Topic: A/V Rack - ISO Rack Ears

[RyanJ]

Getting to the point where I have a bunch of gear and multiple power sources that I need to organize. Looking to get an AV rack to manage all of the transfer equipment I have and add two power racks in the unit. My wife would really appreciate the cable management lol. The list of stuff I’ll be powering.

2014 Mac Mini
10” reference monitor
Nakamichi CR-3
Marantz PMD 620
Tascam DA-20
2x Sony HVR-15au DV decks
Sony MD deck
NTSC JVC VCR
PAL Panasonic VCR
JVC A/V Selector
TBC-1000
Pyle Step Up/Down Converter

Here are some questions I have:

1. Is there a power rack that is also a power conditioner? I’ve been seeing Furman may be my best option? But I’ve read places that not all these rack units are true “power conditioners.” I’ve noticed that the power at my home is noisy and creates a hum on playback of my cassette/VCRs.

Furman AC-215A Compact Power Conditioner with Auto-Resetting Voltage Protection - Black https://a.co/d/e20e2BS

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/584422-REG/Furman_PL_PLUS_C_PL_PLUS_C_Power_Conditioner.html#mo

2. Anyone recommend a good AV rack? I am probably looking for a 20U rack.

Appreciate the help!

[voltronic]

I really like the all-steel Middle Atlantic racks, but they are VERY expensive. You didn't say if you need wheels, wall-mount, etc.

This one looks decent and is way cheaper:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1260030-REG/auray_ers_22u_ers_22u_steel_equipment.html

There is also this MA 20U rack with laminate sides:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/293651-REG/Middle_Atlantic_RK20_Woodgrain_Laminate_Rack.html


Yes, the power units that often come with rack enclosures are typically just power strips. That Furman PL Plus unit looks good, but not enough outlets for all of your gear. Either buy two of them, or maybe one of these:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1642251-REG/black_lion_audio_pg_2_studio_grade_power_conditioner.html

[RyanJ]

I really like the all-steel Middle Atlantic racks, but they are VERY expensive. You didn't say if you need wheels, wall-mount, etc.

This one looks decent and is way cheaper:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1260030-REG/auray_ers_22u_ers_22u_steel_equipment.html

There is also this MA 20U rack with laminate sides:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/293651-REG/Middle_Atlantic_RK20_Woodgrain_Laminate_Rack.html


Yes, the power units that often come with rack enclosures are typically just power strips. That Furman PL Plus unit looks good, but not enough outlets for all of your gear. Either buy two of them, or maybe one of these:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1642251-REG/black_lion_audio_pg_2_studio_grade_power_conditioner.html

I think just rollers would be fine. So I can move this around if I need to. I think I am just happy to have some cable management and declutter everything.

Thanks for the Black Lion recommendation. Do you have any experience with them?

[rocksuitcase]

I can rec Furman in that we used them for a mid size PA house and stage rigs in the 1980's. Back then, solid build quality.
I've seen a few in use these days and no one complains.

Re Black Lion:

Premium Components for Premium Sound and Protection
The PG-2 is built using premium Panasonic and Wima capacitors, due to their superior execution in eliminating high frequency noise that robs equipment of its peak performance. In testing, this has provided an average of 99.7% of noise filtering, as opposed to the typical average of 85% found in other power conditioners at the same price point.

Big bonus using Wima caps. Seems worth the price.

[opsopcopolis]

Unless you want something specific (wood, extra deep, silent, built in fan, etc...) a rack is kinda just a rack. I've got a shitty plastic 16u gator one and a nice travel 4u SKB one and they both serve their purpose just fine. Most people get on fine with a furman, but it's true that some models are not really surge protectors, so if you're really worried about surges for whatever reason, something like the black lion would be better. Could even go as far as looking into a UPS if you're worried about losing power.

Don't forget some flush cutters for your cable management. Nobody likes getting sliced up by tie wraps

[voltronic]

Don't forget some flush cutters for your cable management. Nobody likes getting sliced up by tie wraps

Don't use zip ties. Velcro strips are much better, and can be reused if you need to alter your wiring bundles.

https://www.velcro.com/products/best-sellers/900604__one-wrap-rolls/

[mountainhop]

has anybody used any of the On Stage racks?

[goodcooker]

When I reached a point that I needed to rack my transfer gear I went with this bundle from B&H - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1403930-REG/auray_ers_12u_equipment_rack_with.html

For the amount of gear you want to fit in it you would want something more like this 22u rack that Voltronic mentioned above - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1403928-REG/auray_ers_22u_equipment_rack_with.html

I compared a lot of prices and options and this bundle was the best deal IMO. The Furman power conditioner does a fine job and I've never had a problem with interference even though my 100 year old house has dimmers installed on the same circuit as the outlet I run the rack from (which can be a big pain). Having the drawer has been very handy and keeps tapes, cables, etc close at hand and tidy.

Here's what my 12u looks like all racked up - https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=189743.0

If you need to put in gear that doesn't have rack ears you are going to need multiple shelves. Check the depth of the rack shelves some of them aren't deep enough to accommodate DAT decks and such.

[Scooter123]

You're gonna need a full 6 foot rack. 

Brand does not matter, and features will determine brand. 

The features I would recommend would be

1.  Clip Tool.  These help attach the audio equipment ears to the rack, in lieu of a screwdriver.  Readily available.

2.  Shelves.  Not everything has rack mount ears, so a couple shelves to place UPS, Computer and Monitor would really help.  Sliders are nice for units that are often disconnected.  Don't forget a keyboard tray.

3.  Gooseneck Light Receiver.  The BNC connections make life easier to have multiple lights and switch them out, clear or red, as necessary.  I'd recommend at least two of these, placed high and low.  They look really cool like an old school MacIntosh amplifier. 

4.  Casters.  You'll want to move this around to make connections, so this is really important.

5.  Consider Stackable Racks.  Something like a Plastic Gator Rack won't hold all your gear, but they stack and are easier to move around that a full 6 foot rack.  Preference thing.  Roadies use these. 

I think you may find better accessories if you forget about audio racks, which are typically shorter and are found at B&H or Sweetwater, and instead focus on server racks, which have more accessories.  I got mine from Rackmount Solutions.  PM me and I can send pictures of my rack.  Or if you are a perv, I'll send you pictures of my wife's rack. 

[lsd2525]

Check around for local used computer equipment businesses. I'm betting you can find a used server rack for cheap and outfit it like you wish.

[RyanJ]

Server racks look a bit deep for what I am looking for. Just by looking at what is available around me on craigslist.

I think for the most part I am going to use shelves. I have been looking for rack mounts for the Tascam DAT deck (which I have found) and the Nakamichi CR3 cassette deck. But I am not sure where to look for rack ears for particular decks. Both of these decks came with them when I bought them second hand and I threw them out. Thinking I would never need them. That was 10+ years ago before I started to amass all this transfer gear.

@goodcooker - I remember back in the day seeing your setup and this pipped my interest to doing it now!

Velcro will be the way to go. I got like a 300 pack from amazon.

Thank you for all the suggestions. As this project will be done over the coming months, I hope to have it done by the beginning of the year! I just purchased the rack from B&H!

[Blakeq]

Check around for local used computer equipment businesses. I'm betting you can find a used server rack for cheap and outfit it like you wish.

This is a great suggestion

Also Craigslist, OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace or other online classified ads are great places to pick up used racks and rack shelves/ trays.

[opsopcopolis]

Don't forget some flush cutters for your cable management. Nobody likes getting sliced up by tie wraps

Don't use zip ties. Velcro strips are much better, and can be reused if you need to alter your wiring bundles.

https://www.velcro.com/products/best-sellers/900604__one-wrap-rolls/

Ah yeah fair. I have a mix, but need zip ties to keep things in place in parts of my rack

[RyanJ]

So, I finally got all the components I needed to make this A/V rack happen! Thanks for all the recommendations. Not sure if I want to use the imac on top or just keep the Mac Mini (top of rack) with an external monitor. We'll see...

From top to bottom.

Mac Mini
TBC-1000 + Blackmagic Thunderbolt Shuttle
JVC A/V Selector
JVC NTSC VCR
Panasonic PAL VCR
Black Lion Audio PG-2 power conditioner/surge protector
Nakamichi CR-3
BBE
2x Sony HVR-15au DV decks
Sony MD Deck

Not shown is my Tascam DAT deck. I have a collection of master DATs that have put 3 of my tascam DA-20's in to the ground. That will be on the bottom. I need to order two more shelves. Last thing I want to switch out is the Marantz PMD 671 for a Tascam SS-R250N just because I can place that in the rack.

This comes to my last question... Does anyone know where you can purchase ear racks for some of these units? I'd really love to have them all screwed in to the unit instead of on shelves. I have found some for the Tascam DAT deck. But I'd love them for the VCRs, Nakamichi deck (I purchased it with ears 13 years ago but threw them out cause I can't hoard and didn't think id need them...)

I don't think I have been either 1) searching the right parameters or 2) I have exhausted all search engines/parameters and they really don't make universal rack ears for these devices anymore and I have to keep looking on ebay.

Thanks for looking!

[Scooter123]

I found mine on Craigslist and eBay from broken units sold for parts, but you'll pay about $150-150 for these broken units.   I have several broken units which I cannibalize for parts. 

There is a set of rack mounts on eBay right now for $100.  That would be more than I would want to pay, but maybe they are to your liking.