Seemingly everyone makes an equipment rack of some form or another these days with varying degrees of success, however for best results you're better off going with a third party or specialty equipment rack. The problem with going with an esoteric rack manufacturer is that you often end up paying a lot of money for that esoteric status and not for performance. Well, the Samson V.1 from Mapleshade, is about as esoteric as they come yet unlike other brands their equipment racks actually work and work well.

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• Find audiophile grade source components to stack on the V.1.

You're probably thinking to yourself that the Samson uses some high end unnamed composite product or features a fully suspended or counter balanced design, which wouldn't be unfounded, however it utilizes none of those things, in fact, it relies on the power of maple. Who knew Mother Nature was such an audiophile. That's right the Samson V.1 is about as straightforward and low tech as they come, utilizing your choice of two or four-inch thick air-dried maple shelves, coupled to four threaded black or silver uprights (poles) with brass nuts and footers.

At first glance the rack, while nicely finished, does seem a bit like a DIY design but unlike DIY knockoffs you can tell where the professional know-how and expertise has come into play. The fit and finish is excellent and once assembled the Samson V.1 is about as solid as a slab of granite.

The Samson V.1's shelves are infinitely adjustable thanks to its threaded rod design, however the shelves themselves are rather standard in size at 23 and a half inches wide by 15 inches deep. For more vibration control you can choose a thicker slab of maple but the shelf dimensions remain the same. Fully assembled the Samson v.1 is 25 inches tall from the floor to the top shelf in the two-shelf version and can go as high as 49 inches in a four-shelf variety. Prices start at $535 for a two-shelf version and can go as high as $1,800 for a pimped out four-shelf version. All Samson V.1 racks are sold direct via Mapleshade's own website and come complete with a 30-day money back guarantee.