John
“I’m bored.
I’m the chairman of the board.
I’m a Lincoln monologue,
I’m livin’ like a God,
I’m bored.”
— Iggy Pop
Hi-fi racks – we audiophiles use them to organise our components, to more attractively display them and, sometimes, to minimise the negative influence of vibrations, which not applied to mechanical devices like turntables but also electronics. Our amplifier and/or DAC’s circuitry can, to varying degrees, translate (airborne) mechanical vibrations into deleterious electrical noise – that’s microphony at work. The fewer the vibrations reaching our gear, the lower the electrical noise generated and the better the sound quality.
I’ve not actively sought to define any audible improvements wrought by the Podium Reference rack from UK company HiFi Racks Ltd but its modularity makes lighter work of switching up and re-cabling hi-fi hardware. That and I dig its handsomely robust looks. Eagle eyes will note that this is the very same rack model that I used whilst living Down Under.
We should also acknowledge that not everyone can – or will want to – afford multi-thousand dollar solutions. Those earning US$300K/year will hone in on different priorities to those earning a tenth of that – but that doesn’t mean the choices made by those with fatter wallets aren’t every bit as legitimate as those who demand less costly options. One man’s ceiling is another man’s floor. Live and let live.
For those with shallower pockets looking to more attractively display their hi-fi components (and potentially minimise component-dependent microphony), we might look to the IKEA Aptitlig butcher block. To its base, I have stuck four Gel Pads from loudspeaker stand manufacturer Atacama for an attractive platform that runs us a mere $30.
This video takes care of the show and tell. The rest remains up to you, dear reader.
Further information: Hi-Fi Racks Podium Reference | IKEA Aptitlig | Atacama Gel Pads
