I was originally looking at the BDI Octave but the price increase got me thinking that I should know about other options if there are any. I’m looking for:
About 5 feet wide
Deep enough for most components. I would guess that’s over 1 foot.
Must allow height for most components. I would guess around 8 inches or a little more.
I would prefer something that’s not open, I want to hide my wires
Doors must allow IR passthrough
Classy, wood
Closer to $2k than $3k unless it’s a truly amazing piece of furniture
Basically what the BDI offers. But if there’s better out there for the same or cheaper that’d be great. I’m years out of college now and I want my furniture pieces to be something respectible and long lasting, y’know?
I love the BDI stuff too and thought i was imagining the prices going up since last time i looked.
One suggestion is many house and yard sales have that mid century furniture still hanging around from the mid century. If youre handy enough you can modify them.
I quite like the look of these (Berlin is my favorite). But I can’t seem to find prices anywhere. I do have a dealer nearby though… however, it’d be nice to have a guestimate before I before I go calling stores.
Heat is your enemy, remember that. I moved away from closed cabinetry years ago for that reason. A/V gear in closed cabinets needs fans to push air, not a fan made that can push enough air to be effective that I can’t hear despite how deaf my GF says I am.
Otherwise at your price range, I would look to have something custom made with my own personal choice of wood and finish (within limits, gets expensive fast) and to my own dimensions
One thing I’m not sure whether I should be concerned about is the feet of the Erco and gsx mini poking through the rails. Should I get a wooden board to rest the two amps on?
Sorry if this looks cursed lol, I haven’t powered anything on.
The feet are there to allow air circulation under the component (which shoul be fine sitting on a wire shelf) and to provide isolation from the shelf.
How much the second part really matters is something you have to decide for yourself.
You’re probably giving up something with the wire shelves, not least of which it almost certainly resonates at audible frequencies, but in the end I wouldn’t overthink it.
That looks about as wide as an audio rack, check to be sure but the monoprice rack is cheap (compared to audiophile furniture) and will look and perform better…
I would find some wooden boards to put on the shelving, if for no other reason I can see a foot getting stuck, pulling off, etc. if/when you need to shift a component around.
