm_RroZqsrzajGhSxsC-6UaAjTGEALw_wcB

It has options for shelves, and I'm sure options on colors.

I'm using their products for my amp stands, I really like the triangle / three leg design, much easier to level.

 

[sterling shoote]

I have 3 spare CWD cabinets, like the two end cabinets shown here for sale. If you can make a trip to Louisville, KY you can have 'em for $175 each.

each. These are truly fine cabinets made for very heavy electronics, no sagging shelves.

 

[djembeman]

There are 2 types that I've found that I'm considering buying. Both are open shelves. I will need 2 to accommodate placing a center tower underneath my TV. Is MDF material better than the glass? There is another small closed one on Amazon, but am concerned about ventilation. These will replace my TV stand. 3 links below.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01HXN4L6U/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=A2T4RI5JPP2USG&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00797XP1S/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Pinnacle-1-Door-Audio-101915-Nexera/dp/B00A0I0CE6/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?crid=3IIWYFRY2RJAH&keywords=av+cabinet&qid=1551436117&s=gateway&sprefix=av+cabinet&sr=8-5