Can a Hi-fi rack compromise a system's sound?

So long as it is level, rigid, doesn't vibrate, wobble or ring* and provides adequate ventilation then it should be fine. If it looks good too then that is a bonus.

*Speakers would need to be very close and very loud for that to occur.

I have never understood how spending hundreds of pounds on a rack (made from materials that probably cost a good deal less than a tenth of that) can possibly improve SQ.

To my mind as long as it's mounted on something that is totally secure, solid and stable, and out of the line of the speakers, then I don't get the point.

My CDP is housed on the bottom of a relatively cheap but totally solid AV unit bought from Argos. I'm not concerned about vibration as nothing or no one is moving when I'm listening to tunes, but I do have it mounted on a £12-50 granite chopping board just to give it a bit more isolation. Not an answer to your question, perhaps, but just my thoughts on the subject.

So you think the heavy glass shelves I currently have are probably well suited to the task?

I remember at one point placing a granite slab under the RPM4 but found that this gave worse results than just resting the turntable directly onto the MDF top shelf of the rack. Perhaps I could try placing the CD192 up there instead to compare its performance against being on the glass shelf to see if it gains in rhythmic response.

Some people (WHF included) certainly report differences based on what their kit is resting on, and you can spend a lot of money not only on racks but also isolation feet etc. It's not something I've looked into personally, as I'm very ahppy with my rack and have other areas to spend money on first. As you seem to be able to hear a difference with this sort of thing, I would suggest you do some experimentation and see what you think. Let us know how you get on! 

I've generally found Sorbothane feet to have a very positive effect on sound quality when used with a CD player. However, they work best when placed directly in contact with the base plate of the unit and not under the feet. This is because, the unit's own feet will provide a certain degree of isolation, so putting the two together causes a cancellation effect. For this reason, they shouldn't be used with a turntable with floating suspension.

best regards,

Steve Reichert - PR Manager, Armour Home

That is like saying adding another cushion makes the sofa hard again. One cushion cancels out the other, clearly.

There are differences between a really cheap rack or cabinet and a more expensive, purpose-built jobbie. However, like cables, they tend to be subtle ones.

The biggest problem with racks is you can't really demo one at home before buying. From that point, they have you by the short and curlies.

I agree. I went for something (very) substantial that I liked the look of and I could make look good with my kit. I don't have the funds to experiment with alternatives now - as you say it's 'buy before you try'. Some people report substantial differences with things like Black Ravioli (although even then I suspect any changes would be subtle at best) and I would be interested in trying these for myself some time in the future - but not right now

I bought my Blok rack purely on aesthetics and solidity.  If it helps to get the best out of the equipment then it is a bonus as far as I'm concerned.

I chose my rack purely because it matched the decor (and it looked nice, and still does BTW).

I'm glad to hear it has not deteriorated 

Please allow me to explain further: The vibrations which detract from the sonic performance and which the sorbothane can very effectively reduce, emanate from within the player itself. Sorbothane is reputed to convert kinetic energy (movement) and convert/dissipate it as heat. Putting it under the CD player's own feet dramatically reduces its ability to achieve this.

Best regards,

Steve Reichert - PR Manager, Armour Home

Hi Steve. It sounds as if I placed the sorbothane in the wrong place to be most effective. They certainly did rob the sound of some of its punch, which I assume is because the player's feet weren't able to provide a firm anchor between the unit and the glass shelf. In other words neither the feet nor the sorbothane pucks were able to work properly and consequently worsened the overall performance- The cancellation effect you mentioned earlier perhaps.

Depends what system you have. Mine is purely digital so would sound the same on a cardbaord box as on a fancy stand. Maybe some stands better than others with say a turntable or similar mechanical device but I think after that you are getting into cheap versus expensive cables territory.

I think one of the answers to a readers letter in latest issue was a suggestion to shell out over £1000 on an equipment rack which looked like some recycled railway sleepers. Oh well each to their own!

Reckon most go for aesthetics and something reasonably well built as well as, of course, much influence from her indoors!

We think you must have imagined that - or at least confused us with another mag. Certainly no reader advice in recent issues on anything like that topic/price...