Extrema Evolution MX14

Back Story: After 2 years of building a Parasound Hi-Fi system, with the last components, the JC 2BP Preamplifier and the JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier it was time to organize the components into some type of proper rack system. After looking around for a while I found myself back at Class A Audio and looking at the Extrema Evolution MX14 Audio Rack.… Read more

Extrema Evolution MX14 Audio Rack:

As described on the company and Class A Audio websites, this rack system is a modular design that you can build in a variety of configurations.

For me, I need two short racks for two large power amplifiers and a four-stack rack for preamplifier, photo preamplifier, DAC and turntable.

I wanted tops or shelves for each power amplifier rack and for the main centre rack, for the turntable to sit on. I wanted the extra shelves on the left and right of the main rack for accessories and perhaps a second or third turntable.

So, after careful consideration, checking the measurements and weights of all my components, I went with the Extrema Evolution MX14 Audio Rack system. The ‘table’ part of the rack system is not a flat board or platform, no, it is a 10 mm solid piece of iron ‘X’ shaped plate, with a groove cut down each of the four arms to the ‘X’ shape. Each ‘Shelf’ can support 80 Kg, which is plenty for my units.

The leg supports come in 190 mm and 220 mm lengths for each plate or shelf, so you can choose what suits your components.

I worked out a decent price with Kevin from Class A Audio and he ordered in the system.

Setting Up:

Kevin from Class A Audio had to sort out the components I wanted and pack them into three boxes, as he can put together any configuration you want.

The ‘X’ shaped plates were easy to screw together with the tubular legs, made of thick metal, I believe to be aluminum.

It took only an hour to put together the rack and have them in place with the components on each support or shelf.

However, the hi-fi components need to sit on a little rubber tubular grommet, which sits in the groove of each arm of the plate. You have to move the rubber grommet up and down each arm, until you have the component balanced and sitting properly on the plate or shelf.

It is best for the rubber grommet to sit directly underneath the chassis of each hi-fi component and not underneath the feet of the hi-fi component. This aids stability and you can push each of the rubber grommets next to each of the four feet of each hi-fi component.

Readjustment of components got a bit tricky when one component was not sitting exactly in the middle of the ‘X’ shaped plate. If you needed to adjust one of the grommets or all of them, it meant either removing the hi-fi component from the plate or shelf and moving all four rubber grommets or adjusting one grommet at a time, while holding up the hi-fi component (no easy task!).

I found it best to move the hi-fi unit to the right position first. This caused some of the rubber gromets to fall on their sides, which meant you had to lift that corner of the hi-fi unit up and move that grommet up or down the arm of the ‘X’.

There was a moment when I thought I had lost one of the rubber grommets and had to search around the floor for it, while I was making final adjustments to the hi-fi components.

Once the fine tuning was done, the system looked like a million dollars, really!

Since installing each component on the first day, and the minor adjustments made, I have not had to readjust them since.

The hi-fi components now just sit on each plate or shelf, as if floating in air.

Airflow and Easy of Access:

I have found this plate-type rack system to be excellent for minimising how hot the components get and also have found it easy to access the rear of hi-fi components and plug in and out cables, as you can move your hands at a full range of angles, to get to the rear ports of a hi-fi component, whereas a solid shelf would have got in the way.

Other features:

Each shelf top comes with a bubble level as well, so you can adjust each leg at the bottom, to find the correct level.

Adaptable Configurations for Future Requirements:

If I want to add more hi-fi components to my system in the future, all I need to do is buy another set of leg tubes and another ‘X’ shape plate or shelf and can then build up each rack or even build another separate rack if I want to.

I can also add spikes under each plate, to isolate each plate from the plate beneath it. At this stage I didn’t think it was necessary, but I can do that easily in the future.

Summary:

Overall, I found the Extrema Evolution MX14 Audio Rack easy to set up and use. Once all hi-fi components are in place, fully seated and level, you don’t need to do anything except enjoy the music.

I understand why the rubber grommets (soft moulded adjustable suspension) are removeable, but I think if they were somehow screwable to each of the arms of each plate or shelf, from underneath, it would make it a little easier to adjust components or move components around.

If I were to score the Extrema Evolution MX14 Audio Rack out of 100, I would give it 95. Once the rubber grommets were fixed and slidable, it would be a 100% perfect system.

Another Ant Review: This has been another Ant review. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have in compiling it.