LOW and WIDE Audio Racks, If you prefer them...

[fernan019]

Old Claritone console that I garbage picked. Lightly sanded and refinished to bring it closer to to the colour of the floors. Doesn't hold to much gear but it's sturdy and made it past my wife who didn't want a rack in the dining room. Thrift stores are stacked with these things. Speakers stands are just bar stools that she says have to go.


Hope this pic comes through cus I'm useless with a computer

 

[mashaffer]

I would prefer a wide (though not necessarily low) unit so that both (just two for the moment) turntables could be on top but alas I haven't the floor space for it. It is a pain to work a table in a tower rack.

mike

 

[mashaffer]

Very nice Fernan019. Are those Nova 6's I see? Ahh... the memories.

mike

 

[TheRed1]

What you're really looking for is a console. You may not want to admit it to yourself or your peers but that's really what you've described. They were sometimes call "low-boys" as opposed to the upright mono consoles that predominated before 1958. Their horizontal lines worked well with the contemporary, mid-century modern styling that had begun to become popular in this country in the 1950s. They fit right in with much of today's contemporary-styled furniture.

The modern versions sold euphemistically as "cabinets" or "shelving" and predominantly aimed at the home theater market are generally contemporary in styling, though there are some with 21st-century interpretations of "traditional" styling. They can be rather shockingly expensive for a decent quality piece. You might do well to re-purpose an old console which can often be found in good condition for $20 or less - often free for the taking. Construction quality varies considerably in old consoles but you're unlikely to find MDF and, while veneers are common, many are solid wood of very high quality. A little 0000 steel wool and some Howard's Restore-A-Finisher is all you typically need.

1960 Fisher Premiere (cherry)

1963 Japanese-made custom console (teak)

I also have this which I believe was from the 1980s or possibly the early 90s. It's teak veneer over MDF and weighs a ton. I'm thinking of getting rid of it to make room for another console but don't tell my wife.

 

[austi15]

Build one yourself, fairly easy and looks good for cheap.

I am eyeing those VTI's though. Sexy

 

[fernan019]

Very nice Fernan019. Are those Nova 6's I see? Ahh... the memories.

mike

Nova 7b's. They recently replaced a pair of PSB avantes. They are much easier to listen to. Those grill covers should give the console a run for its money in the "dust magnet" dept.

 

[MikeCh]

These racks are back on sale (I'm sure for a very limited time).
http://www.studiotech.com/products/component_racks/performance_series_ps-3/index.html

The legs are sand fillable and the top and bottom sheves will hold 200lbs with the middle shelf rated at 150lbs. Comes with spike feet and cups and also glider-type-feet. The top shelf is 20.5" deep with a usable depth on the lower two shelves being 17" which may or may not work for you.

 

[Art K.]

My HT rack on post #14 is a Studio Tech. Well built.

 

[wu6fiend]

This Ikea rack was exactly what I was looking for. Holds my beloved ES collection. Price was right too, less than $300.

 

[Goodwill_HiFi]

I like the adjustable wire shelving you can buy at Target.

I used a black Metro shelf for several years. It was a big one, tall, 18" deep, and 48" wide. I originally bought it when I lived in an apartment, and I thought it looked great there. When I bought a house, it just didn't look right. I think it's becasue the living-room in the house is smaller than what I had in the apartment. Still, I used it for several years. It really needed boards on top of the wires. I was always fighting with my components because the feet would only hit one wire at a time...... sometimes just barely. None of my stuff sat level on it. It's now in the kitchen where it belongs, with my microwave (which doesn't sit quite right on it either), pans, and food sitting on it.

 

[vinylover]

Here's what I use. Ikea Expedit. Mo crushing or sagging issues here. Sorry for the grainy picture.
Steve
PS by the way, I don't recommend putting you TT on top of a speaker. I just ran out of room

 

[markfx]

I find craigslist to be an invaluable resource for racks and stands.

 

[Raynald]

I find low/wide furniture very convinient for vintage use and plentiful in local classifieds. Here are mine:

1. Ikea Grevback. Wide enough for two oversized vintage Yamahas side by side, space undeneath for another unit or two and a very handy drawer for accessories and hiding messes. $45 used.

2. Ikea Leksvik. Solid wood, space for a couple of units on top and three shelves inside for 6+ units kept away from dust behind glass doors. Great for storage of units out of rotation or awaiting repair. $90 used.

3. Quest AV stand. Big, very solid. Loads of room. $20 used.

4. Structube Woodstock Media Stand. Beautiful piece, I really like these. Rated for an 88lb TV on top, tempered glass sheves. Lots of room for oversized pieces. $40 used.

 

[d-ray657]

I find low/wide furniture very convinient for vintage use and plentiful in local classifieds. Here are mine:

1. Ikea Grevback. Wide enough for two oversized vintage Yamahas side by side, space undeneath for another unit or two and a very handy drawer for accessories and hiding messes. $45 used.

2. Ikea Leksvik. Solid wood, space for a couple of units on top and three shelves inside for 6+ units kept away from dust behind glass doors. Great for storage of units out of rotation or awaiting repair. $90 used.

3. Quest AV stand. Big, very solid. Loads of room. $20 used.

4. Structube Woodstock Media Stand. Beautiful piece, I really like these. Rated for an 88lb TV on top, tempered glass sheves. Lots of room for oversized pieces. $40 used.

Nice looking audio racks, and nice looking gear on top.

Regards,

D-Ray

 

[Junknewbian]

Go Vintage Modern

For Low and Wide, you can't beat a real vintage-modern piece from Scandinavia. You can't beat it, you shouldn't bump it, you must walk softly any where near it, and you must tell it you love it.

Seriously if you like that style, it works, is cheap, and it can always be sold for what you paid. Sometimes they're not deep enough, but most times it works - just the 5-disc-carousels that are too deep. I just take off the back panel. And sometimes, well, they are not rickety, but mine definitely transfer some sway from my bouncy floor. And they look great.

 

[americankiwi]

I just picked this stand up from a SA store $30...its a Bell'o brand...works just great for some of my turntables...need to find some more now!...put my whole collection on them,..... i looked online they also make a 6 shelf unit too
PS, please dont look at my messy office...i've run out of room in here!!..lol

 

[whoaru99]

Just envision my livingroom floor and there you have it.

 

[OLDisGOLD]

This is one I built 20 years ago out of scrap wood. It started out high and after 2 moves & 2 transformations, this is how it looks in the mancave. I have plans for 2 mini-racks to set on both sides of the TV later this year.


http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=180954&d=1258946598

 

[DENNYDOG]

Here is a stand that I built a couple years ago. I made it out of 1 x 2" 14ga tubing. I couldn't find a decent quality rack for the gear I wanted to put in it so I made my own. The best part is the extra tube I added to mount the tv on. This gives room for my tt's which otherwise wouldn't fit on top.

 

[Coastsider]

Sanus makes some really nice and not too expensive racks and stands. I have the one at the below link in a modified form.

http://www.sanus.com/us/en/products/av-foundations/av-euro/EFAV-II

You can add additional shelves and get longer or shorter posts for between the shelves to customize for your specific situation, and they are 19"+ deep.