 |
|||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||
 |
|||||||||
| Reviewer: Srajan Ebaen Source: Cairn Fog v2.0 as transport; Zanden Audio Model 5000 MkIII DAC; Ortho Spectrum AR-2000 filter/buffer on the DAC's analog outputs; Eastern Electric MiniMax CDP [on review] Preamp/Integrated: Bel Canto PRe2 GenII; Eastern Electric MiniMax [on loan]; Acoustic Reality eAR Pre2 [on review]; Antique Sound Lab MGHead DT/OTL 32 [on review]; Wyetech Labs Opal [on review] Amp: AUDIOPAX Model 88; Bel Canto eVo 4 GenII; Eastern Electric MiniMax amplifier [on review] Speakers: Avantgarde Acoustic DUO; nOrh SM 6.9, Gallo Acoustic Reference III Cables: HMS Grand Finale; Analysis Plus Solo Oval and Oval 8; i2digital X-60 and Stereovox HDXV S/PDIF cables; Mapleshade Ebony active S/PDIF interconnect; Furutech Digi. Reference BNC-BNC digital cable; ma recordings BNC/BNC reference digital cable [on review]; Mapleshade Planar power cord with DC bias; Audio Magic Clairvoyant power cords; Crystal Cable Reference complete wire set of analog and digital interconnects, speaker cables and power cords; Z-Cable Reference Cyclone power cords on both powerline conditioner; 2 x Stealth Audio Cables Indra analogue &Varidig S/PDIF cable [on review]; Artistic Audio Vacuum Reference S/PDIF [on review]; Dynamic Design digital interconnects [on review]; Audience Au24 digital interconnect [on review] Stands: Grand Prix Audio Monaco four-tier Powerline conditioning: BPT BP-3.5 Signature; Walker Audio Velocitor for source components Sundry accessories: GPA Formula Carbon/Kevlar shelf for tube amps; GPA Apex footers underneath stand and speakers; Walker Audio SST on all connections; Walker Audio Vivid CD cleaner; Furutech RD-2 CD demagnetizer; WorldPower cryo'd Hubbell wall sockets; Musse Audio resonance dampers on DUO subs; Mapleshade 4" solid maple platform under BPT conditioner Room size: 30' w x 18' d x 10' h [sloping ceiling] in long-wall setup in one half, with open adjoining living room for a total of ca.1000 squ.ft floor plan and significant 'active' cubic air volume of essentially the entire (small) house Review component retail: starting at $2,850 for Model A 4-tier w. floor spikes and 12 Vector Mounts (3 per level) |
|||||||||
Some faintly remembered proverb talks about being penny-wise but pound-foolish. Whoever said that didn't know about EquaRack. Hoisting onto my shoulders the deceptively compact boxes which the man in brown had dropped off in my barn made me want to rewrite this proverb. Something about penny-foolish but pound-wise: While you do pay a pretty penny for this rack, it is heavy! Today's pictorial tour will cover assembly, parts and construction. Part II will report on sonics. Yes, sonics. This isn't just some functional way of stowing away your components. This is a performance rack engineered to improve audible performance. Time of unpacking, assembly, munching on crumpets, slurping raspberry lemonade and changing CDs? Less than two hours. |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
| Having seen EquaRacks at shows, I didn't consult the owner's manual to assemble the parts. It was easily done solo. Everything one needs was included except for a socket wrench, tape measure and torpedo level. Putting things together on a carpet prevented scratching the silver metallic powder coat. Because EquaRacks are shelfless -- is that Yiddish for selfless? -- the actual points of contact with your equipment become Vector or Ball Bearing mounts. To account for different footprints, the supporting cross members can be moved front and aft to lock in desired depth, then the component mounts can be adjusted sideways for the perfect point of contact. Due to its completely modular nature fixed with nuts that slide inside 12-ga. steel channels, relative tier height and spacing from one tier to the next are infinitely adjustable. Floor contact is made via spikes or optional Vector or BearingMounts. |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||