Hi Ibenez,
Good reply!!! I totally agree with you.
It is amazing to see some drummers going through all the thousands of options, only to finally:
Have all the sound "manupilating" contraptions added, like cushions, tape, moongel, mufflers, holes in reso-skins, have the cymbals under 60 degrees from the horizontal etc.etc.
One of the good things about bass-drum mounted toms is their fixed relationship (in space) to the kick pedal, thus to your seating position!
When the toms are placed to your liking you will always have them e x a c t l y where you want them!!
Most of the drummers I know in Europe and here in NZ, that have used- or are using racks are a:
Critcal of the racks but have roadies to put it up for them, or like the looks;
or b: Are back to the "old" simple ways.
Even Simon Phillips(TOTO) who has a Sh*t load of gear is (in a way) critical about racking and does not always use racks.
But hey, we all have our idiosyncracies, which keeps it interesting, really!!
Cheers and Happy Drumming,
Harry