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REVIEW: Michael Green Designs Deluxe Justarack Rack

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Model: Deluxe Justarack
Category: Rack
Suggested Retail Price: $699.00
Description: 5 shelf adjustable rack with 1.5 inch thick shelves
Manufacturer URL: Michael Green Designs
Model Picture: View

Review by Hantra on November 03, 2001 at 08:45:57
IP Address: 66.26.108.138
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Well, it has now been several months since I switched to this new rack. Originally, I had a Lovan Pyramid AVR rack for many years with all my gear on it.

It was when I heard about Michael Green theory that I became interested, and since I am kind of a tweaker, I built a rack myself. I enlisted the help of a MGD wizard (Jim Bookhard) to help me understand more about the theory.

Since I am never ready to accept anything new unless I can hear it, I wanted to DIY the rack, and see if it was BS, or if it was for real. Don't get me wrong, I am very open-minded. I don't think you can even listen to MG speak about audio unless you are open-minded. But I will say that I wanted to DIY the rack to get empirical evidence on how it works.

The long and short of it is that I built my own MGD-type Clamp Rack using a principal that is similar to their own design. I used real wood b/c it sounds better than MDF, and their most expensive racks (as well as instruments around the world) are made from wood. I really enjoyed the massive improvement I experienced going from my $650.00 rack to the $150 DIY rack. Of course it had many hours of sweat equity, but the sonic improvements were such that it wouldn't have mattered if it took me six months to build. It was worth it!

Anyway, let me get to the review. Upon the realization that the Clamp Rack, and MGD's theory really works as advertised, I decided to build my own version of Green's room treatments. The pseudo-PZC's that I built were another huge step toward improving my system.

While I enjoyed the experimentation, and rewards of this new way of thinking, I did believe that MGD's products would have to be better than my own. After all, they have many hours of R&D in all their products, and I am just building from scratch with only an idea of what I am really doing.

So, when I found a Deluxe Justarack online that was used, I went for it. I think I paid $350+ shipping for it. The Deluxe Justarack is almost the same as the Clamp Rack from what I understand, except it only has five shelves, so that only two components can be clamped in it. For those who are not sure what clamping is, it is a process whereby one is able to change the sonic characteristics of a piece of gear by maintaining control of resonances that are present in every system. I could get more in depth, but for the scope of this review, just know that it takes two shelves. On the bottom of the piece of gear, there are spikes, and on top, a spike, or a MGD Harmonic Foot which is similar to a spike, but gives a smoother sound.

When I got the rack together, I changed out my DIY rack with the new rack. I was astonished at how beautiful the finish is on the rack. They use some special type of finish that not only controls resonance, but it is really nice looking! By controlling resonance, I am not talking about damping. Just to forewarn you. . .

So, I fire up the system, and instantly I notice an improvement in sound. At the same time, I noticed that my high frequency information was missing, and it terrified me.

After speaking about my concerns with Jim, and with Gary at MGD, I figured out that some of it was my equipment, and some of it may be the rack. Gary says that since it was MDF, and not real wood, it shouldn't sound as good. Their best racks are real wood, and will sound better than MDF.

A week of doubts, and questions on the board, and to my buddy Ray Kimber inspired me to setup the other rack. What I noticed was astonishing. Someone on the board posted something that made me think. I don't recall who it was, maybe CutThroat. . . Anyway, he said that when the high-end clears up, it can seem that they are weaker, and may seem to go away a bit.

After putting the old rack back in place, and listening to a few systems around town with the same music, I decided that my highs were not gone at all. They had just cleared up! It seems that when I built my DIY rack, my finishing job was not as good as it could have been, and I laid it on kinda thick. According to Jim, and Gary, this can make it much brighter. My DIY rack was actually exaggerating the highs!

After I sat back down with the Justarack, I noticed that not only were my highs all there, but they were very clear, and very three-dimensional. One thing I noticed about going to the MGD rack is that the sound took on a life of its own. Almost like I was really there. I know that people say that all the time, but this is different.

I heard a sweet system yesterday with Linn Klimax's, and a CD-12 mated with some Linn speaks. It was a wonderful experience, and it was very "live". But this effect of the MGD rack is different. It surrounds you as if you are actually in a concert hall. . . Lastnight, I saw Keb Mo in a theater that seats only 1000, and it was so spectacular. THAT'S the kind of effect I am talking about. Intimacy. . .

Also, a really cool thing is that the background of the music now is completely black. It is so quiet! The only thing quieter I have ever heard are the Klimax's! And the only power conditioning I use now is a Quantum Symphony!

To sum it up, I will say that since implementing the new rack, along with my other experiments using the Green philosophy, my system is better than ever! As a matter of fact, I rarely hear anything that affects me quite the same as my system does now. I am looking forward to doing more with it to take it to another level, and now that I have proof, I am going to go all the way.

If you have any questions about my review, or my experiences, feel free to mail me.

B


Product Weakness: It's HEAVY!!!!!
Product Strengths: Supernatural live quality to the sound. Velvety black background. . .


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Arcam AVR-100
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Marantz CD-48
Speakers: Aliante Pininfarina Stile
Cables/Interconnects: Kimber KKSV, PBJ, Homegrown Lace
Music Used (Genre/Selections): All
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Michael Green Designs Deluxe Justarack Rack - Hantra 08:45:57 11/3/01 ( 8)