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Unpacking the box. Their packaging was straightforward and intelligently laid out. The outer container used double thick cardboard. Inner protection came from 1.125” thick Styrofoam in a clamshell assembly. The wooden shelves were packed in plastic sleeves and separated by sheets of poly wrap. Inner compartments built into the base of the clamshell case held the aluminium pillars, rods, spacers, caps, spikes and feet in a number of separate Ziploc bags, each wrapped in bubble wrap and sealed with clear tape. The bags were further taped down in the compartments to prevent movement in transit. Each component was enclosed in its own plastic sheath. Befitting pedigree, a pair of white gloves to ensure clean handling were included as well as a wrench to lock off the leveling spikes.


Basic figures.
 Shelf thickness: 30mm or 24mm
Shelf size: 630 x 480mm
Interior dimensions: 510 x 370mm
Column diameter: 30mm
Column lengths: 180 and 240mm provided (300mm available)
3 shelves provided for review (up to 4 shelves available)
Stackable up to 6 tiers
Load capacity: 100 g per shelf
Double and triple width racks available
Shelf panels and columns are available in two colors - natural birch with satin aluminium rods or Cherry stain with black rods at additional cost

Putting the pieces together proved quick and easy. For the mechanically challenged there’s even a video on the distributor’s website documenting both the manufacturing and assembly processes. Basic instructions are as follows. The lower portion is comprised of a hefty machined piece threaded at the bottom to accept spikes and sporting a threaded rod above. (Yes, it looks like a NASA lunar command module). Place Teflon washer on the threaded rod to act as spacer between the foot assembly and wooden shelf. Push the threaded rod through the hole. Place another Teflon spacer on the threaded rod on top of the shelf. Thread one of the taller aluminium pillars onto the rod while holding onto the base unit, tighten it down until snug. Repeat for the other three pillars and you have completed the first layer. The second layer is accomplished in almost identical fashion with the introduction of a threaded steel rod between the pillars and again, Teflon spacers on either side. The third layer follows suit with a cap threaded down got the finishing touch. Need more or less shelves? The concept is modular.

It looks simple. How does it work combating resonance? The functionality of the design is derived from careful material selection and an understanding of how those materials interact with the goal of minimal energy storage. The rack utilities solid aluminium rods to minimize ringing over hollow tubing and transfer energy rapidly. Teflon washers are intended to transfer energy faster than softer materials. The Stage 1000 comes with adjustable threaded floor spikes to transfer energy away from the stand combined with enhanced floor protectors comprised of brass insets and an aluminium outer casing.


The shelves themselves are quite unique. The traditional approach would opt for either high-mass solid or composite sandwich stock to control and damp resonance; or minimalist contact points to essentially float the component and eliminate interaction. Codia have taken a different route based on their room treatment devices. The shelves are composed of 30mm tried and true Baltic birch ply. The designers have chosen to significantly enhance these material properties by applying two groups of routed vertical slots varying in lengths and positioned in a herringbone pattern of opposing angles to break up internal vibration and curtail reflective resonant behaviour between shelf and component. For those requiring superior ventilation for equipment, this comes as an added bonus.


Cosmetically the rack combines nicely finished Baltic birch ply finished in ecologically friendly Polyurethane and satin-coated aluminium for svelte Scandinavian style minimalism. Subtle embellishments like beveled edges and oversized knurled lower aluminium supports keep it understated but elegant. This is no engineering sci-fi contraption or massive bunker that challenges fork lifts. The Stage disguises its audiophile intentions under the mild manners of unobtrusive hifi furniture that screams high spousal approval factor. An alternative finish of black rods and cherry-hued wood is available for those seeking a darker colour palette. With the unit assembled it was time to transfer components to their new location and select some suitable listening material.