Fraim on the way

In the midst of Bristol euphoria, I thought I'd quietly slip this in. Fraim arrived this week. Wow! Slim, Dave, Erik, I see what you all mean ...

Don, you have a treat in store for you.

Bruce,

Congrats dude.....Enjoy!!

Marco,

I'd vote for the NAD's transformer as the culprit--not the NAD per se.


regards,

dave

[This message was edited by dave simpson on SUNDAY 23 February 2003 at 01:59.]

Mine arrive Wednesday afternoon, if all goes well. But Bruce, what are you hearing?
Don

Dave, thanks.

Don, Fraim gives such a different presentation. But before I offend anybody, please let me say this is only my opinion and what my ears hear. More cohesion, more tuneful, tracks which seemed like filler tracks are now more interesting. With Mana, everything was pumped up to the max, all guitars were steel guitars, all drums were tuned as tight as they would go, all the musicians were competing against each other. With Fraim, a more balanced sound, richer, more layers, more colourful because I can hear all instruments together.

Much has been written about Mana vs Fraim (understatement!) but I have now heard it for myself and I understand what people mean when they say Mana exaggerates the leading edge, and Fraim lets the notes decay naturally. So having heard both at home, I prefer the Fraim. This is not to say I don't like the Mana sound, it is very attractive, but Fraim makes me listen to the music.

Looking forward to your impressions, Don.

Excellent write-up Bruce. Your description of Mana and Fraim are right on the money IMO.

regards,

dave

quote:

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Originally posted by Stallion:
I’m almost certain that if I put back the steel radiator, cast iron filing cabinet, [etc.]

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Er, sorry to appear a pedant here, but was this a multi-drawer unit from Le Creuset Office, Inc., or a box for storing the result of grinding up an anvil?

Just curious, you understand...

Best;

Mark

No, sorry -- I'm not being clear. Most conventional filing cabinets are pressed steel, as this is the easiest material to work with which has the strength to support lots of paperwork. The flat panels used are quite clangy, and I would expect the presence of such a piece to have an effect on any sound produced in the same room.

I suspect that a cast iron filing cabinet, of otherwise conventional design would instantly collapse most timber floors, and be almost impossible to move without a fork lift, due to its weight.

I realise that this does not affect the point you were making, but I never had you pegged as a heavy metal afficionado...

Best;

Mark

Well, the Fraims arrived today and my dealer, Rob of Real HiFi, installed them. The top shelf of five is extended. We'd thought to put the CDS2 in the slot and the LP12 on top, but instead reversed that order. The LP 12 looks great in the larger gap and the whole setup is more practical.
What can I say? I know what my wife said - "that looks fantastic." My jaw, meanwhile, was halfway to the floor, because of both the looks and the sound. (I got the cherry with aluminum supports - absolutely stunning.) As for sound, I can only say that everything about the system is transformed, all for the better. The LP12 sounds like a different turntable altogether, both richer and more detailed. The CDS2, which hadn't been up to the LP12 with good material on each, now laps the turntable. I've never heard CD sound so musical and satisying despite having owned a CDS2 for two years. I could go on, but I'm going to listen to music instead . . .
Don

Franky, I'm posting this just to get the thread back to the top of the list. I would like to read more experiences from those who've bought new Fraims. I'm floored by the effect (see above.) And I don't have to hide the system any longer because my wife loves the look.
Don

Don - we Fraim appreciators cannot express our true delight with Fraims other wise the acolytes of another belief start harrassing us telling us that we have cloth ears <g>

But they are rather nice - I have Black and Black and a super sound

Derek

Is there a way to use a Fraim, or other rack, with toddlers around the house?

I've been doing my dems on a Fraim'ed system and it never fails to please. But it would mean moving the kit from the safety of the tele top to a much more toddler-accessible location.

Any ideas?

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

The best way is to remove the toddlers!!

Just think those little fingers being poked into your beloved Naim gear!!

Regards

NB

Don,

Congrats on your new Fraim! When you said your CDS2 wasn't performing up to the LP12, I wondered if you weren't just suffering from the "MANA effect" By the sounds of it the Fraim has the same perfect balance between ease and involvement that my WB stuff has. Speed and excitement with unreal cohesion and fluidity with no particular coloring in any one direction.

Enjoy,

Dave

BTW: I can't believe my mom's CKUA book was in the Alberta top ten for so long. Have you considered getting an 01 yet?

Hi Dave. Your mom's a good writer, that's why. You're description of the WBs is pretty much what I hear from the Fraims, although I still have trouble getting it into my own words. Yours will do fine in the meantime.
Don

quote:

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Is there a way to use a Fraim, or other rack, with toddlers around the house?

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Greg, Have you seen the clear plastic retainers for the glass shelves? I think they came with the base shelf. I believe Naim can supply them for all the shelves on request. They stop the whole shelf potentially sliding off the ball bearings.

Otherwise how about a firm NO...even that seems an excessive response to someone showing an interest in Naim equipment! I liked the article "Parenting for Audiophiles" on Gene Rubins website
http://www.generubinaudio.com/articls.html#parenting

Jeremy

Don,

You're right. I really enjoyed the book. Perfectly readable and informative without being overly opinionated (which she had a right to be because my brother was down to working for no pay and eating bread crusts to help hold CKUA together during the "Klein" period"). I was just glad/stunned that so many Albertans cared enough to buy it (so was she!).

Enjoy the Fraim!

dave

After more than a day of listening with the Fraim - or to it - I've started to calm down a big, but my pleasure and satisfaction with this upgrade only grows. I feel as if I have a whole new system. I take out LPs and CDs, intending to play a cut here and there, but end up falling into the performance and listening to the whole record. The Fraims have improved the performance of the LP12 beyond anything it showed on a Mana reference table; but the CDS2 has grown even more, to the point where it's now a better source than the LP12 (I wouldn't have believed that.)
Specifically, bass from both sources is tauter and deeper. Highs and mids are incredibly sweet and smooth, yet more detailed. Notes rise and decay with luxurious ease. Melodic lines meet and mingle effortlessly with lovely pace and timing. There is not a hint of glare or edge or digital nasties that can make listening fatiguing.
One sure sign: My wife and I were talking tonight while we listened to Carly Simon's Film Noir. As some of you will know, it's an orchestral album with a big sound, and we had it turned up a bit. But as we talked, nobody made a move for the remote to turn it down.
This isn't just an upgrade. It's a revelation.
Cheers,
Don

Don, can you describe how you have your equipment on your Fraim? Do you have one or two racks?

What kind of floor do you have? Is it suspended wood (with or without carpet), or something solid?

Thanks,

Jim

Hi, Jim. I'm trying to figure out how to send a picture. Meanwhile, I have one stand on a suspended hardwood floor, with Fraim chips under the feet.
I hope the picture comes with this, but if not I'll try later.
Don

FRAIM AND TODDLERS

Having Fraim I can confirm that there is no doubt that it is a pain with toddlers. A slight knock can deterioratethe soulnd by de-centralising the spikes in the cups and move the glass shelf (even with the plastic polos on the glass).

It does sound superb though

Chaps

This has been an excellent thread and it marks the start of general acceptance that the Fraim can out do Mana, even on several phases. It is all down to what you like.

It certainly looks a lot better.

Regards

Mick

Bosh, I've got the solution for the audio-toddler dilemma. Give up audio for about five years. That's what we ended up doing to avoid frustration; it's either that, or turn the kids over to social services. Audio is a hobby; our kids are life itself.
Don

True but social services can sometimes do a good job.....

There is that . . .

Seems we have mixed reactions on the Toddler issue.

Jeremy & Bosh - thank you for the advice and I read the article you linked to Jeremy. I believe our son will be a great kid (he is already!) and so handling it by teaching him how to use it correctly is an option.

Don - "Give up audio for about five years. That's what we ended up doing to avoid frustration; it's either that, or turn the kids over to social services. Audio is a hobby; our kids are life itself."

This really isn't an option as audio *isn't* a hobby in our household. When I came on the forum 3+ years ago, I was single and it was my hobby. But not now. My wife and I both love music - she used to be a Jazz DJ - and we have tons of CDs and records. I want music to be part of our son's life too Now the kit is on top of the tele and I have no stress about it being there. Our son can't get to it and that's fine for now. Have to see if I have the wherewithal to move some of it to a rack.

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here