Is hifi rack good enough for my system?

Sab · 23-07-2005, 10:48 AM

I have a Techlink 5 shelf hifi rack that costs full price 250 pounds. I have placed on top of it 6000 pounds of hifi units. Would I be better of with a more expensive 5 shelf rack for about 500 pounds or maybe even more?

What would the improvements in sound be? Already it is very dynamic.

eviljohn2 · 23-07-2005, 11:17 AM

I can't think of any reason why a hifi rack would make a sonic difference to anything other than a turntable so I'd be inclined to leave it be unless you're close to the weight limit of the shelves.

Knightshade · 28-07-2005, 2:33 PM

The rack in my signature is hand built from various hardwoods. Total cost: £150 plus a lot of hard work. The legs are spiked and isolated. This is the only modification i've made. Whether this makes a difference or not I can't really tell.
Before I had a specialist hi fi rack costing £1000ish which was absolute rubbish. Badly made and well, just not up for the job really.
Best thing I ever did was in my main listening room was build some separate concrete plinths for the speakers. Now that really made an audible difference.

Sab · 28-07-2005, 5:58 PM

This has nothing to do with hifiracks but Knightshade how good are the PMC OB1s? At the moment I have a PMC TB2 and wondered what sound improvements can be made by upgrading to PMC GB1, FB1+ or OB1.

Thanks.

Knightshade · 28-07-2005, 8:27 PM

Hi Sab,
OB1's are without doubt the best. Very neutral, very dynamic and very good control. Not the slightest hint of grain. The bass is powerful and brilliantly controlled. Some say they sound a little lacking in the bass department.
One thing though they do need some very good Amps to do them justice. I had them in a surround set up with TB2's as rears. To be honest the surround didn't get used much and they ended up being a very nice stereo pair. I still sometimes wonder why I upgraded my stereo system speakers......
However, be warned I've heard them on some equipment and they sound bad.
The GB1's are a bit middle of the road. Good for a smaller room. Bass a little lacking but still a nice neutral sound. I personally wouldn't bother with this one. Nothing wrong with at all but just a bit 'Skinny' looking.
The FB1's are better, bigger dynamic range. I think now they've had the Fabric Dome tweeter treatment they sound smoother than they did.

Bottom line is don't go in with enough money to buy the FB1's and then be tempted to listen to the OB1's. You will buy the OB1's.

23-07-2005, 10:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Sab Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: London Posts: 332 My movie collection iTrader: (8) Thanks: Gave 10, Got 5	Is hifi rack good enough for my system? I have a Techlink 5 shelf hifi rack that costs full price 250 pounds. I have placed on top of it 6000 pounds of hifi units. Would I be better of with a more expensive 5 shelf rack for about 500 pounds or maybe even more? What would the improvements in sound be? Already it is very dynamic.

23-07-2005, 11:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
eviljohn2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Near London. Posts: 6,179 My movie collection iTrader: (15) Thanks: Gave 72, Got 193	I can't think of any reason why a hifi rack would make a sonic difference to anything other than a turntable so I'd be inclined to leave it be unless you're close to the weight limit of the shelves. __________________ See no AV, Hear no AV, Speak no AV. Congratulations! You found the hidden text.

28-07-2005, 2:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Knightshade Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,889 My movie collection iTrader: (6) Thanks: Gave 13, Got 49	The rack in my signature is hand built from various hardwoods. Total cost: £150 plus a lot of hard work. The legs are spiked and isolated. This is the only modification i've made. Whether this makes a difference or not I can't really tell. Before I had a specialist hi fi rack costing £1000ish which was absolute rubbish. Badly made and well, just not up for the job really. Best thing I ever did was in my main listening room was build some separate concrete plinths for the speakers. Now that really made an audible difference. __________________ System: Linn, Sony, Pioneer, Topfield, Revel, Atacama, Various DACs; Cables: Atlas, AudioQuest, Analysis Plus & several home made; Furniture: Hold the Music;

28-07-2005, 8:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Knightshade Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,889 My movie collection iTrader: (6) Thanks: Gave 13, Got 49	Hi Sab, OB1's are without doubt the best. Very neutral, very dynamic and very good control. Not the slightest hint of grain. The bass is powerful and brilliantly controlled. Some say they sound a little lacking in the bass department. One thing though they do need some very good Amps to do them justice. I had them in a surround set up with TB2's as rears. To be honest the surround didn't get used much and they ended up being a very nice stereo pair. I still sometimes wonder why I upgraded my stereo system speakers...... However, be warned I've heard them on some equipment and they sound bad. The GB1's are a bit middle of the road. Good for a smaller room. Bass a little lacking but still a nice neutral sound. I personally wouldn't bother with this one. Nothing wrong with at all but just a bit 'Skinny' looking. The FB1's are better, bigger dynamic range. I think now they've had the Fabric Dome tweeter treatment they sound smoother than they did. Bottom line is don't go in with enough money to buy the FB1's and then be tempted to listen to the OB1's. You will buy the OB1's. __________________ System: Linn, Sony, Pioneer, Topfield, Revel, Atacama, Various DACs; Cables: Atlas, AudioQuest, Analysis Plus & several home made; Furniture: Hold the Music;

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28-07-2005, 5:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sab Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: London Posts: 332 My movie collection iTrader: (8) Thanks: Gave 10, Got 5	This has nothing to do with hifiracks but Knightshade how good are the PMC OB1s? At the moment I have a PMC TB2 and wondered what sound improvements can be made by upgrading to PMC GB1, FB1+ or OB1. Thanks.