Salamander Archetype 5.0 - 5-Shelf Audio Rack

The Salamander Archetype 5.0 — Five Shelves You Place Yourself

Most racks fix the spacing for you. On the Archetype 5.0, four threaded steel rods run the full height, and each of the five shelves is clamped between nuts you set anywhere along them. There are no notches, pegs or fixed slots to plan around.

The rack is 23 inches wide, 36 inches tall and 16 inches deep. When a component is swapped for a taller one, you move a shelf instead of replacing the rack.

Will It Hold Your Heaviest Component?

150 Pounds on Every Shelf

Salamander rates each shelf at 150 pounds, and the rack as a whole at 750. Because the figure applies to every level, a heavy power amplifier does not have to live on the bottom shelf.

Measure Against 19.25 Inches

Each shelf is 23 inches wide, 16 inches deep and three quarters of an inch thick. The figure that decides whether a component fits is the 19.25 inches of clear space between the steel rods, so check your widest piece against that number.

The Rubber Washers Are the Point

Every shelf is held firmly above and below by an energy-damping neoprene washer, a steel washer and a steel nut. The aim is to stop vibration passing between components.

Choose What Meets the Floor

The rack ships with its own feet, so what sits beneath them is your decision. Mega Spikes add 2.25 inches of height, and Salamander includes floor protectors with them for hard floors.

Give the Hot Box Room to Breathe

An open frame has no back panel, no side panels and no doors, so warm air leaves a component without meeting anything. A warm-running amplifier can also be given several inches of clear air above it.

What Building It Actually Involves

This is a nuts-and-washers job, not a snap-together one, and a wrench handles all the tightening. Steel and neoprene washers sandwich each shelf on both faces, which holds it firmly wherever you set it.

Set your shelf heights while the rack is empty, with your tallest component beside you. Level it front to back and side to side, and tighten the top nuts last of all.

Black Ash or Real Wood

Black Ash shelves are powder-coated MDF with a micro-textured black finish. The Cherry and Walnut finishes use real hardwood, so grain and tone vary a little from shelf to shelf.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Audio-head reviewed the Archetype 5.0 on September 18, 2012, and concluded, "When all is said and done, the Salamander Archetype 5.0 rack is quite sturdy." The review also describes the shelves as "infinitely adjustable."

See It in Action

A build of an Archetype from the box up, worth watching once before you plan your shelf heights, then a walkthrough of the system:

Who Is the Salamander Archetype 5.0 Best For?

• You own something heavy — 150 pounds per shelf applies on every level
• Your components differ in height — continuous spacing gives each one its own clearance
• You want a rack that grows — add a single shelf inside the frame, or join two racks with the Stacking Kit
• You want storage — an Archetype drawer holds accessories right in the rack
• You want a choice of finish — Black Ash, real Cherry or real Walnut

Pairs Well With

• single shelf — a shelf that threads onto the rods you already have, in the finish to match
• Stacking Kit — four coupling nuts that join two Archetype racks into one taller unit
• All Hardware kit — spare nuts, washers and neoprene washers
• Isolation feet and platforms — between a component and its shelf

Frequently Asked Questions

How much weight will each shelf hold?

Salamander rates each shelf at 150 pounds, and the whole rack at 750 pounds. That figure is per shelf, so it is the same on every level.

Will my tall amplifier fit between the shelves?

Almost certainly, because you decide the gap. Check its width against the 19.25 inches between the rods too.

Can I add a shelf or make it taller later?

Yes, in two ways. A single shelf threads onto your rods and adds a level inside the rack. The Stacking Kit joins two Archetype racks, and Salamander recommends wall anchors when stacking higher than a 5.0.

How hard is it to assemble?

It takes a wrench and some patience. Decide your shelf heights first, then work shelf by shelf, level the rack and tighten the top nuts.

Is the wood real?

On the Cherry and Walnut racks, yes. The Black Ash rack uses black powder-coated MDF shelves instead. The shelves are the same size and thickness in every finish.

What is the warranty?

Salamander covers the Archetype for five years on parts and labor. Questions? Call us on 800-942-0220.

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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.

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