Fraim levelling

Posted by: MarkyB on 27 March 2002

Please could you give me some advice concerning my new Naim Fraim.

I have recently had a four shelf(5 level) Fraim installed at home and have found it to make a big difference to the sound.

However when I checked the top level (which my record deck lives on) I found it not to be totally level.

In the literature it states that you should make sure that the surface you are putting the Fraim on should be level. Can you not adjust the floor spikes at all to adjust the level ?


Thanks for your help.


Mark

Posted on: 27 March 2002 by MarkyB
Thanks,

Trouble is the LP12 is also not level (bubble at far end of lines as opposed to centre) and I understand that this is v.important.

M

Posted on: 27 March 2002 by J.N.
Start again with the 'Base' level and get it right.

A friend and fellow Fraim owner installed mine for me and came up with some good ideas for getting the Base level settled and level.

If its going onto carpet or similar, gently put your full body weight over each spike to get it properly bedded down. Then; put a sheet of glass directly onto the MDF board and pile some big boxes onto it (4 x 250's etc). This ensures that the spikes stay where they should and are not lifted by carpet etc.

THEN get it level. Build from there and things should stay level.

Good luck.

Posted on: 28 March 2002 by Bosh
My dealer informs me that there the very, ver slight inconsistencies in dimensions of the Fraim, compounded by differences in torque of bolts during assembly can throw the whole rack of level.

Apparently it is critical that the top shelf is absolutely level. This is achieved by adjusting the base accordingly, which may mean the other shelves are not exaclty level, but this not as critical as for other components.

I presume whoever set it up did not overtighten the bolts (use only provided spanner and use firm pressure on thumb or the veneer breaks and they work loose), centralised the spikes in the cups, and ensured leads (esp. NACA5), the ball bearings were cleaned with Isopropyl did not touch the Fraim) and the glass shelf "rung" and did not touch the child proof rings or pins at the back.

These setup details were found the hard way (thanks to the forum and Naim direct)and all make a difference

Posted on: 28 March 2002 by MarkyB
Thanks for your assistance.

Anyone know where I can get Isopropyl alcahol?

Will now rebuild at the weekend. As it happens the dealers boys managed to set it up with the cutout face up and badge on the bottom shelf of the base level and this requires moving anyway.

Also I'm not too sure about the equipment order (would not make much difference I was told) which at present is.

Top: LP12

CD3.50

Creek T40

NAC 72 and NAP 140

Linn Lingo and Hi Cap

I feel that I should say goodbye to the tuner as it gets very little use and I could connect Sky Digital into second tape input anyway.

Also, how on earth do you keep all the cables seperated?

Thanks again

Mark

Posted on: 28 March 2002 by dave simpson
Bosh,

Curious about your post regarding set-up tips for the fraim. By firm pressure, do you mean "veins popping in
the arm" is ok as long as use only the supplied spanner,or should the pressure be somewhat less.(I tweaked mine with as much pressure as I could muster using one hand and the supplied spanner-enough pressure to strip the spanner though.)

Also the bit about alcohol...is this necessary for best sound but only if the balls are visibly contaminated or should the wipe-down be done regardless?

regards,

dave

Posted on: 29 March 2002 by Martin Payne
quote:
Originally posted by MarkyB:
Anyone know where I can get Isopropyl alcahol?


Mark,

Maplins sell it in a spray can. Never really understood why...

cheers, Martin

Posted on: 29 March 2002 by ken c
quote:
Originally posted by MarkyB:

Anyone know where I can get Isopropyl alcahol?

Mark


try boots. thats where i got mine sometime ago. still have it.

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 29 March 2002 by Bosh
How firm is firm pressure - no not arm veins popping out and certainly not knackering the spanner. Just use firm pressure on the pad of the thumb (not a full grip) and unless you're a tyrefitter you'll be OK.

As its now done just keep checking its not worked loose.

I presume isopropyl is to remove any grease etc introduced during manufacture or from your own sticky mitts

Posted on: 29 March 2002 by dave simpson
Thanks Bosh.