Fraim in MAY

What are Naim's plans for Frankfurt? I hope I'll be able to attend the "High End" this year. Maybe you could organise a Forum meeting on the continent as well!

Ciao!

Willem

P.S. Still the same "extreme" prices for the Fraim?

Maybe a chance to enter a new and altogether neglected market place?

Matthew

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Look forward to your views.

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How about making the Fraim a bit cheaper. Please.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Reminds me a bit of something Dave Dever said some time ago about the StarBASE:

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If the StarBASE had cost much less (very expensive, even at trade / accomodation price), or the standard BASE sounded as good as the StarBASE (which is mass-reduced, therefore less "dead"-sounding) and had the same finish quality, then I might have still been using it at home.

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I hope we won't have to replace the word "StarBASE" in the near future by "Naim Fraim".

Ciao!

Willem

"I agree with Dev B, it's not too late to do something about these prices."

I totally agree. If the price of the Fraim remains at the suggested levels, how many of us will be able to afford them?

Personally I;m keeping an open mind, they could turn out to be fabulously cost effective or a huge waste of money. Only time and our individual experiences (in our homes with our own equipment) will tell.

Jay

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If the StarBASE had cost much less (very expensive, even at trade / accomodation price), or the standard BASE sounded as good as the StarBASE (which is mass-reduced, therefore less "dead"-sounding) and had the same finish quality, then I might have still been using it at home.

end quote

I hope we won't have to replace the word "StarBASE" in the near future by "Naim Fraim".

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I understand that there is a great deal of effort being put into the packaging.

Dave Dever, NANA box tester

I remembered your remark concerning the StarBASE racks and I think it applies very well to the current discussion. An excellent product, but unfortunately too expensive. IMHO there is a serious risk this will apply to the Fraim as well.
As for the "wait and hear befor you judge" approach, I don't think any rave reviews of the new Fraim will change the general feeling of them being too expensive. There's been a lot of feedback about this subject, so it's up to Naim to do something with this info or not.

Ciao!

Willem

1) Standard BASE racks are almost as expensive here in the States (after recent price increases) as the Fraim for a similarly-configured rack!

The packaging left much to be desired (double-wall cardboard crate notwithstanding, at our expense), hence my remark above. Glass shelves also factor into the equation, and must survive U.S. (and worldwide export) shipping. Period.

2) The Fraim is much more stylish for the money than any other rack we've imported into the States--even in black.

Though this exterior trait may not be a concern to hi-fi purists, it is to those who must live with them...comparably-styled racks (at least here in the States) cost as much, if not more.

Dave Dever, NANA

I have six black boxes plus a turntable and I would prefer two low racks sitting side by side rather than one unit which would be far to high..

I will therefore need two bases units, plus six shelves, which equates to £2,200.00.

A similar Hutter unit will cost about £900.00 if I import it direct and I believe Mana will also cost about the same.

When you buy a stand, you are buying two things in my mind.

1. Sonic improvement
2. A good looking product to house the kit.

All 3 of the above racks will improve the sound, but I do prefer the more natural sound of a wooden support and I dislike the appearance of Mana for the lounge, its far to much like an oil rig. I will, however, conceed that Mana sounds good.

For me, its a contest between Hutter and Naim and in my case there is a £1,300 diffence in price between the two which I could spend on something else.

To my mind the Hutter is good looking (the brochures make it look awful so don't be deceived) and it sounds excellent. At £900.00 it is very good value because it sounds good but also looks like a good quality piece of furniture which will blend into any decor.

The Naim, visually is leagues ahead, it is fairly bold but it would look good in my room at least, which is predominantly leather and mahogany.

You have to take a close look at it to appreciate just how good the build quaity is. It really is a sort of advent garde and yet discreet if placed in a largish room.

To me the Hutter is a good stand whilst the Naim almost borders on a work of art and I may well be tempted to hold back and save the extra cash and buy it next year.

If I do buy a Hutter, the chances are that I will move it on at a later date and buy the Naim anyway.

Also it is about 15% of the cost of the equipment that it rests on so you need to keep it in perspective.

I doubt if it will sell in droves, but history proves that quality always sells and this is, without doubt, a quality product.

I suspect that the howling and whinging about the price will reduce when more of you see it in the dealers. You may think its expensive, but you will understand why.

I am a tight fisted git when it comes to spending money, but this stand is the business and I could easily be persuaded to buy it. I commend it to anyone.

Regards

Mick

I was surprised to see that the Fraim prices in USD were more or less identical to the price in GBP, as opposed to the other Naim gear.

Mick,

You as a sales expert might be able to explain to me if and why it is more interesting for a company to sell a few units at a very high price or many units at a low(er) price.
As for the dilemma you're facing, it will only be answered after the introduction of the Fraim: "Is a NAC 52 on Hutter better than a NAC 82 on a Naim Fraim?"
I've spoken to three Naimophiles here in Luxusburg about the Fraim and their reaction was the same: they found the price outrageous and it was obvious they were very disappointed by this. One of them sells design furniture and kitchens for a living, so he is used to high prices, but even he was shocked when he heard the price.
As for the looks, I start to believe this stand was specially designed for the Swindon and American market!

Ciao!

Willem

P.S. Tomorrow I'm off to Greece. Maybe in about two weeks, when I'm back, the first impressions of the Fraim will be there or the new speaker will finally have a name!

already have! pre launch sales are excellent.

Wait and have a listen, cannot help the look now, a lot of people love it!

Please don't force Dave and Paul to defend themselves, I find it unseemly and offensive. If you can't afford a Fraim go to Ikea. Most Naim owners prefer to pay for quality.

Steven

Maybe we'll see a 5-series-ish FRAIM and maybe we won't.

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

I saw the Naim Fraim at the Bristol Sound and Vision show and was very impressed.

I can't wait to have my Naim equipment on a Naim Fraim!

Dave Dever, NANA

I received an invitation to the NY show, but as it didn't mention Naim, I wasn’t going to go. As you will be there, and will be able to demo the Fraim, I will come on down. I am quite interested in replacing my finest 15 year old IKEA stand with one of a different color, and reduced ferrous composition.

By the way, I checked your link to the show and it still does not include Naim. Can you prod the show organizers and get them to update the exhibitors list?

Thanks