104 TONEA U D I O NO.72

�� � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��� � � � � � � �� � � � �� � � � � � �� ! � � � � " " ! � � " � # � � � � $� �� # # � � � " � � # � # � " � % ! # � & � � � � # & � ' � � ( � � ) � � � # ' $ � % " ' � � #�*+ ! � # � , � � � � " �� � -. � � � � � / ' � & � � � # " ! � � ! � � " � �� /� % � / � # � #�# � , " � % ! # � & � � � � � , � " ! � � � " � #� � # � � � � #� � $� � � � "� # � � ! � #�( � � $� � � # % � � " � # � # % � � � � / & � � � & ' �* 0 # � � � � � " �� � - � � � � � �� # � �� # � % � � $ " � � � �� ! " ! � � � � # � ' � 1 � # � � � � # $ � % � & � "� *2 34 35 6 7 8 7 9 :; <= > ? <@ABCDE FBGHICJKLM

S ER I E S

PRE S T IGEN

T O N E S T Y L E

hile many argue about the

sonic effects of a good hi� rack,

you can count us in the plus

category. With so many different

con�gurations to choose from,

and some having more bene�t

than others, the Grand Stand

XL you see here is a winner for

many reasons.

First, they are handmade

in the UK with care and pride.

Second, they feature hardwood

construction, so they will

stand the test of time, thanks

to no veneers to separate or

incur damage. Small nicks

and scratches should be

easily smoothed over without

worry. HiFi Racks Limited

offers a number of standard

con�gurations, which should

cover most gear, but should you

need something special, they

also build bespoke racks to your

speci�cation. A wonderful thing

for those with oddly shaped

gear, large or small.

Seven standard �nishes are

available, with color options

here:

www.hi�racks.co.uk/wood-

choices.php

(continued)

HiFi Racks Limited

–Grand Stand XL

W$700/tier

www.hi�racks.co.uk

J u n e 2 0 1 5 107

When it’s time to go digital

MARANTZ NA-11S1

Reference DSD DAC

MYTEK Stereo 192 DSD DAC

MICROMEGA MyDAC

SONY HAP-Z1ES DSD Audio Player

NAD D1050 DAC

BENCHMARK DAC2 HGC

WADIA 121 DAC

800.449.8333 | MUSICDIRECT.COM

JUST ASK THE EXPERTS

T O N E S T Y L E

Again, if these are not to

your liking, custom options are

available; you merely need to

discuss with the friendly people

at HiFi Racks Limited.

They arrive straight from the

UK to your door via UPS, and

the packaging is superb. Inside

the padded box is everything

you need to assemble a �rst-

rate audio rack, which should

take you about 10–15 minutes if

you’re taking your time. As you

can see, the shelves are decou-

pled with spikes, making for an

easy move in the listening room

should you decide to rearrange.

Once set up and in place,

the Grand Stand XL makes for

an attractive, yet understated,

addition to your listening room.

While we could not notice a

mind-bending change to the

sound after moving reference

components from our SRA

Scuttle rack, the Grand Stand

XL does not muddy, blur or oth-

erwise degrade the sound. Its

solid wood shelves also do not

ring or vibrate like many we’ve

heard made from glass or MDF.

If you like the aesthetic, we

highly suggest the Grand Stand

XL, especially considering how

easy it is to assemble and the

company’s willingness to cus-

tom build. There is nothing

worse than great components

that don’t quite �t on a rack.

Like a bespoke tailor, HiFi Racks

Limited makes for a perfect �t

with your system. And like the

perfect frame for a piece of art,

there’s nothing like that extra bit

of presentation to go along with

great performance.