Hey, I'm new to the modular synth arena. I'm looking to get into it, and have looked
hard at the Synthesizers.com/MOTM pairing vs. Doepfer/AS. I know you can/should
mix makes, but at this point, I am starting small and can't afford to buy a ton of
modules. I would really like to start with Doepfer with a couple of AS thrown in (I
really like the CV potential of the Doepfer system).

What really puts me off is the price of the damn case/psu. $450!!! I might be ok with
that if I knew that would set me for a while, but after filling it up, you got to drop
another 450 for a new case. The one thing I liked the most about the Synthesizer.com
system is the fact that you pay $300ish to get set up in power supplies, 50 for a rack
mount and then when you fill out the rack, its just another 50. the power supply can
do something like 40 modules.

So what I am looking at is getting a non-doepfer rack. I figure the cck-160 from
Vector electronics (found at Allied electronics, newark, etc) for about 150 would work.
I am in contact with them now to see if it is indeed what I am looking for. I'd like to
go cheaper, but we will see. if it doesn't work, I can always get two strips of
aluminum and tap the holes myself :(

For power, I would pick up some bus boards from doepfer, and a Condor HBB15-1.5-
A+ for $60 from Mouser. Not only would that be cheaper, it would give me a lot more
room for expansion - more importantly, it wouldn't necessarily be a 450 dollar
expense every time I need more space. All in all I'd be out around 300 with room to
expand by just adding another rack and bus board.

Here's what I want to know. Besides the obvious like outlets, switches, and fuses, is
there anything I am missing Is there anything wrong with using a power supply
capable of more current I'm sure there are others out there using there own more
powerful supplies in other kinds of subracks; any pointers