You can make a great HiFi rack yourself

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

I remember this video. It didn't occur to me until some time later that shelves on a rack are not ventilated. The reason I thought about this is because I was able to reduce the heat coming from my amp considerably by putting some space between the bottom of the amp and the surface of the shelf. Just that one thing made a huge difference. Providing space on the top and to the sides took me the rest of the way. It really suprises me that you see images of class A amps shoved in a really nice looking rack with little space above or below. What really amazes me is that ventilated shelves are not really a thing..as far as I can tell anyhow.

[@roberttroxell4006]

I wonder if you could put one of those cooling pads that are made to go under a laptop and use it under an amp to cool it? Maybe figure out how to attach it to the trigger jack on the amp that would turn on the cooling pad whenever the amp is turned on? Did I just invent a product? When I was in high school back in 1972, I built an oak table to hold my budding stereo system. Most of the oak was 1 and 1/4” thick. There was one piece I wasn’t sure how I would do it, and by the time I decided I could only get 3/4” oak. Fortunately, that was the top and it doesn’t look out of place with the rest. I still have the table, with the original finish (some areas need redone, but I’m not enthused about refinishing it - with my luck it would end up looking worse, not better). It still looks pretty good, if I do say so myself. Today, most anything you get like this would be veneered oak or a lesser wood, but this is solid oak. I had it cut to dimensions at the place where I bought it, as it is tough stuff to cut!

[@pavlo687]

A hard wax oil made in Germany called OSMO is the best oil out there. Wish you could show more about how you did the legs with the spikes?

[@brianlewis5042]

Outstanding job. Looks awesome. “Necessity is the mother of all inventions “. There is nothing that can’t be accomplished when you put your mind to it.

[@NeilBlanchard]

It looks great, and I trust your judgement that it helps the system sound better. The solid aluminum legs and bolts are going to make a strong structure that resists tilting/racking on the diagonal. This is called a "moment connection" and if it wasn't good enough, you would need to have corner braces instead.

[@sloboat55]

Dig it, looks and function. I bought a 70's Era bar cart for my intergrated, CD player and two power amps.

[@johngutmanis3204]

Very good advice about how the rack affects the sound of your system! Instead of all your components being square to the front of your rack, try toe in and toe out on the components, actually use them to diffuse the reflections, and cover the TV with a blanket when not in use. I believe you will hear an improvement in the soundstage and instrument separation. Keep up the good work!

[@redstarwraith]

It is a beautiful set up you've got. Here in the US, walnut would cost you a small fortune! Simply gorgeous. You should be very proud.

[@Kulumuli]

I really like the design of this. I just bought a Copland cta 405 integrated valve amplifier. It's heavy (30kg) and it needs a lot of air. So I would put it on top of this with my turntable and only have one compartment under for blu-ray player and accessories. And then the TV goes on the wall.

[@avro66]

very nice rack.i made my own racks when I was serving in the RAF back in the 80.90s cost a fraction of the ones sold in the hifi shops.

[@MrBazsi888]

You just need side panels. No need for different equipment and moving the speaker around. The side panel helps to achieve better stereo image + adds thick natural body to the sound.

[@jari121]

I think the biggest effect on the sound comes from changes in sound reflection in the room. Different shape, different materials, whether it works as a reflective surface or as acoustic panels on the wall. Another good idea is to get a sturdy used television-stereo level. They only cost a few dozen bucks. I bought one in a second-hand store a few years ago for my 50 kg TV. The sides and bottom have good levels for my stereo equipment.

[@soulshinobi]

I'm in the US as the inexpensive option for good wood is to buy butcher block countertops. I did something similar and built a standing desk instead of a high fi rack, and I also used Rubio Monocoat! Despite the name, you should definitely do two coats.

[@iiWiReviews]

Good idea, I've seen others using butcher blocks in a various ways. We applied two coats too, it brought deeper color and contrast to the wood.

[@paulpavlou9294]

Nice job and looks good too. I still use IKEA bamboo cutting boards with sorbothane feet to decouple equipment from each shelf as well.

[@kaplandjk]

Nice work. Great video. Any idea where this metal hardware can be sourced in the US? (or where did u buy it?) Thx.

[@bobb.9917]

I do these kinds of projects all the time. You guys did an incredible job of of sourcing materials! BRAVO! I would love to send you a video of my automatic Mega T.V. screen cover that I designed and built. It puts the cloth of your choice in front of the T.V. at the push of a button AND eliminates the black whole in your room and that GIANT reflective surface for attentive listeners like you! 😎 I also found that it helps watch less T.V.👍🏼

[@iiWiReviews]

No way, I was at one point thinking about something similar - some sort of moving mechanism with diffusion panels. But I never went for it. 😊

[@bobb.9917]

@@iiWiReviews do you have an email I could send it to you?

[@RedSinter]

The Rack is excellent I don't really need an explanation as I've worked in Fabrication for some 48 years. What is a surprise is I never transferred the construction technique from the usual narrow Racks you normally see high end equipment housed in. Now when I make one and I will I just won't be using the sold aluminum leg spacers. I will use All Thread metric equivalent to 5/8 inch then sheath the all Thread with recessed holes and decoupling the segments with rubber isolation washers. I'm not sure at the moment which approach I'll go with to isolate the floor for the Rack. So, I gathered your old set up was reacting to microphonics and reproducing them thru your system. Interesting. So, I couldn't help but notice you aren't using Kef LS 50's. So, what are those speakers? They look reminiscent of Emotiva B2+ only instead of Black in a wood veneer and instead of a folded ribbon twetter a soft dome I presume?

[@frederf69]

Thanks for this. Hifi racks are over priced yes. It is just planks and balustrades' & a few bits and pieces after all. That is a nice hifi rack & especially for the money, well done 👍👍

[@D1N02]

If your rack influences bass performance, probably other furniture will too. Did you make the diffusers yourself too?

[@iiWiReviews]

I bought diffusers but painted them myself.

[@wric01]

Several thousands into hifi. Start with a pi2aes mercury streamer and save a lot of money chasing better audio. Amps, dac:r2r, speaker, cables are small increments..

[@flintmonz]

Very nicely constructed !

[@frederf69]

I would add cork to the platforms; to reduce the resonant frequencies of the wood 🥁✌

[@tallpaull9367]

Or maybe incorporate some Sorbothane

[@RUfromthe40s]

i also did my hi-fi furniture either than a wood with lot´s of strenght i in the parts that are not showed re-inforced it with a steel sheet cut to the shelfs measures, making it even harder like a chassi in all support parts and shelfs ,it´s stayed very cheap

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

It's a really important point to consider the conversion of currencies weighed against rave reviews. No doubt the UK rack is competitive in the Uk- maybe outstanding, but once you do the math in your own country with its own additional costs , the proposition/ reviews should be readjusted- unless, of course, the company is one you wish to support.

[@iiWiReviews]

I completely agree here. It's very obvious for example with Schiit products. In USA those are great deal, but in the rest of the world we get different prices and I can't be equally happy about it as my American colleagues. It's a strong case for looking at domestic manufacturers first.

[@gageoswald7790]

i made a $14,000 rack for about 200. steel tubes filled with sand and bird shot as are the tubes. all welded up. nice rack. never said that to a man before. lol

[@Percival1919]

Thank you… definitely inspired me to make my own!!!

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗👍😎SRBOLJUB,🤩🤩 …IMHHO…YOU AND YOUR FRIEND DID EVERYTHING THE RIGHT WAY 👏👏👏 USING THE BEST MATERIALS AND YOUR OWN LABOR 😅…you have QUALITY AND JOB SATISFACTION 🤗 I personally love walnut and the oil finish so another WIN / WIN 🥇🥇for both of you 🍾🥂ENJOY YOUR MUSIC 🎼 AND YOUR WINE 🍷🤗😁💚💚💚

[@juliancrun]

Looks awesome. Thanks for the video.

[@joeycastillo1496]

That looks like a very nice audio rack.

[@davidfromamerica1871]

In Alabama we pick up used cider blocks and red bricks and used old plywood for free. Free home entertainment center..😀👍 Just stack them..✅

[@mikaelsjogren6315]

That bench is probably better than most that you can buy! You have'nt got your hands on a Gustard r26 yet? Best regards Mikael

[@iiWiReviews]

Thanks. My R26 is braking in still but I can already say it's a really great one.

[@mikaelsjogren6315]

@@iiWiReviews OMG! I´m so curious please check how it acts like a preamp. I have been waiting for a good DAC that can go directly to my poweramp without something between . Best regards Mikael

[@cobar5342]

Great work and quite inspiring

[@Ken-vv3os]

Like is the top portion balancing on spikes? So it would fall over if you walk into it by accident?

[@iiWiReviews]

Spikes are nested on top of Allan srews of the lower layer so the top needs to be lifted up first before it can fall. It's also 20 kg so it's not that easy to accidentally move.

[@firststspeedway-hotwheelsr3545]

Too complete deaden and take out any resonance of the wood panels, pieces of no-rez can be added underneath each panel. They wouldn't be seen if kept a couple of inches back from the front edge, and would completely deaden the rack.

[@ekjellgren]

How do the spikes stand on the next level?

[@iiWiReviews]

Upper-level spikes land right in the hexagonal Allen bolt that is located on the lower level. Long Allen bolts are screwed to the aluminium legs through the wood.

[@nathanielbrice8725]

Thought I’d never say this to a guy, but nice rack! 😂 What speakers are you using?

[@iiWiReviews]

😄 They're also DIY project called Spirit Wind kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWrYd4KVptStes0si=VWtlBp-POsblHIM_

[@nathanielbrice8725]

@@iiWiReviews thanks mate!

[@Temmple]

What speakers are those in the thumbnail? Almost looks like the Musician Knight 1 and hope that it is. Been hoping you review this speaker as it has very little reviews so far and seems like a great value.

[@iiWiReviews]

Spirit Wind by Jeff Bagby. It's a DIY project of a really high quality. I'll make a video about those too at some point.

[@Temmple]

@@iiWiReviews Any thing in the works for the Musician Audio Knight 1 stand mount?

[@trubadyr99]

Молодцы ребята! Очень солидно и довольно красиво получилось! Выглядит лучше чем тот цельно-деревянный и очень дорогой образец который вы показали. Теперь вы можете начать свой хай-фай мебельный бизнес! Еще раз: молодцы!

[@xyz1663]

Do a bluesound powernode review!!

[@johncallaghan3097]

Gotta ask -- what's the big black piece of equipment with the 2 big red knobs and labelled what appears to be "Fulcrum"? BTW, your rack looks just great -- it appears you did a good job with it! 🙂 Edit: I see you've already answered this. It's an acoustic invader preamp - possibly one of the most expensive (IIRC) when I bought my more basic model from him. He wanted to sell me one, but it was too expensive for me. It will be interesting to hear the review and whether it's appreciably different from the more basic model.

[@iiWiReviews]

Yes, Fulcrum is very expensive and I hesitated to get it even with a very nice discount I was offered. But I gave in eventually. I"ll dedicate a video to it once I manage to compare it with more preamps in that similar price range.

[@johncallaghan3097]

@@iiWiReviews Speaking purely for myself, I'd be very interested to hear a comparison with the basic model in the interim. At £5300 in Feb '22, the Fulcrum was too much for me, especially as I enjoy both my systems so much already. My £139 Ifi zen dac V2 works exceedingly well with the AI preamp in my dearer system in the lounge, and my 5x more expensive Earmen Tradutto dac likewise with my Audiolab 6000A in a cheaper nearfield setup in my study. Might seem odd, but I prefer the dacs to be in those locations. The Earmen makes little difference in the lounge, but an enormous difference in the study, where I spend most of my listening time.

[@Profoundsoup]

Hello my friend, I want to support on Patreon but it doesn't look like much up to date content is there. Do you plan on putting more work into it?

[@pavlo687]

What diameter is the aluminum legs? looks like about 1.5" or 3.75cm? I still don't totally understand the allen screw on the top. Do the threads of the allen screw engage the wood before engaging threads in the aluminum legs? if shelves were empty, would the top shelf just be able to be lifted up off the spikes? 1.5" aluminum bar stock is $1.44 per pound here.

[@iiWiReviews]

Aluminium solid rods are 4 cm in diameter. Alen screws go trough the wood (we widened the wholes just enough on one end so the alen srews are flash with the surface when tightened) and screw into the aluminium leg. That's how we attach legs firmly. Each shelf is then just stacked on top of the other, and yes you can remove them anytime you want. Spikes just slot into the caps of the alen srews of the lower shelf that act as footers. Also, spikes are adjustable so we can level each shelf after stacking them. Everything sits securely and firmly in the end because each shelf is around 20 kg and the whole rack around 60 kg.

[@pavlo687]

@@iiWiReviews That is the conclusion I was arriving at ... that their weight just held them in place. The allen screws then basically simply act is 'pegs' to fit up into the hole in the wood.

[@bfdpkave1]

Where can I source the black tube supports in eu ?

[@dangr123]

Wait.. Don't spikes do the opposite of decoupling?

[@iiWiReviews]

You're right actually. Common belief nowadays is that spike guides and releases the vibration in a controlled way. So it's some sort of coupling. I'm not versed enough on this topic, that's why I just followed what smarter designers have already done.

[@pavlo687]

Appears that spikes point down. How did you attach legs to wood above it?

[@iiWiReviews]

Legs have threads on both sides, in the bottom we screwd in spikes, while top is connected to the wood by long alen screws that go trough the wood. At the same time, caps of these alen srews are used as a footer that spikes from the level above rest on.

[@pavlo687]

@@iiWiReviews So, on the very top shelf, in a closeup photo, you would see the top of the big allen screw with the hexagonal hole, right? And the spikes that meet the second shelf 'seat' down in these holes? What size allen screws did you use? I really want to make me one of these. I assume you had to get allen screws that matched the diameter of the threaded spike studs and the allens screws are also coated with the flat black 'plastic' coating?

[@iiWiReviews]

If I remember correctly, both alen srews and spikes have M6 threads. Alen screws are stainless steel with length of around 6 cm (4 cm trough the wood and 2 cm into the leg thread). Yes you can see them in the corners of each shelf level. We had some ideas how to cover them but liked this raw industrial look in the end. Also, as they sit flashed to the surface, you don't really notice them from the sitting position.

[@pavlo687]

@@iiWiReviews I'm sorry to ask so many questions, but I must build a pair. btw, my wife is from Ukraine and we were in Slovakia, Czech Republic (Prague), and Slovenia back the summer of 2019. Loved the Vintgor? Gorge in Slovenia, lake Bled was too touristy but pretty, and we left Prague early due to crowds. We preferred hiking in the mountains there in the north of Slovenia in the national park. Loved Slovenia - I'd leave USA anytime to live there!

[@anandshah71]

Any tips on how to make a diy diffuser

[@iiWiReviews]

I bought mine and just painted them myself. I tough about making them, and there are many tutorials online, but it seemed very time consuming so I gave up.

[@surreptitiousscreamer]

annnnnnnd he is back! Nice rack Sir, is something I didn't imagine I would be saying today but I am.

[@novicatoncic6908]

I see Fulcrum has arrived!!?? The review is coming up??

[@iiWiReviews]

Fulcrum is in the house and review is coming sometime soon...there's a queue I have to respect. 😊

[@novicatoncic6908]

@@iiWiReviews Can’t wait!

[@ditim144]

can I order one?

[@glichasasha750]

I don’t like racks because they show all the cables and it looks messy. I made a cabinet instead.

[@techmed-rainer]

Danke!

[@iiWiReviews]

Thank you too!

[@techmed-rainer]

@@iiWiReviews You're welcome!

[@bobb.9917]

What is that Fulcrum Unit behind you? 🤓

[@iiWiReviews]

It's the best preamp that Acoustic Invader is offering. I will talk about it sometime later.

[@bobb.9917]

@@iiWiReviews i LOVE the looks of it! 👍🏼

[@HungryEatNow]

Only the elites can hear a difference from good quality rack

[@anonimushbosh]

So to summarise... to replace a cheap cabinet that colours your grooves build one that looks like this. And if it ruins the sound don't worry just upgrade all your gear 🤣🤘

[@iiWiReviews]

In a nutshell. But hey, life would be boring otherwise. 😁

[@larrywe3320]

Nice... Thanks !

[@NikolaLukac]

Prelepa hi fi polica...koja je visina izmedju nivoa polica, jel su iste visine ili je donja nešto višlja?😮

[@iiWiReviews]

Hvala. Donja polica ima 19 cm visine ako zatreba za baš kabaste uređaje a gornja 16 cm.

[@bubblehead5394]

If you don't overspend like a wannabe audiophile zombie then it isn't really audiophile quality :)

[@iiWiReviews]

So I've been told too. 😊

[@justoutlaw6423]

Koja firma iz Bosne je u pitanju? Jel to Boban s tobom radio?

[@iiWiReviews]

Orah je iz Bosne a kupili smo ga u Familija Shop iz Ovče.

[@justoutlaw6423]

@@iiWiReviews Hvala ti.

[@CraciunAlexandruGh]

No wife, huh ? 😁

[@iiWiReviews]

She's just extremely cool and supportive of my hobbies. In return, I travel and visit places even when I don't feel like it cause I'm supportive of her things. 😊