The rack deadlift is great for lifters with less range of motion, but can also be used to work the top range of the deadlift with a heavier load.
Typically, the rack deadlift is set up with the bar just below the knees, but just above the knee is fine too. If you don't have a rack, use a few 45 pound Olympic plates to elevate the bar into position.
Bodybuilding guru Scott Abel says that training for hypertrophy, size, thickness, density, and shape is not the same as strength training. If the question is how to gain unadulterated muscle mass, is hybrid training the answer?