The Solid Steel S5-3 is a three-shelf hi-fi rack from the Italian manufacturer’s S5 Advanced series. Positioned above the entry-level S2 range and below the reference-grade S3 series, the S5 line is designed for enthusiasts seeking meaningful vibration control without the premium of Solid Steel’s top-tier offerings. The S5-3 configuration provides three shelves, suiting a typical two-source system with an amplifier.
Construction & Materials
The frame is built from aluminium support tubes, each filled with StratoCell sound-absorbing foam rather than the granular fill materials used in cheaper rack designs. All structural hardware — upper and lower terminations, adjustable spikes, protective floor discs, adjustable cones, and fasteners — is stainless steel.
Shelves are constructed from MDF with a polymer laminate finish, available in Black or White. Each shelf supports a maximum load of 55 kg.
Vibration Management
The S5 series uses a two-level decoupled shelf system. The main shelves are perforated in their central areas and reinforced with embedded steel elements for rigidity. Secondary shelves sit on precision steel cones, creating a decoupling barrier between the equipment and the main structure. Steel floor discs (S Series Pads) at the base channel accumulated vibrations downward into the floor, away from the rack and its contents.
Modularity & Adjustability
The aluminium support tubes use a secure fastening system that allows precise height adjustment. Shelf spacing can be customised at any time without disassembling the rack, accommodating components of varying heights. The S5-3 provides inner shelf heights of 305 mm (12″) and 205 mm (8″), giving the top compartment enough clearance for taller amplifiers or turntables while the lower shelf suits standard-height source components.
| Number of Shelves | 3 |
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| Inner Shelf Heights | 305 mm (12″) / 205 mm (8″) |
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| Max Load per Shelf | 55 kg |
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| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 584 × 755 × 430 mm |
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| Weight | 30 kg |
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| Shelf Material | MDF with polymer laminate finish |
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| Frame Material | Aluminium tubes with StratoCell foam fill |
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| Hardware | Stainless steel (spikes, cones, terminations, fasteners) |
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| Shelf Decoupling | Two-level system with steel cones |
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| Also Available As | Black |
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