Quadraspire racks

Posted by: Not For Me on 24 February 2002

Would anyone in the know care to comment about the relative merits of the Quadraspire Q4 and Q4 reference racks ?

I am consider the Ref for Naim amps and the Q4 for the rest (CD/ DAC / CDRW / Cass / Tuner )

A set of Fraims for my 11 boxes would be a tad over my modest budget.

Thanks,

David

Posted on: 24 February 2002 by Action

Plz let me tell of my hour long rack demo(it would of been longer if my dealer had had his way) .I found the Q's to be harsh and pushy in the presentation. You must try others .I found the isoblue's much more to my liking

Mike

Posted on: 25 February 2002 by Top Cat

Having owned the QS standard and the Reference, plus also Mana and Target, I'd rank them as follows:

Least to most musically satisfying ->

Target -> QS Standard -> Mana -> QS Reference.

Haven't heard Isoblue, but can vouch for the fact that a properly setup QS Reference is certainly not 'pushy' and is as musical a stand as I've yet heard. Fraim looks excellent, though, so check it out as well - a few extra pounds spent up front might reap the long term advantage, although I couldn't use Fraim as it has glass shelves and my TT hates glass shelves...

TC '..'
"Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a Muffin..."

Posted on: 25 February 2002 by Steve Toy

Q Ref. in conjunction with correctly set-up Music Works Block and leads helps your system to give an incredibly musical presentation.

Regards,

Steve.

The proof of the pudding...

Posted on: 25 February 2002 by dave simpson

I wouldn't lump Fraim into the Mana catagory because of glass. I have yet to get Fraim to sound glassy or aggressive in any way...I've tried. Might be worth investigating while waiting for just the right cds II deal.

regards,

dave

Posted on: 25 February 2002 by Top Cat

Point taken, Dave, but my problem with the Mana under the turntable was that my TT has aluminium feet - inverted pointy cones, if you will - which don't like to be in contact with glass - you know how it is, sharp metal against glass. Fraim looks absolutely superb in the flesh, but I have committed to QS Reference now and whilst I am sure Fraim is very good, my funds would be better spent on a new CD spinner.

FWIW, I think I may buy a new CDS-II/XPS, rather than hang off for a s/h one, due to (a) high residuals on s/h CDS-II, and (b) my dealer making a very good offer to me, i.e. greater than 10% discount (due mainly to loyalty and my continued addiction- I mean, custom )

Of course, I may not end up buying it if it doesn't impress, but given how much I liked the bare CDX, I am fairly confident to say the least.

TC '..'
"Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a Muffin..."

Posted on: 25 February 2002 by Steve G

quote:
Originally posted by Top Cat:
than hang off for a s/h one, due to (a) high residuals on s/h CDS-II, and (b) my dealer making a very good offer to me, i.e. greater than 10% discount (due mainly to loyalty and my continued addiction- I mean, custom )

It might be worth checking out the CDS2/XPS for 2995 that the dealer in Glasgow is listing though.

Retro Reproductions were also listing a used Audio Research CDII which might also be worth a listen.

Regards
Steve

Posted on: 25 February 2002 by Top Cat

If it's Audio Salon, it's long gone

TC '..'
"Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a Muffin..."

Posted on: 25 February 2002 by Steve G

quote:
Originally posted by Top Cat:
If it's Audio Salon, it's long gone

Yes I think it was them. Shame.

Regards
Steve

Posted on: 27 February 2002 by Top Cat

You may think it works fine, but try using a Mana board instead of the glass under the TT. You may find the finest level of false detail diminishes but the musicality is far greater. I was there, did that and found out this for myself. Then again, my TT is not an Orbe so perhaps it is something else in its construction or sonic character which runs against the grain of what Mana is all about.

Point to note: the Clearaudio deck is a real bugger for the finest setup - anything off and the sound really falls away. Spot on (or as close as I have yet managed) and it's phenomenal, at least compared to my old LP12/Aro/Lingo at Phase 7ish Mana.

TC '..'
"Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a Muffin..."