Quadraspire Supports

Posted by: Leigh on 26 December 2000

Even as a relatively new forum user, I know this question will evoke considerable comment...but here goes anyway.

I am one of those Naim enthusiasts without a dedicated listening room and therefore constrained by the niceties of having the system 'fit in' with the decor of out living-room /lounge.

At the moment by 72/140/cd3.5 sit next to each other on top of a large wooden cabinet, with the hicap on the bottom shelf inside the cabinet (along with 100-150 CDs!).

I am considering moving the equipment off the cabinet and onto a Quadraspire Q4 table with 4 mdf shelves.

I like the look of the Quadraspire and its wooden finish would fit our decor better that a metal stand.

Does anyone have experience with the Quadraspire and Naim equipment?

Posted on: 26 December 2000 by Dave Hartley

HELLO LEIGH

I WAS IN EXACTLY THE SAME SITUATION AS YOURSELF
WITH NOT HAVING MY OWN LISTENING ROOM.THE SUPPORT
STAND IDEALLY HAD TO BE A PIECE OF FURNITURE WHICH
ALLOWS THE NAIM EQUIPMENT TO PERFORM CLOSE TO ITS BEST.

2 MONTHS AGO I SAW & HEARD A QUADRASHIRE. I WAS
IMPRESSED AND SO WAS MY WIFE.

WE PURCHASED A 5 TIER Q4 IN MAPLE WITH POLISHED ALLOY SUPPORTS. I'VE TURNED THE SHELVES UPSIDE DOWN WHICH NOW MATCH THE REST OF THE FURNITURE...

......A LIGHT BEECH COLOUR......

I'VE SINCE ADDED ANOTHER SHELF.

THE GREAT NEWS IN OUR ROOM IS ITS PART OF THE FURNITURE & SOUNDS BRILLIANT AS WELL.

YOU WON'T BE DISSAPPOINTED

DAVE

Posted on: 27 December 2000 by Top Cat

I have owned Target, QS and Mana. In my experience, the Mana racks are not only in a different league to the QS and Target supports, they represent a fundamental requirement in a musical reproduction system. It's that simple.

Some members have spoken highly of Hutter; I'd advise you to try to check out their stands as well. However, cosmetics aside, QS is significantly inferior (in sonic terms and also in stability terms) than a Mana rack of the same size. I would urge you to try to hear some Mana before making any (IME) expensive mistake with lesser racks.

On the plus side, there is a reasonable secondhand market for QS racks, so I got 75% of my money back on my 3-month old, 6-tier QS rack (when I moved to Mana). This will be some encouragement if you choose QS and then realise what Mana can offer.

Sorry to be so anti-QS - I'm not, but Mana is so far ahead in sonic terms, to not consider it first is a grave mistake...

John (a happy Mana owner)

Posted on: 27 December 2000 by Allan Probin

John,

I think, to be fair, you ought to point out that you havn't actually heard the Quadraspire with Naim equipment.

Allan.

Posted on: 28 December 2000 by Leigh

Thank you all for your considered replies to this thorny subject.

I take on board the comments about listening to the stands before buying, but are Mana stands as aesthetically pleasing as the Quadraspire supports and what price range are they in?

Regards

Leigh Silcock

Posted on: 29 December 2000 by Top Cat

quote:
I think, to be fair, you ought to point out that you havn't actually heard the Quadraspire with Naim equipment

Partially correct - only a CD3.5, not Naim amps or PSUs.

How're the stands going, Allan?

John

Posted on: 29 December 2000 by Allan Probin

quote:
How're the stands going, Allan?

John,

I wish I could tell you, unfortunately they still havn't arrived. I'll just bite my tongue and wait patiently.

Kind of a shame really, just when I get three weeks off work and have plenty of time for messing around with this kind of thing. By the time the stand turns up I'll probably be back at work and be rushed off my feet again.

Allan

Posted on: 29 December 2000 by ken c

i have had a 4 tier QS in my system for about 3 years now -- when i have a chance i will post my system config. i have found it very interesting to look at photos from vuk and others.

i am very happy with my QS -- a definite upgrade from my sound style, especially visually. i havent observed any negative effects on dynamics or attack. my QS houses Hicap(for Prefix), CD2, NAT02, NAC52 (so there is a spare slot for upgrades). i have got my 250, supercap on a Projekt, again 4-tier- which also looks quite nice, but doesnt quite 'go' visually with the QS. Sounds OK to me though.

i have promised myself to try out mana under my cd2, but i have other upgrades i am considering right now before then. for example cdsii, and nap135's. perhaps nbls's when i have had a chance to hear them.

my theory is that, assuming your have reasonable manufacturer recommended stands, you have to be happy with your system first before considering changing supports. i strongly suspect that even some mana based systems with umpteen phases may not be working optimally at all, negating whatever potential positive effects the support may bring. i dont doubt that stands make a difference, and in a lot a cases, positive differences, but i think you have to make sure sure the system is right in the first place. sounds like catch-22 doesnt it?

enjoy...

ken

Posted on: 31 December 2000 by Leigh

Vuk,

Thank you for the photographs recently posted. Given my previously mentioned constraints, comments made in this thread and finally your photos, I think I am going to try my system with a Quadraspire support.

Thanks for your help.

Leigh Silcock