Custom Design Milan LCD3 review

Custom Design is a family-run, Newcastle-based business that's been quietly churning out terrific hi-fi and AV furniture for years. We've been impressed by its output in the past, and this new Milan rack is another cracker.

Simple elegance has long been Custom Design's game, and the LCD 3 continues the trend: basically, you get six blocks of wood, three sheets of glass and a few bolts and spikes – oh, and the most basic instruction manual we've ever seen.

You can add an optional £30 cable tidy if you like, but we reckon that would just complicate things.

Added to the Milan's minimalist design is a highly accomplished performance. Audio equipment placed on the rack benefits from added weight, detail and dynamics, with large orchestral pieces being particularly well treated.

However, our dedication to the like-for-like comparison does prove that the very best (yes, we mean Atacama) offer a little extra scale and bite.

Not enough space to share
The only other thing we have to slightly niggle about is the rather strange width of the unit itself: the shelves are 69cm wide, meaning there isn't quite enough space for two pieces of standard-width equipment to go side-by-side.

If you're a Cyrus fan this won't be a problem, but most people will be limited to one piece of equipment per shelf.

Nevertheless, the odd width and exceptional competition aside, the minimalist Milan is an excellent rack . The fact that it's such a handsome devil doesn't do it any harm, either.