I have an opportunity to purchase an equipment rack for short $$, but am concerned that if I run out of space I will have to add a second, mismatched rack. If I go the standard slim 5 approach, I can always bolt on a second rack. See diagram of my rack space below. Conservatively, I have 3 extra spaces. Liberally, I have 7 extra spaces. What did I forget? Is it too stuffed? Am I leaving adequate room for expansion.

http://idisk.mac.com/dbbarron1-Public/Theater/Loaded Rack.jpg

db

You have a bunch of small components there... if you needed to, you could always double/triple up on a few of them. The Wii and apple tv come to mind.

Yes; but for the neat look I want to use the custom shelves/faceplates (which are more costly than some of the devices!). As AppleTV has no front panel interface, I will likely mount it in the rear of the rack and not use any panel space and save the cost of the custom panel.

Are you going to use an active or passive cooling approach? If active, you need to have a 2 space vent at the very bottom, use all solid rack faces, have closed sides and back then seal off the vents at the top of the rack and have a fan top. I don't remember if those options are available with the slim5. Clear as mud?

Passive. Front and Back will be wide open. The amps all have fans.

The Wii can lay flat. I have my Wii and Apple TV on the same shelf. Everything else in my rack has its own shelf and I still have space left over to add more items down the road.

Do I need a larger rack?
db

Keep in mind there is only so much you can pack into one cabinet before the doors won't close.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2227/1576926672_07d4c06bd4.jpg?v=0

What are you using the video switch for? Multizone? What size video switch are you using? 2U is pretty small.

If multizone you probably want an audio switch and a multizone amp too.

CJ

Keep in mind there is only so much you can pack into one cabinet before the doors won't close.

That's awesome. I'm still laughing. I wanted to comment about the title of the original post, but I would not have topped that.