Fraim on the way

Back again, after life with the Fraims for three days - enough time for everything to get warmed up and humming. All my initial positive impressions have been confirmed beyond any doubt. I am hearings harmonics, details, richness, musicality that are unprecedented with my system. It's an old reviewer's cliche, but every CD with which I'm familiar sounds new and fresh, much more thrilling than ever before. Some have noted on another thread that my setup isn't even optimal - my 52 is right above the XPS, and the LP12 is directly above the 52. I've dealt with the latter problem by unplugging the LP12 when I'm not using it. The improvement was immediate. I'm sure I'd benefit from separating the 52 from the XPS as well. But even with those minor problems, the hugely improved performance of my system proves to me, at least, that Fraims are among the best components Naim has ever produced.
Cheers,
Don

Mana shelves, which have long been recognized as having a remarkably positive effect on LP12s (I believe that's why they were first developed) have been sold for - what? - 20 years or more. They use glass. Other could tell you better why this works. I just know it does.
Don

Alan

I believe that some Naim staff used Mana years ago but then found that it sounded better on either Projekt (now defunct) or Ash Design.

Hutter then was highly regarded as offering the most musical presentation until the Fraim came along.

I think the reality is that in current times, Mana produces good speaker supports but is hopelessly outclassed for amps and source components. For instance, the Townshend s/sink totally murdered the Mana Soundframe when placed under my CD3.5. Everything sounded much more natural and musical.

If I was starting from scatch, I would use the Fraim for the black boxes and TT with Mana for the speakers.

Regards

Mick

"For instance, the Townshend s/sink totally murdered the Mana Soundframe when placed under my CD3.5." Mick Parry

I think it needs to be said that Mick used his Mana Soundframe on top of a Sound Organisation stand which is not the way Mana is recommended to be used. I think the performance capability of the Mana Soundframe was greatly handicapped using it in that way.

John

You are perfectly correct, the Mana Soundframe was mounted on a Soundorg Rack.

However, to be fair, both the s/sink and the Soundframe are Mini tables that are designed to be placed on something like a sideboard or another rack.

I also conducted a similar experiment using the Hutter, the s/sink made a marginal improvement under the CDS2 whilst the Mana had no effect at all.

However, at the end of the day, its all down to personal choice, the good news from my point of view is that my wife and sons all agreed with me.

Regards

Mick

Psssstt, Don,

Now that you prefer Fraim over Mana you might want to change your profile.

Dave

Thought i had. I'll see to it. Thanks,
Don