I want a flat earth rack

Posted by: willem on 14 January 2003

Hello (again) everybody!

I dusted off my membership ID because one the forum's hot items also is one of mine. Hope I am still welcome?

The thing is, I'm looking for a rack for my -relatively modest- Hi-Fi (LP12/ARO/Armageddon/K9 + CD3 + NAIT 3) and was hoping the Fraime would sort me out, but as I now understand the Fraim is not very suitable for the LP12.

Which makes me wonder why Naim would produce a rack that can not hold their 'own' record player! Did they turn into round earthed CD-supporters while I was away?

My LP12 is now on a Target wall shelf (on 8 mm Securit glass) and the rest is on a Soundstyle tripod. I need 4 tiers in total and, because of lack of floorspace and of WAF, the whole set has to be in one column. Alas this rules out any arrangement that includes a Mana Reference Table.

Musically I'm into electronica, Krautrock (Can, Faust), Free Jazz and Modern Classical. I love the clean, fast forward traditional Naim sound.

Which rack should I go for?

Willem

Posted on: 14 January 2003 by John G.

You could put everything on a four tier mana amp rack, one stack with the LP12 on the top.

I've got a five tier amp rack on two soundstages and my LP12 in on a mini-table on the top shelf of the rack and it sounds just fine.

Hopefully you don't have a wall shelf because of foot-fall problems.

Posted on: 14 January 2003 by seagull

The Fraim is suitable for an lp12, it depends on what you want from your sistem. (See Match of the Day thread)

Posted on: 14 January 2003 by bjorne

Hi Willem

Nothing modest about your source! I also have Lp12/Aro/Armageddon/K18, I use it with a Nait3r + hicap and I would say that your source makes your sistem anything but modest!

Have you considered a cap for your Nait? I was stunned by the impact a flatcap had on the amp and the hicap gave more of it. Maybe something to check out.

Bjorne

Posted on: 15 January 2003 by Dave J

quote:
I now understand the Fraim is not very suitable for the LP12.

Willem,

This is completely incorrect. I use Fraim under my LP12, chosen after trying all of the main alternatives, and it sounds superb.

As ever, go and listen and decide for yourself.

Dave

Posted on: 15 January 2003 by willem

Thank you all very much for your replies!

Posted on: 15 January 2003 by Rob Doorack

For a relatively inexpensive start you could upgrade your Target shelf with a Neuance shelf. It's a very cost effective upgrade to Target shelving.

Posted on: 16 January 2003 by reductionist

The king of flat earth racks is a Mana rack, the princes were the sound org tables with Target for the rest.

Posted on: 16 January 2003 by Michel

Willem,
just get a Solidsteel rack at CAC audio!
Greetz Michel

Posted on: 16 January 2003 by willem

quote:
Originally posted by Michel:
Willem,
just get a Solidsteel rack at CAC audio!
Greetz Michel

The (Italian made) Solidsteel racks do look nice and the frames are indeed solid, but they are hardly flat earth. In fact I think they've got a design fault. The wooden tiers have to be so thick because the cones they are on lie loose and are thus prone to vibration.

Really heavy gear works better on them than light stuff like my NAIT. I don't think they make a LP 12 sound it's best.

Nice shop, though, CAC's, it must be one of the best in the country!

Willem

Posted on: 16 January 2003 by willem

quote:
Originally posted by bjorne:
Hi Willem

Nothing modest about your source! I also have Lp12/Aro/Armageddon/K18, I use it with a Nait3r + hicap and I would say that your source makes your sistem anything but modest!

Have you considered a cap for your Nait? I was stunned by the impact a flatcap had on the amp and the hicap gave more of it. Maybe something to check out.

Bjorne

Hi Bjorne,

I think I prefer my NAIT straight, without any CAP's. Wouldn't mind a Prefix + Hi-Cap later though!

Willem

Posted on: 16 January 2003 by David Stewart

Willem,
I think if I had a top of the range LP12, I'd leave it on the Target shelf and treat it to a new cartridge. I recently swapped out my K9 for a Dynavector 10x4 MC and the difference was very significant. For Fraim money you could afford something even better. I know it's not the answer to the question you asked but a suggestion for consideration.

David

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