Salamander Archetype 3.0 - 3-Shelf Audio Rack - Real Walnut Wood

The Salamander Archetype 3.0 — Three Shelves That Go Exactly Where You Want Them

Most racks decide the spacing for you. On the Archetype 3.0, each of the three shelves is held between nuts and washers on threaded steel rods, and you can put it anywhere along them. There are no notches, no pegs and no fixed positions to design your system around.

This is the compact member of the Archetype family: three shelves, 28 inches tall, 23 inches wide and 16 inches deep. It can grow later if your system does.

Will It Hold Your Heaviest Component?

A Hundred and Fifty Pounds on Every Shelf

Each shelf is rated for 150 pounds, which works out to 450 pounds across all three. A heavy integrated amplifier does not have to live on the bottom level, so you can put it wherever your cabling reaches most easily, and the lighter components fill in around it.

Measure 19.25 Inches Between the Rods

Shelves are three-quarters of an inch thick and 23 inches wide by 16 deep, but the figure that decides fit is the 19.25 inches of clear space between the steel rods, which are 5/8 inch in diameter. Check your widest component against that number first.

Three Shelves Now, More Later

The design is modular, so you can add or remove shelves as your equipment changes. When one rack is full, the

Neoprene Between the Shelf and the Steel

Shelves are held firmly in place above and below by energy-damping neoprene washers, steel washers and steel nuts. Salamander designed this so vibration does not travel from one component to the next through the frame.

Underneath, you choose what meets the floor. Salamander offers spike feet and casters for the Archetype, such as these

Setting It Up Without a Second Pass

Some assembly is required. You thread the hardware onto the rods, set each shelf where you want it and tighten the nuts above and below. Decide your shelf heights while the rack is empty, because the same nuts are the ones you would otherwise loosen later with gear in the way.

Black Ash, Real Cherry or Real Walnut

Choose Black Ash, or shelves in real cherry or real walnut. Real wood means the grain varies from shelf to shelf, so no two racks look quite alike. Salamander handcrafts the Archetype in the U.S.A.

See It in Action

A build walkthrough of the Archetype system, worth watching before you plan shelf heights:

And a Salamander conversation about the Archetype range:

Who Is the Salamander Archetype 3.0 Best For?

• You own heavy gear — 150 pounds per shelf
• Your components differ in height — each gets its own clearance
• You want real wood in the room — cherry or walnut, or Black Ash
• Your system will change — add shelves or stack a second rack with the Archetype Stacking Kit
• You want accessories later — spike feet, casters and a drawer

Pairs Well With

• Archetype single shelves — an extra level for the rack you own
• Archetype Stacking Kit — joins two Archetype racks into one larger rack
• Isolation feet and platforms — extra support under a component
• Interconnects — plan your cable runs once the shelf heights are set

Frequently Asked Questions

How much weight will each shelf hold?

Each shelf holds up to 150 pounds, so a fully loaded three-shelf rack is rated for 450 pounds. The shelves are three-quarters of an inch thick and sit on 5/8-inch threaded steel rods.

Is this the three-shelf or the five-shelf Archetype?

This is the Archetype 3.0, with three shelves and a height of 28 inches. The Archetype 5.0 is the five-shelf model, and the Archetype 2.0 has two.

Will my tall amplifier fit between the shelves?

Usually, because you set the gap. Measure your tallest component and place the shelf above it, then check its width against the 19.25 inches between the rods.

Can I add a shelf or stack a second rack?

Yes, the design is modular, so shelves can be added or removed. To stack two Archetype racks into a larger one, use the Stacking Kit.

How hard is it to assemble?

It is a nuts-and-washers job rather than a snap-together one, which is the trade for spacing you control. Decide your shelf heights first and it goes together in one pass.

What does the warranty cover?

Salamander covers the Archetype for five years on parts and labor. Keep the original box and packing materials in case it has to be shipped for service.

Why Audio Advisor?

• 40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.
• 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.
• Real Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.
• Free Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.
• Flexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.

Learn More

Want to learn more about setting up a system, managing vibration, or choosing the right support for your gear? Visit the Audio Advisor Learning Center for buying guides, setup advice, and answers from people who do this every day.

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov