Rack System? Or have I gone too far...

[Josh]

I recently added an amplifier to my set-up, all part of the eventual shift towards a pre-pro set-up. Unfortunately (or not), I have now one component too many for my four-shelf A/V stand. So, as I'm trying to spend wisely (buying equipment that can be used when I eventually buy a house and build a grand theater), I immediately thought of buying a Rack System, similar to this:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=262-636

The first question that comes to mind, is if I've gone too far? This is obvious overkill, but I could use any equipment in future home theater, and it does break down so moving it wouldn't be a problem. But, is it worth the money or should I just build something myself for a whole lot cheaper (new power tools!)?

Second question, is who is a good manufacturer of these systems. I want something that isn't going to fall over ?

[aheintz]

Middle Atlantic is a good company I have some of their racks for my home network. A couple of installers that I know also use them as well. As for going to far I don't you can ever go that way in Home Theatre

[liquidice]

from an aesthetics point of view, I think a large rack system would look a little crazy in your condo. I would hold off on buying a rack until you had the new house/theater room, and then you'll know where you can hide the thing. Out in the open is never pretty for one of those. I'm sure you might find a bigger rack for cheap somewhere which you get you by for now till you move. You should also be able to stack something on top of your Panamax. I've never had one, but the H15 I have is cool to the touch, meaning I could easily put something on top of it if I had to, and many other people do just that. You could also probably add another component under you tv if you shifted some things around. Your already aware of your wire situation, so we won't talk about that...

[Woody]

Middle Atlantic is excellent. You can pretty much do ANYTHING you want with one of their racks, depending on the configuration. Fans, shelves, power organization, casters, doors (glass, wood, or metal), rack facings, rack sides, slide-out, stationary, locks, wire management, drawers, etc, etc, etc.

The problem is that not only do you buy the part you linked, but you need to buy shelves, custom faceplates (potentially), lacing bars (potentially), etc, and then you have to find a place for it to live.

[Josh]

Originally Posted by liquidice

Your already aware of your wire situation, so we won't talk about that...

A constant work in progress... maybe I should invest in some cable organizers before I address the stand issue?

Originally Posted by aheintz

As for going to far I don't you can ever go that way in Home Theatre

Sound advise (excuse the pun).

Originally Posted by Woody

Middle Atlantic is excellent. You can pretty much do ANYTHING you want with one of their racks, depending on the configuration. Fans, shelves, power organization, casters, doors (glass, wood, or metal), rack facings, rack sides, slide-out, stationary, locks, wire management, drawers, etc, etc, etc.

The problem is that not only do you buy the part you linked, but you need to buy shelves, custom faceplates (potentially), lacing bars (potentially), etc, and then you have to find a place for it to live.

Yeah, it was just a thought. Once you start adding all that stuff, you start really adding cash to the system.

What about one of the laminate ones? Seems cheaper and wouldn't have to buy sides.

Edit: Like this:

http://www.rackmounts.com/asp/show_d...s=1&sku=DF3592

[Uniquely]

I would just stack the satellite box on top of the Panny blu-ray player.

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by aheintz

As for going to far I don't you can ever go that way in Home Theatre

Originally Posted by Woody

Middle Atlantic is excellent. You can pretty much do ANYTHING you want with one of their racks, depending on the configuration. Fans, shelves, power organization, casters, doors (glass, wood, or metal), rack facings, rack sides, slide-out, stationary, locks, wire management, drawers, etc, etc, etc.

The problem is that not only do you buy the part you linked, but you need to buy shelves, custom faceplates (potentially), lacing bars (potentially), etc, and then you have to find a place for it to live.

I agree with both aheintz & Woody. I found vertical(small footprint) was the best route to go in my 11' x 11.5' bedroom.

Started with this and ran out of space. Also wasn't happy with the wire management & thermal management :


Switched to this about one & a half years ago:




Current appearance( living comfortably in the corner ):



Two months ago I purchased a Middle Atlantic 16 space laminated rack to use with some older gear in another bedroom( also bought a smoked tempered glass door, heavy duty casters, rear access panel, a couple shelves & a fan kit ). It is 22" deep, 30" high & 21" wide. It is very sturdy once assembled & holds up to 200lbs( must use model # VSA-1626 shelves with it ).

door closed


door open




rear panel on


rear panel off


I'll be adding a Vizio blu-ray player to it eventually. Will run audio to the non-HDMI receiver( multi ch in) & HDMI video to the tv.


The laminated racks are cheaper & look good even without the face plates.

http://www.middleatlantic.com/
http://www.middleatlantic.com/specs/96_032RKBRK.pdf
http://www.middleatlantic.com/rackac...shelves1.htm#4

[Josh]

That looks really nice!

[kingofgrills]

Space appears to be at a premium in your room, so I would avoid adding a large rack for now. You have a lot of space in your current setup, both on the rack and under the TV. Stack your TV receiver box on top of your power conditioner, and that will free a rack for you. The power conditioner should remain fairly cool, so your receiver box will be safe on it.

[Josh]

Right now I have my amp where my power conditioner was (because of the weight), I moved the power conditioner to where the cable box was, and then moved the cable box on top of the reciever. And before you guys start screaming "oh, the heat!", I built some custom stand-offs (a poster tube cut into 2-inch sections) to raise it above the reciever.

I'm sort of liking the laminate cabinet as I can close it in (which would make the finance very happy). But you're right, it may be a bit much for my small room. I'll have to keep looking at the stuff.

[Josh]

Alright, still considering:

So if I went with the Middle Atlantic BRK line (laminate), then its actually thinner than my existing stand, which would be great! But I have a few questions about the available equipment:

BRK20-22: I'm guessing this is the size I need; am I close? Is 20 RU going to be enough or should I splurge on the 28 RU unit? Also, is 22-inch depth going to be deep enough, or should I go with the 28-inch. Most of my equipment is 16-inches or less (most of the time less). 22-inches seems like enough, but I've never messed with this stuff before so I don't know.

RKW - Casters would be great. Any negative audio issues?

RK-RR20 - My understanding from the description is that these are the rear rails. Does that mean this is pretty much a necessary accessory? The amp is definitely heavy enough to require rear support.

RK-GD20 - I live the look of a glass door, but is that going to overheat my equipment?

SH-BRK - Are these the only shelves that work in this unit? Why wouldn't I want to just find the cheapest solution since its all standard 19" anyway? Is there something unique about these that makes them worth the cost?

Once again, thanks for edumacating me.