Audio rack reinforcement?

[master_fo]

Hi,
I have standard VTI BL404 rack and would like to make it more sturdy against footfalls.
Are there any VTI BL404 owners out there with Wire Net for BL404 actually being screwed on to the back of BL404 shelves ? There are 2 threaded holes on the back of each metal shelf but it looks the Wire Net is actually more narrow than the space between them. Do you know if there are any metal rigid add-on parts out there that can be used to bolt BL404 together on the back using those threaded holes - and preferably also bolt it to the wall ?

 

[classic carl]

I have 3 VTI racks that I bought over 10 years ago. I've used them in various configurations as is without any problems. I don't see any reason to bolt them together. They aren't going anywhere.

From this as it was for several years...





To this new configuration that I built this summer after buying a new TV.

 

[Hyfi]

I have both a 404 with extra shelf and a 503.

With my heavy gear, they are stable. My TT is in the middle with the 13 inch shelf next.

You can also add to the tubes for mass if you want, I did not go thru the hassle.

 

[dr*audio]

Get 2 angle brackets and attach it to the wall in the top 2 corners. The floor vibrates a small amount but the shelf acts like a lever and the top moves a lot more than the bottom. Bracketing to the wall fixes it.

 

[cgutz]

The only fool proof solutions I have found for foot fall issues is to not have the turntable on a floor standing rack. Weight on the rack may help, but I never had it solve a floor that is moving. As stated above, attaching the rack to the wall may help.

I had an apartment in the 70's with a spongy floor, and mounted a shelf on the wall for the turntable.

Friends of mine suspended their tables from the ceiling.

 

[master_fo]

I have 3 VTI racks that I bought over 10 years ago. I've used them in various configurations as is without any problems. I don't see any reason to bolt them together. They aren't going anywhere.

From this as it was for several years...

View attachment 2371344

View attachment 2371346

To this new configuration that I built this summer after buying a new TV.

View attachment 2371345

Nice pics! My 4-shelves VTI rack does wiggle a little if you rock it front to back- try with yours. Much more stable sidewise. Mine is filled with sand and loaded with heavy equipment. I did not notice any issues with it with non-suspended turntables. Now with Empire, since levering effect adds this 5Hz peak, which is close to the resonance of the suspension (and, from other side, cartridge), it does require some additional damping on top (I can see you are using extra isolation platforms as well), and would benefit from bracketing to the wall.
I have described the effect in this thread : https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...nded-tt-shelf-isolation.975357/#post-15136707

 

[classic carl]

No sand in mine. No need. I don't use the spikes on the bottom pieces, and although the racks are on carpet and pad, there is a concrete floor underneath. The marble shelves under the turntables are there mostly for leveling purposes and because they look good. I can jump up and down in front of the system while playing a record without any issues. I can also thump the marble shelves without causing the stylus to jump. My racks are about 9 inch from the wall.

 

[master_fo]

No sand in mine. No need. I don't use the spikes on the bottom pieces, and although the racks are on carpet and pad, there is a concrete floor underneath. The marble shelves under the turntables are there mostly for leveling purposes and because they look good. I can jump up and down in front of the system while playing a record without any issues. I can also thump the marble shelves without causing the stylus to jump. My racks are about 9 inch from the wall.

Concrete floor is the key here. I can thump on my plinth with no problem, but the floor deflections and vibrations are being amplified by the rack's height.

 

[classic carl]

Concrete floor is the key here.

You betcha! I saw a pic of your rack in another thread. Looks nice, but hardwood floors, especially in an older building, can be a challenge with a turntable. I designed the house that I live in. There's a reason why this room has a concrete floor.

 

[master_fo]

Problem solved. I can jump around it (not too high, bit still )

.