Anyone have experience with Decware audio racks?

[Dr.Willie]

Having a devil of a time finding a rmostly wood rack that does not have to be custom built. I have looked at those (Timbernation, etc), and may go that route but the Decware hardwood rack ( http://www.decware.com/newsite/zrack.htm ) caught my eye. Does anyone have any experience or know about these racks?
Thanks

 

[don philipe]

Decware is a fine company,I own one of their amps and speakers.Don't know about that rack,looks solid enough and probably well made but $800 clams seems a little pricey to me.You should build your own.

 

[prisoners]

After farting around with budget priced racks and repurposing other furniture for audio use I bit the bullet and bought a Salamander Synergy model 402. There's absolutely no comparison: it's extremely well built, very attractive, and is available in enough finishes and options to fit any decor.
Yes they're expensive, but I wanted a fully enclosed cabinet that would house and protect the gear that I've spent years acquiring. If I bought this from the beginning I would've saved money in the long run.

 

[Mister Pig]

After farting around with budget priced racks and repurposing other furniture for audio use I bit the bullet and bought a Salamander Synergy model 402. There's absolutely no comparison: it's extremely well built, very attractive, and is available in enough finishes and options to fit any decor.
Yes they're expensive, but I wanted a fully enclosed cabinet that would house and protect the gear that I've spent years acquiring. If I bought this from the beginning I would've saved money in the long run.

This year I bought a Salamander Designs Geneva credenza for my gear. It certainly is well made, substantial, protects my gear, and is attractive in my living room. No its not cheap. But if you shop carefully, often you can find a better price on some Salamander products. Your selection might be limited, but if price is a concern then there are some nicely built cabinets for the money.

This is a great deal for anyone who can get to it

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Salamander-...Game-Console-Cabinet-/182151773010?rmvSB=true

Regards
Mister Pig

 

[bimasta]

OP asked about Decware, but it seems Salamander stole the show. I found a Salamander Archetype stand on the street.


5 shelves, adjustable, perfect condition, not a scratch. Right in front of my place, like a gift from the Sky Fairy. Getting it up the stairs was a bitch but it's a great rack, used it for a year — till I got a very nice low and long Danish table, far more attractive.

My street is prolific — a year later I found a Salamander Synergy Twin 323 Cabinet.


The Sky Fairy wasn't so kind this time, it was a block away. Much too heavy to carry, so I had to disassemble it. No parking available, so I had to carry it all. An older model, not perfect condition — marred finish, missing shelves (photo is stock). Refurbishing will be easy but I haven't gotten round to it, it's still in pieces. Don't know what the two cost new, maybe $2K.

Mr Pig, your Geneva is gorgeous. They really upped their game aesthetically...

[NB: There is no Sky Fairy. I think the original owners were upgrading...]

 

[Dr.Willie]

Folks, here is a confounding issue, need to place turntable on top. I have a custom stained glass window , with lower trim beginning at 48.25 inches, Nd the window at 52 inches from floor. The window itself cannot be obscured with gear ( told this by wife quit, shall we say, strongly bg ). Hence, the rack needs to be of maximum size( lot of heavy gear to fit in it), allow for top turntable (Say 8 inches, plus platform, 2 inches or so), so 40 to 44 would be ideal height with at absolute minimum 3 shelve(4 better), adjustable, plus top shelf. I looked at the salamander sheves, especially the 40, available at audio advisors, and that is a possibility but would prefer wood, all ready built. Any one else with ideas? Btw, thank you for kindly responding above.

 

[bimasta]

Your wife is right: a stained glass window must not be obscured by a turntable. And this creates height problems.

But you ask for other ideas — a stained glass dustcover that matches...?

 

[Mister Pig]

Well it depends on how much length you can accommodate. My Salamander Genenva credenza has 6 bays, and has two turntables on top. The top of the tables are only at the 38 inch mark. The credenza itself is 24 inches tall, but 65 inches long.


Regards
Mister Pig

 

[Dr.Willie]

I can only go one component side due to furniture restraints, sigh!!

 

[Poultrygeist]

The Salamander Archetype is so versatile with those adjustable shelves and can be found for under $300. Don't know if it's a copy of the TNT Flexi but you wouldn't save that much with DIY.

 

[Poultrygeist]

Folks, here is a confounding issue, need to place turntable on top. I have a custom stained glass window , with lower trim beginning at 48.25 inches, Nd the window at 52 inches from floor. The window itself cannot be obscured with gear ( told this by wife quit, shall we say, strongly bg ). Hence, the rack needs to be of maximum size( lot of heavy gear to fit in it), allow for top turntable (Say 8 inches, plus platform, 2 inches or so), so 40 to 44 would be ideal height with at absolute minimum 3 shelve(4 better), adjustable, plus top shelf. I looked at the salamander sheves, especially the 40, available at audio advisors, and that is a possibility but would prefer wood, all ready built. Any one else with ideas? Btw, thank you for kindly responding above.

I'd look for a nice old tube console ( real wood with veneer ). Remove the tube amp and speakers and sell them for a profit on the bay. Then you've got a nice credenza for free.

 

[hjames]

I can only go one component side due to furniture restraints, sigh!!

A few years back I lucked into a Salamander Chameleon Sonoma 237 Triple-Width AV equipment cabinet. At a yard sale(!) It's 65" wide overall, and has got some scratches and chips ...but the price was superb - how could I say no? When I saw what Salamander wanted for their branded wheel kits, I drilled the legs myself and installed casters from Home Depot instead. Overall, they make nice pieces of Audio furniture. (I like the Mission/Bungalow design).

Anyway, 1 bay and 40" tall doesn't hold much.
What gear do you need to house, other than your turntable on the top?
For general audio use, you probably need one of their 2 bay units, like this linked one.
I know they are pricey, but all the gear and wires and such is hidden when not in use.

I can see the need to see the whole stained glass window, but you need to be firm about this compromise in width.
Your wife needs to relax that one constraint - if your rack has to be short, it needs to be at least 2 bays wide.
Basic laws of physics - that gear will need air space to breathe and stay cool.
You HAVE to have free (air) space between the components in the box.
Installing a (noisy) rack-mount fan is NOT an option for audio folks.


http://www.salamanderdesigns.com/products/details/151e7d73-320c-5e46-fcfb-5125e280a68c

Folks, here is a confounding issue, need to place turntable on top. I have a custom stained glass window , with lower trim beginning at 48.25 inches, Nd the window at 52 inches from floor. The window itself cannot be obscured with gear ( told this by wife quite, shall we say, strongly bg ). Hence, the rack needs to be of maximum size( lot of heavy gear to fit in it), allow for top turntable (Say 8 inches, plus platform, 2 inches or so), so 40 to 44 would be ideal height with at absolute minimum 3 shelve(4 better), adjustable, plus top shelf. I looked at the salamander sheves, especially the 40, available at audio advisors, and that is a possibility but would prefer wood, all ready built. Any one else with ideas? Btw, thank you for kindly responding above.