Component Rack/Tv Stand Suggestions

[avaserfi]

So I bought a TV stand long ago and it was great until I started getting components. Now the thing is packed full and my electronics don't have room to breath properly and I worry about them especially from prolonged use, my receiver has 1/4" on each side and gets pretty warm from watching a movie even with the fan assembly I made for it. Planning my next purchase to be a TV stand. I have a buyer lined up for mine so I am going to be putting that money towards it and by the time school starts should be able to have enough to get a decent rack. I need the unit to be able to hold my Sharp 42" LCD (mounting isn't an option in the apartment) with the center channel sitting in front of the Sharp. It also needs room for my ps3, wii, receiver, oppo and belkin PF60 as well as room to let them breath and some for possible upgrades. I was hoping to stay below 300 bucks including shipping/taxes and am very open to suggestions.

I was liking the looks of the studiotech PS-3 and the HF-3 but am slightly wary of putting my center channel in the console like the HF-3 suggests due to acoustic reasons so I would just leave it on top unless someone can chime in to the opposite effect.

Like I said I am open to suggestions and comments so just let me know if there are any other brands or models I should check out that can get the job done well.

Thanks

 

[Adam]

I'll be getting a new rack myself soon, and I'm almost certain that it will be a Studiotech item. I'm looking at the Ultra U-22D, but I've also looked into the HF series. They certainly do look nice, and they seem to have good features for the money.

My preference out of the HF or PF series is the HF series. That's mostly for aesthetics, but I also like how the HF units are modular.

 

[avaserfi]

That was what I was thinking (HF), plus higher WAF, I also like the idea of "hiding" the center channel away but I think the sound quality cost might be too high. Seems like keeping the center in a chamber like that wouldn't be too good...

 

[zildjian]

I've really been happy with the Bell'O pieces I've had (two A/V racks and two speaker stands), but you can get into bigger money than $300, but if you shop around, you can get a Bell'O plasma & component stand starting around $300.

 

[MDS]

The HF-3 appears to have better shelf spacing of 9" and 7". You want some room on top for the receiver to breathe although it's practically impossible to provide what the manufacturer recommends; eg Onkyo recommends 8" on top and 4" on both sides for the 805.

I think if you have an open rack like these or adequate ventilation to the rear you can get away with slightly less vertical spacing. I've only had my custom built wall unit for one day but already I think I went overboard by having 11" spacing for the shelf for the receiver. That would leave 4" or more on top for airflow but since there is a large elliptical cutout in the back that should actually be sufficient to vent the heat. I should have made the shelf 9 or 9.5 - similar to the Studio Tech HF-3.

IMO, the HF3 would be slightly better than the PS-3.

 

[avaserfi]

Anyone have any thoughts on placement of the center channel in the area "designed" for it or will that location create to many reflections and just be a bad idea since it will be boxed up?

 

[BMXTRIX]

If you haven't yet, take a look at www.racksandstands.com - They have a phenomenal list of products available that are worth checking out.

In my opinion, you may want to consider diversifying your setup. Think about it - why the heck are you sticking all your components right under your display? Why not get a rack for your display that is nice, then put your components in a rack, or multiple racks, that allow for more convenience and proper air flow? In my home, and in my last apartment, I had a full size Middle Atlantic equipment rack. I put this in a different room than my projector and plasma, and then I ran wiring in the corners to the displays. Worked great. In the new house, all the wiring is behind walls. The rack lives in the basement, and I maintain a local rack in the family room which feeds the basement, then back upstairs for audio/video delivery.

Get the gear away from the TV - treat it like they are components which can actually be separated. Spread things out a bit, and utilize HDMI if you can for a single cable run at the digital level between your receiver and the display.

That's probably the biggest thing I am missing and want - I want a 8x8 HDMI matrix switcher so I can run a single cable to half a dozen HD locations in my home and feed everything anywhere, with digital audio quality.

 

[avaserfi]

I have thought about seperating everything, but the price of doing so is rather prohibitive right now, also in my current apartment there would be no place for me to keep a rack with just components as it is already crammed for space with my current set up. That was my original idea until I looked at the price and realized I don't have room for it.

 

[j_garcia]

What exactly is the price range? racksandstands is a good place, and www.audioadvisor also has some good deals and a similar selection.

 

[avaserfi]

What exactly is the price range? racksandstands is a good place, and www.audioadvisor also has some good deals and a similar selection.

I was hoping for around 300 or less. 250 seems to be a good point with the HF-3 from studiotech.

 

[j_garcia]

Well, I don't think you will find anything that is much better in that price range. My VTI was something like $230 with free shipping from racks&stands. Maybe something like this:

http://www.racksandstands.com/VTI-BL503-VI1000.html

If you flip it around, the center can be placed in the middle.

 

[highfihoney]

Well, I don't think you will find anything that is much better in that price range. My VTI was something like $230 with free shipping from racks&stands. Maybe something like this:

http://www.racksandstands.com/VTI-BL503-VI1000.html

If you flip it around, the center can be placed in the middle.

Im with Jgarcia on the VTI racks,i own the model shown in the pic he posted & its an excellent stand,it will hold as much weight as you would ever put on it & they sell single shelves & shelves with different finishes if you should want to change the look or add components.

When i bought mine it came totally destroyed,THANKS FEDEX the box had tire tracks on it from a forklift.

 

[hyghwayman]

TV and A/V Stands

So I bought a TV stand long ago and it was great until I started getting components. Now the thing is packed full and my electronics don't have room to breath properly and I worry about them especially from prolonged use, my receiver has 1/4" on each side and gets pretty warm from watching a movie even with the fan assembly I made for it. Planning my next purchase to be a TV stand. I have a buyer lined up for mine so I am going to be putting that money towards it and by the time school starts should be able to have enough to get a decent rack. I need the unit to be able to hold my Sharp 42" LCD (mounting isn't an option in the apartment) with the center channel sitting in front of the Sharp. It also needs room for my ps3, wii, receiver, oppo and belkin PF60 as well as room to let them breath and some for possible upgrades. I was hoping to stay below 300 bucks including shipping/taxes and am very open to suggestions.

I was liking the looks of the studiotech PS-3 and the HF-3 but am slightly wary of putting my center channel in the console like the HF-3 suggests due to acoustic reasons so I would just leave it on top unless someone can chime in to the opposite effect.

Like I said I am open to suggestions and comments so just let me know if there are any other brands or models I should check out that can get the job done well.

Thanks

Here is what I'm using for my gear. Found at WalMart for a great price.

The middle shelf under TV is 18"(W) & 17"(D)

 

[avaserfi]

I guess I should have updated this thread. I ended up getting a HF-3 from studiotech. They shipped it quickly and their customer service was amazing. I got the item slightly damaged and called them, they asked for a picture which I emailed and I got the replacement part the next day no arguments or questions, they shipped it and it was no small piece a whole shelf was damaged.

I would strongly recommend Studiotech their CS is great along with their products.

 

[hyghwayman]

I guess I should have updated this thread. I ended up getting a HF-3 from studiotech. They shipped it quickly and their customer service was amazing. I got the item slightly damaged and called them, they asked for a picture which I emailed and I got the replacement part the next day no arguments or questions, they shipped it and it was no small piece a whole shelf was damaged.

I would strongly recommend Studiotech their CS is great along with their products.

Hey Avaserfi,

NP, do you have any pictures of your new Stand w/ your gear?

 

[avaserfi]

Hey Avaserfi,

NP, do you have any pictures of your new Stand w/ your gear?

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=299343&postcount=44

There you go.

 

[hyghwayman]

Thanks,

Nice HT system! I like your wire management idea too
How many speakers do you have in that room ?

 

[avaserfi]

Thanks,

Nice HT system! I like your wire management idea too
How many speakers do you have in that room ?

Its just a 7.1 set up. Nothing too special, but I love it .

 

[Tomorrow]

Great looking setup. Congrats, avaserfi.

I know this is all water under the dam, but for some reason I missed this thread. I just wanted to tell you that I don't see any problem at all with the placement of the CC in the rack. If it's a rear-ported speaker, there may be some minor issues. But basically bring the CC to the front of the unit and match the placement of the mains to it. You should have no added acoustical problems.

 

[avaserfi]

Great looking setup. Congrats, avaserfi.

I know this is all water under the dam, but for some reason I missed this thread. I just wanted to tell you that I don't see any problem at all with the placement of the CC in the rack. If it's a rear-ported speaker, there may be some minor issues. But basically bring the CC to the front of the unit and match the placement of the mains to it. You should have no added acoustical problems.

That was the original plan when I ordered the stand, but when I finally got everythin I found out that my center was a little to wide to fit in there with all my gear! It really wasn't a big deal though, I have the center sitting as it is in the pics on top of the stand. The tv just clears it comfortably .