New rack with pictures

[Staxxx]

@Prem, I am interested to know more about your Acoustic System International room resonators. I assume these are the little cups on Brazilian rosewood designed by Frank Tchang? I went the Steinmusic route rather than resonators in my small space and am quite surprisingly happy with it.

@AmitKumar, just wanted to say your knowledge of wood is impressive. One of the first degrees that I did was as a material scientist specialized in wood. Shisham's sapwood is attractive to wood borers so care must be taken to treat it. However, its heartwood is fine and resistant to termites. Some varieties of rosewood are an endangered species and its logging is highly regulated. It takes so long to grow and is so dense that it is one of the few species that sinks in water (relative density more than 1). It can be more expensive weight for weight than gold!

 

[prem]

Hi Staxxx

Yes these are Franck Tchang resonators. I use 6 of them. 1 copper, 1 special gold, 1 gold, 3 silver.

In my present set up with only 2 watts of amplification, i needed minimal absorption and damping. That's been the underlying principle of my set up. I use unshielded power cords, interconnects. The tonewood rack is a step in that direction.

To come to your question, the resonators do not absorb anything. They are extremely sensitive to placement. You can err by a max of 2mm only. Else they mess up the sound. With the resonators, no other room treatment is required. They do everything a full fledged room treatment of absorbers and diffusers would do. Previously i have had Real Trap panels. These are very very different. For them to function effectively, i feel one should avoid using any panels or traps with them.

 

[ranjeetrain]

hi,

A cooperative society called Rubco from Kerala makes premuim quality panels from rubberwood, they are available in various thicknesses and are pre treated for termites etc.

rubberwood is lighter in weight as compared to sheesham(indian rose wood), however i am not sure how rubberwood impact the sound quality.

best option is well treated Teak wood, with little bit of hard search you can get wider panels of teak wood at premuim price. Few weeks back a saw mill owner offered me teak wood pieces of width of abt 16 inches.

Today multiple solutions are available to make the wood termites proof like the ones recommended by Capt. Rajesh. Also there are chemicals available that can directly be used by the carpentars or the users. Only time will tell how successful they are. Termites may build resistance to these chemicals over next few years to come.

Rubberwood is a great alternative for general furniture, but not sure how it will do as a hifi rack. Rubberwood is gaining widespread popularity in China due to it's multiple advantages. Besides it also happens to be cheaper compared to teak.

Would you please pm me the contact details of rubco? Thanks in advance.

 

[sarith]

Rubberwood is a great alternative for general furniture, but not sure how it will do as a hifi rack. Rubberwood is gaining widespread popularity in China due to it's multiple advantages. Besides it also happens to be cheaper compared to teak.

Would you please pm me the contact details of rubco? Thanks in advance.

Rubco is not exactly cheap. I have been to their local showroom. Pretty good stuff. RUBCO - Kerala State Rubber Co-operative Ltd

 

[Nikhil]

prem, just curious to know what changes came about with your new rack?

 

[prem]

Hi Nikhil

The new rack to my ears improves flow and harmonics.