Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion HiFi & HT Chat What AV Cabinet?

Besides the elevation adjustment on DSP’s, if you also own a Trinnov Altitude you can also re-map the height of the Centre Channel.

Just heard some very good news - A company has purchased all the CNC machines, extractors, tooling and other related tools from Hi FI Racks to continue the manufacture of bespoke wooden audio tables and stands with a very much improved lacquer finish compared to the original products. The company is Rack My Hi Fi and is part of DB Hi Fi based in Suffolk, And having seen some samples first hand, Things look very promising going forward with genuine wooden Hi Fi furniture comparable to Hi Fi Racks.

I came across the above post on another site and looks to be accurate. Potential good news for my rack plans.

By chance, Franc Audio Accessories randomly appeared on my Instagram feed. They custom manufacture Audio Racks with sturdy metal structures, which, from conversing with them, will safely accommodate my 25Kg OLED - and a 30kg DSP5200HC.

KOG Audio is the UK distributor for this brand originating from Poland.

I’m in the process of obtaining a quote.

Good news for Colin Triggs on HiFi Racks.

Unfortunately, not good news for me, see note below from the announcement:

Important Information for Existing Hi-Fi Racks Customers
We understand that some of you may be looking for additional shelving or leg packs for your existing Hi-Fi Racks systems. Due to significant differences in production methods between the previous and new owners, it won’t be possible to reproduce spare parts for legacy products.

If you haven’t already purchased a rack, Russ Andrew’s used to make an AV version of their Torlyte rack. I think they are custom made to your requirements. Very strong. I’ve used Torlyte for years with great results. Worth a look.

FWIW, I discovered Rose & Walker in Yorkshire can custom fabricate exactly what I require (145x52x35cm) for less than £700 delivered.

Dear Spinaltap,
I got Audinni to build me a bespoke cabinet based on their Solid Quattro line. I had them adjust the middle part of the cabinet to be just the right width for a DSP5200HC. They also pre-installed the bottom part of an alphason bracket for my 55in screen (now replaced with 65in). Wife ( & cats ) love it.
See Audinni Soldid Quattro AV Cabinet & Alphason Unifit bracket
I'll upload photos if anyone's interested.
GMS

I need an AV Unit that will span a fireplace hearth. In my circumstances, the Audinni unit doesn't cut the mustard.

I've sorted my TV/Centre Speaker Rack. The only other issue is the AV Rack.

I’ve considered all the possible options, even having a solid wood 16u Server Rack manufactured that would better integrate with my furniture.

Sadly, Studio Racks cannot vouch for its load and structural capabilities for housing 20kg/>£20k worth of kit. At minimum, I would have to add heavy-duty 'L' side rails and rear vertical rails for component support.

Being pragmatic, I've resolved to purchase a 15u Sanus CFR2115-B1, which arrives fully assembled/pre-configured.

Made explicitly for home theatre components, and with a collection of included 1u and 2u ventilated shelves and front spacing plates, for the money (£549), with a 10-year warranty, its less industrial aesthetic is the sensible approach to protect my components. I will have to buy some additional Sanus 1u ventilated shelves, plus 1u Sanus front ventilated blanking plates.

Sanus Racks Comparison Chart.

Given that Meridian use Sanus at trade shows, they can't be that bad. I will add an AC Infinity Vented Cooling Unit as the top 1u component (as the Sanus AV Rack has an integral top ventilation outlet) - plus an APC Power Distribution Unit at the bottom.

Had Middle Atlantic not been swallowed up by Legrand, they produced a range of faux wood finished 16u Racks that would have been perfect.

Has anyone here bought/used a Sanus 15u, 27u, 36u or 44u AV Rack? If so, what is your experience?

Here's a handy tip to determine if a given-sized server rack is sufficient for all your audio kit.

This planning is preferable to buying an incorrectly sized rack.

For example, if it's for a planned 16u rack, open/create a 16-row spreadsheet.

Each cell in the first column represents 1u.

Merge cells for 2u, 3u component/ventilation/blanking panels.

Name each merged/cell with the component name.

Overall, this represents the front-mounted contents of the server rack.

In the second column, repeat the above, but identifying hidden/mounted rear components - such as an AppleTV, network hub, a power distribution unit, or active cooling units, for example.

In advance, this avoids any unintended interference between front and rear-mounted components.

Such advanced planning minimises time spent on any potential frustration/problems of repeatedly mounting/removing/mounting each and every component until you get it all to comfortably fit.

How does that work if you're equipment is not exactly a U? i.e. not rackmount audio equipment.