Manufacturer: Audiav
Country of origin: USA
Model number: Zirconia 4/5 shelf rack
Price: $2145 4 shelf/$2380 5 platform configurations with standard shelves, options additonal
Website: http://www.audiav.com
NOTE: The pictures in this article don't do justice to the quality of the rack
BACKSTORY
My
rack was rickety. Its bolt-into-twisting-camlock construction was
protesting the burden of over a hundred pounds of gear. And now, with my
long planned return to vinyl, a heavy turntable was slated to crown it.
Rickety won’t do.
The
target: something solid, attractive and flexible. As I swap in and out review
components, the only feature sought of a rack was infinitely adjustable
shelves, i.e. no fixed height points for them. Simple right? And
then I started reading the sound quality claims. You can spend $10,000 on
a rack. Easily.
I
can understand the value of a rigid platform for a mechanical device like a
turntable. Electronics? Reading reviews and testimonials about the major
sonic improvement an expensive rack wrought, I go to BS Alert Level: Orange. Orange
too on hyperbole about the
transformative effects of cones, points, spikes, blocks, pucks, pods,
rollers, bladders, and quantum quieters. If the effect was
transformative, either a): the component was screwed up to begin with,
b): the change is likely for the worse, or capital C): the power of
suggestion is strong. Further, the expensive components that will
go on a top tier rack are likely of robust build or even overbuilt – do they
need more vibration control? For the curious, I'd start with a $20 set of
Vibrapods.
Some
racks claim multiple resonances that cancel each other out. Others have a
series of points/cones that either drain vibration or isolate the component
from it, couple or decouple, depending on who you ask. And when.
Only thing I know cones do do is make the components appear heavier at
their contact points with the shelf – effective mass loading. Pressure =
force/area. When in doubt, physics.
As
with all things audiophile these days, simple can get complicated fast.
STORY
Enter
the Audiav Ziconia rack which falls into the shelves-on-metal-frame genre.
Think of the i-beam skeleton of a five story building. Now lay shelves on
each floor as defined by the horizontal box of crossbeams. Like most
infinitely adjustable racks, a tongue and groove system is employed. For
the Zirconia, this means an octagonal post at each corner, cut to any height
the customer requires. Running the length of each side of the post is a
groove into which the ‘tongue’ of the horizontally running struts fits.
Turning the screw next to the tongue causes it to expand in the groove, locking
the strut in place. Very neat and well executed. Clever too
in that the octagonal post design allows the addition of load reinforcement or
shelving in eight directions – it’s an easy-to-customize system.
Using
the supplied torx wrench, a 180 degree turn secures the mechanism.
Pressure increases toward the end of the turn then quickly releases, letting
you know the strut is locked. There’s no guesswork as to how tight to
make the connection. And torx is a good choice here – even with frequent
reuse, it’s difficult to strip.
The
finished frame reminds of a shark cage, it’s that tight and rigid despite no
screws or connecting welds among the components. Those are some
strong-tongued struts. Repeat that ten times.
Each
strut is fitted with two visco-elastic domes, larger but similar to those you
can find on the inside of a cabinet door. Laying a shelf on these
decouples it from the metal structure. Two struts typically
supports a shelf, but if you need more load bearing ability, extra struts can
crossed underneath.
Tolerances
are tight too. Within a pair of joined posts, the struts slide up and
down cleanly with no wiggle. Lock one side, and the other is at exactly
the same height on the opposite post. The practical gain of this
precision is that the shelving is easy to level. Coming from
Salamander-style rigs where you have to level four independent nuts or sliders,
it’s a godsend.
As
for shelving choices, stock includes carbon fiber, maple, acrylic, and the base
composite (cellulose/resin) I chose. Sonically, they all have
different resonant properties which may interface differently with components.
You can also move up the ladder with thicker or combined versions of the above.
Topping off my rack is a composite signature platform – two shelves sandwiching
materials designed to mechanically and electrically isolate the top surface.
On such a throne would sit my turntable.
A
pair of amp stands for my Audio Research 210 monos rounded out the package.
Multiple footers; cones, spikes, casters and the leveling feet I chose are part
of an extensive collection of accessories.
SOUND/CONCLUSION
In
a brief check, I was unable to hear the difference between my ARC amps on their
stands and on the floor. I highly doubt that another rack would make
a difference either, so this is absolutely not a knock on the Zirconia. Further,
if you do suspect vibration or electromagnetic interference may be degrading
performance of a component, Audiav has shelving and shielding options from the
Signature series that are designed to address this in a way that my Standard
shelves are not.
Racks
(by any manufacturer) and cones, endless cable tweaking and so on may make a
small difference, but the opportunity cost is time that could have been spent
simply listening. For me it’s neuroses without adequate payoff.
After making such calculations in my life, I’ve generally walked away.
Very
tangible though is the solid design of these racks. They are rigid,
easily customizable in look and layout, and construction is dead simple.
While not cheap, I found nothing cheaper that provided the same infinite
adjustability combined with rigidity and ease of build. The Zirconias are
far more rigid, for example, than the less expensive Salamander and Studiotech
stuff I’ve owned. Moving up the Audiav ladder to the Crystal and Diamond series’
yields even more robust construction and vibration control. Their
comprehensive website details the models, options, and principles behind the
designs of the racks. It favors information over hype.
As
with all things audiophile these days, simple can get complicated fast.
But only if you let it.
I’ve
bought my last rack.
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