Rack Advice

[cbraver]

I'm moving into a new place this winter, and I don't want it to look like my college apartment anymore (with electronics just laying everywhere) so I'm planning on getting a 4-foot rack from Middle Atlantic. I'm probably going to get the Onkyo Pro, which just screws right in, and as will Crown amp and Monster voltage regulator (Florida power is really bad). The PS3 I can get a faceplate for from them.

I have a few questions, I was looking at going with the rather simple WRK 4-footer, which has plenty of spaces:

http://www.middleatlantic.com/enclosure/sa/wrksa.htm

What else are my options? Who else makes nice racks? Middle Atlantics website is horrible. I know they offer all kinds of nice looking fronts and such now, but it is really hard to look through their website.

 

[jamie2112]

Racks and stands has some cool stuff. A/V furniture has some ok looking stuff too....

 

[cbraver]

Looks like you guys are doing a little skim reading

"Screw it in Racks"

Not "Wife Friendly Audio Furniture"

 

[Haoleb]

If you decide to go rack mounted, The cost can really add up once you start adding in shelves for stuff that does not have rack ears, side panels, fans, perhaps the bottom with rollers etc. They look really good when done properly but at the same time, So do many other options.

 

[Adam]

StudioTech makes some nice looking component racks, and at least some of them (like the Ultra U-60) have optional rack mount systems.

 

[cbraver]

If you decide to go rack mounted, The cost can really add up once you start adding in shelves for stuff that does not have rack ears, side panels, fans, perhaps the bottom with rollers etc. They look really good when done properly but at the same time, So do many other options.

Nod. A lot of my gear has rack ears (everything except my PS3 and cable box), so, I'd only need faceplates for a few things. I am expecting it to be rather pricey though, but I'm only planning on getting a 4-ft one.

StudioTech makes some nice looking component racks, and at least some of them (like the Ultra U-60) have optional rack mount systems.

Looks like most of their cabinets you can add rack mounting, nice find adam! Although, it looks like they buy their rack mounting stuff from middle atlantic (I can even see the MA logo on the accessories they sell at StudioTech). It will be interesting to price out. Thanks.

 

[ivseenbetter]

Just curious...how expensive is rack mounted options? I had considered it and rejected it for a DIY project instead but I never really found out how much these things cost.

 

[bandphan]

Just curious...how expensive is rack mounted options? I had considered it and rejected it for a DIY project instead but I never really found out how much these things cost.

600-1200 depending on needs and options

 

[ivseenbetter]

600-1200 depending on needs and options

Thanks! That makes me feel even better about my DIY option.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Rack Advice = Bigger is always better....

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Rack Advice = Bigger is always better....

Yeah, that is a good advice. I bought my first rack and thought it was big "enough".

Then later learned that it was too small, depth and width. So I had to buy a bigger one.

The bigger the better.

My rack cost $400 from Racks and Stands.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The 3 sets I have bought in my life could not be returned.

 

[cbraver]

Rack Advice = Bigger is always better....

Haha, yeah, I'm sure I'll get one that is too small and end up having to buy a bigger one in the future, but a 44U one won't really work where I want to put it. 24U gives me basically 8U extra, which I'd probably get one shelf and one blank 4U panel. My 70-lb. voltage regulator will sit at the bottom luckily it has rack ears.

 

[bandphan]

http://ehpub.bm23.com/public/?q=preview_message&fn=Link&t=1&ssid=4241&id=il6xci682tug2kvm1exwcat4w8mxj&id2=cq8kod2qbyy3qqdgez12ata0y02nr. Ce pro has this article in this months mag

 

[jostenmeat]

Rack Advice = Bigger is always better....

Yeah, that is a good advice. I bought my first rack and thought it was big "enough".

My rack cost $400 from Racks and Stands.

The 3 sets I have bought in my life could not be returned.

This is why I'm sold on modular racks. I bought two Studio Tech modular racks, at $200 each, and split them up unevenly. A bigger one for the HT, and a smaller one for the stereo.

While it doesn't look as cool as rack mounting, its a lot cheaper and I guess perhaps with more ventilation. Future proofed too.

My NAD amp is 70 lbs as well, and on the bottom it goes.

My 4 pesos.

 

[Adam]

StudioTech makes extender units for their component cabinets, the U-22S EXT. At least, it gives you the option of going taller if you want.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Oh, I think I was talking about a different kind of RACK

This is why I'm sold on modular racks. I bought two Studio Tech modular racks, at $200 each, and split them up unevenly. A bigger one for the HT, and a smaller one for the stereo.

While it doesn't look as cool as rack mounting, its a lot cheaper and I guess perhaps with more ventilation. Future proofed too.

My NAD amp is 70 lbs as well, and on the bottom it goes.

My 4 pesos.

 

[Adam]

The 3 sets I have bought in my life could not be returned.

Oh, I think I was talking about a different kind of RACK

You BASTARD!!! I finally settled down with a beer, and then I just about spit it all over the place.

 

[BrawlingBigJim]

I went with this middle atlantic rack setup http://www.middleatlantic.com/enclosure/knock/rkbrk.htm

BRK20 with one amp/rec/ shelf and one generic shelf for my HDDVD, BR, PVR and XBOX360. with my surroung back speakers sitting on the bottom. I have the rack mounted in the back wall of my theater room. The rack is great and would look great sitting on the ground as well (black woodgrain laminate) The whole setup only cost me $230 CDN! plus some labour to install it in the wall of course.

I promised some pictures of my completed room once I had finished it, and it is finally done! so I will try to get them up before I leave for holidays on Sunday. If I don't have time before I go I will get them up once I get back.

Cheers all!