Show me your RACK - Page 2

Just set mine up last weekend. Still need to do some work on it and I'm waiting for a few more faceplates. I've still got to do some touch up drywall and final painting as well before its done.

(Click on picture to enlarge photo)



Door On.



Door on



I have more pics in the construction thread.

Cheers
Calvin

Where is everybody getting their racks from? Sounds like a lot of them are Middle Atlantic brands...

Mine is a MA.

Middle Atlantic SRSR 4-30 Series 19" Rotating Sliding Rail System

Soon I will be buying the customized shelves...

Vincent is that the APC S10 or S15 ? I see on the bottom of the rack? I'm just looking at both of those units right now for my rack what are your impressions of the unit?
Thanks
Calvin

Got my MA Slim 5 at BSWUSA.com.

Bud

Mine is a combination of several vendors Chatsworth, Gubber, and Middle Atlantic etc.. Most rack parts are standardized and interchangeable so I shop for the best price.

I agree with Mr. Powers. In fact I bought some stuff from the Gubber store on eBay and got my shelves from Worthington.

Bud

Have to say, that's beautiful.

I wish I had the space for a "real" home theater.

Sadly it is neither. It is an H10 which is only the Power Conditioner. I wanted an S15, but it was too much to justify. My projector is the main thing that needs battery back-up and it is plugged in elsewhere, so I decided to save some money and only get an H10 for the rest of the components.

Next time I design it so my projector gets it'spower from the same place as the components (power run back to component rack). That way it has a battery back-up and I don't need two power conditioners.

How did you inset the x-box and other non-rack-mount components? Did you make them yourself? They're awesome.

pete

I'm making the trip tomorrow to pickup a rack for my system. I'm curious if it's better to get one with sides or without. For right now, it's just going into a closet so appearance doesn't matter all that much. I'm more worried about heat buildup than anything else.

any advice?

They make custom faceplates for just about everything. I swear by them.

As far as heat buildup, the shelves actually keep the components separated to allow for airflow around each piece. You can install cooling fans etc to help with circulation if needed.

If the rack is going in a closet, I prefer the ERK solid sided units. It hides the wires etc and even though it's free-standing it still looks very nice.

I've been looking on the Middle Atlantic web site at how to size up the custom faceplates. Can you provide us with some links on where to buy them online and give us an idea of typical cost.

Thanks,
T.Wells

I have bought from Lashen and will again. Roughly 110 a shelf though but that is the going rate.

Download the rackshelf database here------->http://repnet.middleatlantic.com/rsh/RSHdataDepth.txt


The rackshelf part number is the same as the make and model #of your component. It also tells you the number of rackspaces each shelf will take up. Use this info to size your rack, don't forget to include vent spaces, storage, and room for future upgrades if needed.

I recommend downloading Racktools from the Middle Atlantic website. It is software used for doing rack drawings and generating take offs. It gives you overall dimensions as well. It's pretty easy to figure out and this way you can see what the rack will look like before you order anything.

I have a wall-mount 36" server rack from X-Mark

Here's the shelf the contractor built for it.



Here it is installed.



From the front



Wide view



I'm a network guy, which is why I went with a server rack. (I thought I'd save money, but that turned out not to be the case. I forgot about shipping charges.) I had originally planned on a floor-to-ceiling unit by the stairs, until my wife found the bar and I didn't have enough space. Room in the cabinet is starting to get tight, and I have yet to add a high-def disk player and cable box. The VCR will probably get punted. I like the look; it's clean and the glass is IR-transparent.

Hello:

I went with a Middle Atlantic rack + wheels.

Pic's below are the rack as delivered, empty and then full.

I have since added the top plate with the automatic fans, spacers and a 1U drawer.

I am very happy with the rack and the accessories that are available.

Splotto

Attached is a picture of the rack idea I have come up with using RackTools. Its a MA Slim 5


This is the link to a 3D rendered video of the HT design this will be going into (under the stairs.)
Home theater 3D rendering

Input welcome.

Check out the space I have to work with in the attachments here
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...chmentid=81559
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...chmentid=81560
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...chmentid=81561


My questions are, are the MA plates to fit components such as an Xbox360 easily ordered, do they come with the shelf that the component sits on and is there a way to get them cheaper than $167.41?





Full video:Full HT vid

Hello:

My MA rack didn't come with anything. I had to order the screws and shelves separately.

As for the plates, or ears as I started calling them - the only plates I am using are those that came with the items themselves. I am not sure you will find MA plates that match the screw holes in your separates.

You should also consider rear support if you have something really heavy. My AMP weighs about 125 lbs loaded and it wasn't going to be supported by just the plates. I had to add a self-made cross brace at the back to support the unit.

Splotto

[quote=Art Sonneborn]Here are a couple:





I love this rack the best! SPECIALLY THE BLONDE ONE SHE'S ANGELIC

My reciever, amps, UPS, video scaler...all will probably have "ears", but to get that clean look like Max Lomax's setup (in particular the Xbox360 and other game systems) I am going to want some perfectly pre-shaped cut out front panels. What is the best place to get them? Cheapest?

AWESOME!!!!

I got all my equipment from:

http://www.performanceaudio.com/

They say that they will do custom face plates for the MA racks if you provide the make and model of the item.

Splotto

Thanks, thats a great source for good prices on these products.

I finally get the custom panel/shelf thing. Here are the links:
http://repnet.middleatlantic.com/RSH/mainRSH.asp
http://www.performanceaudio.com/cgi/...oducts_id=2225
http://www.performanceaudio.com/medi...132/2225_s.pdf
I didn't realize the supporting shelf is all part of the deal. Looks easy to order, its just under the RSH part numbers.


Another question for Max Lomax or whoever. How do you get the rack to flushmount to the wood/wall around the rack like that? Just really precise measureing?

I dont want to end up with something like this guy where there are big gaps:

First you need rear axcess to the rack enclosure, since it is a fixed rack system and you can't pull it out. Then you have to mount rack rails directly to the trim. 19 1/8" width to be exact.
If you have to use a pullout rack, then a slight gap around it is necessary for service. Cut that as close as you want, but you don't want to damage the trim when you are servicing the rack. If you have a clever finish carpenter, he can probably figure out a way make the side trim removable during service, yet have it fasten right in tight to the rack once you've pushed it back in.

I could be more helpful if I knew your exact application.

Maybe you didn't see my post up above:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&#post10526860

Check out this picture
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...chmentid=81561

Down in the left corner of the picture you can see where the rack will mount behind the curtains.

Lol, no I didn't see that sorry..

Well, if having rear access is impossible, then you really can't do a fixed rail system like mine. Well, you could if you really knew what you were doing with these racks, but I'm not even going to attempt to tell you how, it wouldn't be a good recommendation.

Like I said, your best bet is to find a really good finish carpenter and tell him what sort of look you are going for, and get the rack ahead of time so he can have it there to work with. I'm sure they can get you pretty close.

Again, sorry about the miscommunication. I do in fact have rear access to the rack. It is in the wall under the stairs so the cubby room will allow me access to the back. I am planning the Slim 5 MA and I was going to have drywall/mud up to the edge. Think this will work or should I go with molding? I just want that clean look like you have--almost like the face plates are screwed right into the wall.

I can't really tell what is going on there from the pictures.

But ok. If you have rear access, then you don't need to buy a rack, just the front rails.(Like $40 bucks). You mount the rails directly to the trim. I cannot overstate the importance of designing the rack ahead of time and getting the materials in before you start, especially if you haven't done this before. The opening needs to be built around the rack, not the other way around.