Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion HiFi & HT Chat HiFi racks, stands, units & TV units

Hi folks,

Just wondering what hifi racks, stands, units & TV units you have bought as finding it kinda hard to fit amps or anything 800 series into them.
Depth out from the wall being the biggest issue 500mm is snug then adding cables makes a further issue.
I’d like doors but I’ve looked in most usual places 380-450 seem to be standard sizes for racks and TV stands.

It’s either that or build something.

Any help push in right direction would be great.

I went the route of having mine custom made.

Jonathan

I have this one. Cheers Shaun

Not the epitome of audiophile support solutions I know , but there’s a hack using Ikea ‘Lack’ coffee tables, one for each piece of equipment and can be customised to the required height.

I’ll hunt for the link, sure to have logged it somewhere

Gary

Ha, found it more quickly than expected -

https://www.audioappraisal.com/build-diy-hi-fi-rack-using-ikea-lack-tables/

Each table is 550mm square, choice of colours and about £6 each level

......No I don’t work for ikea (tho partial to the occasional plate of meatballs )

Gary

I originally bought one of these https://www.optimumproject.co.uk/products/pro1600f when I needed to rack some (now moved on) dCS Elgar / Purcell equipment. It worked pretty well but was tight from a width perspective. It was a pig to move around on the carpet as well when you needed to get behind it, domestic reasons mean it has to be close to the back wall.

I’ve subsequently gone the bespoke way using a local cabinet maker, which overall, has been a success. It’s not the most pretty of units but hides all the kit and was designed with the skirting board in mind so sits flush to the wall hiding all the cables (so some brownie points from the other half!).

Depending on your views on hi fi racks and sound benefits (I’ve got no view either way) I’d still go bespoke again, mine cost about £1100 all in. If I had a dedicated room I’d perhaps take a different approach and look at hi fi racks. I can dream for now!

As I couldn't find a rack to suit my purposes I used BESTA modules from IKEA, also available in other finishes. It has IR friendly glass doors and I keep everything hidden it except the 808v6 and turntable. They sit on perspex shelves, which in turn, sit on isolation feet.

I went with Boltz Furniture not audiophile grade, but I like the industrial look.

I like HiFi Racks, they will manufacture the shelf sizes you need and the right leg lengths so you can get the right rack mix for your kit.

Also they are extremely sturdy and can easily support heavy amplifiers etc. or of course Meridian DSP7200HC speakers should you have one.

Not cheap but will last a lifetime.

I've always liked the sound of wooden support furniture for hi-fi, as long as it's oak, and well made, so second Colin's recommendation for Hi-Fi Racks.

The only thing I've found which is better is Russ Andrews Torlyte. It comes in standard sizes but is built to order so they can customise. Standard Hi-Fi racks, or AV racks. If you go for the standard hi-fi rack, get them to make it a little wider/deeper for 800 series gear, or ask for a 4 pillar version (the third pillar at the back is difficult for some cables). The AV rack should be fine though.

Contrary to its appearance, it is very much not solid wood, but a torsion box of extremely light wood, you'd be astonished if you actually pick up a whole shelf, easily, with your little finger, yet it's extraordinarily rigid and almost completely free of resonance. Very clever engineering. Can be stained black if you don't like the wood finish.

They now use curved corners and oak uprights, but I use and prefer the older design with box/rectangular square cornered Torlyte uprights also, both aesthetically and SQ, which they can still custom-make.

👍🏻🤔This could be the route I have to go down

A tad to rich for me