New gear - the pictures!
Posted by: John Channing on 25 February 2001
Posted on: 25 February 2001 by Rockingdoc
Blimey!
I bet Mana, Hutter and QS are pissed now.
These look really nice. Naim must have spent some cash on design (overdue)
Malcolm
Posted on: 25 February 2001 by Laxton
Thanks to John and Rico for posting the much anticipated top-secret Naim projects. I hope Rico wasn't shuddering because of the price of the racks.
Regards
Laxton
Posted on: 25 February 2001 by David Antonelli
Thanks for the pix Rico. Now I know what I'm getting when I replace my 250 with a 500. I have no more space on my wilson benesch racks and was going to get them to make me a mono-block stand when I upgrade the 250. But since the greatest advantage of the WB stands is the carbon fiber, and a monoblock stand would have very little (or none) of this since the carbon fiber is in the three support columns, it didn't make much sense. The naim would a) look perfect with the WB stands (not the all black ones, though) in combining the modern with the classical in a design which emphasizes three fold symmetry. Thus it is! Now I don't have to worry about removing my hicap/headline from its place on the aside when I go to 135s or a 500 and I don't have to get a custom monoblock stand from WB. And if I ever decide to triamp my ACT 2 with three 500s, I can always build on to the new naim stand.
The WB stands are the best I've seen or heard, but they are just not modular and do not allow much flexibility along the upgrade path.
Posted on: 25 February 2001 by Top Cat
Looks really nice - how stable is it, though - I'm thinking about the fact that (not having seen it IRL) it appears that the back feet of the items placed upon the rack might make it a bit wobbly?
So, how much does it sell for, and what does it do for the sound (i.e. does it just look nice like QS or does it improve the sound like Mana or (allegedly) Hutter???)
John
Posted on: 25 February 2001 by Willem van Gemert
Thanks for the great pictures, but what a disappointment. The Naim racks look IMHO really horrible (a mixture of BASE, RA Torlyte and Vuk's DIY rack) and their price is just outrageous! Makes the competition look like a real bargain, which they aren't.
Anyway, now that the Naim/glass issue seems to be solved, I think I will go for a simple Mana rack: goes well with my "old style" square SBLs and simple Naim boxes.
Ciao!
Willem
Posted on: 25 February 2001 by Allan Probin
quote:
I bet Mana, Hutter and QS are pissed now
If it manages to capture the strengths of Mana, Hutter and Quadraspire it'll be a killer, even at that price. But its a big *IF*
Allan
Posted on: 25 February 2001 by Stewart Cooper
Thanks John and Rico. I look forward to the 'in vivo' experience.
I think the stuff at least looks good.
Paul S, when are you anticipating this new gear might be available?
Stewart
Posted on: 25 February 2001 by John Channing
Having had a fairly close look at the stands I can give you a reasonable dscription of how it is put together. The most unusual feature is how each layer is connected together. Inside each of the three columns is a single solid or tubular aluminuim rod that terminates in a spike sitting in the cup below. These are covered by a hollow aluminium cover that is attached only to top shelf (om each layer). This I feel provides some sort or mechanical resonator for disipating energy but also a single route for energy to earth. The shelves are veneared MDF and have a central cut out probably again to control resonance. The glass shelves are mounted on ball bearing, but the interesting feature is the bottom cup which has a triangular cut out, thus providing less contact than Vuk's bottom nuts which are circular. Overall the design is very elegant but expensive.
John
More Hutter, more Hutter!
Posted on: 25 February 2001 by Allan Probin
quote:
more to do with daylight robbery
Doesn't seem that much more than a mana amp rack on a stack of stages to me. ???
Allan
Posted on: 25 February 2001 by Andrew Randle
Redbug,
You should have emailed John. If you are wrong then you are simply spreading that distress by needlessly embarrassing him.
You say that the emails are distressing - if so, then you have enough cause to contact your ISP (by telephone, not email). Keep the offending emails, as their headers provide information for them to trace the source.
Andrew
Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by John Channing
quote:
Dr Channing you have been mentioned as a possible member of the quartet using the name Lionel.If you are then please would you desist in sending filth to my email address as its causing considerable distress to my girlfriend.Should it not be you but one of your Naim Associates perhaps you might intervene.Should you be innocent you have of course my appology.
I have nothing to do with it and nor would any of my "Naim Associates". How have you determined the source of these offensive emails?? Pure guesswork?
John
More Hutter, more Hutter!
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Mike Hanson
Willem van Gemert said:quote:
The Naim racks look IMHO really horrible (a mixture of BASE, RA Torlyte and Vuk's DIY rack) and their price is just outrageous!
Actually, they look a heck of a lot nicer than Mana, but that's just my opinion. Interestingly, I also showed the picture to my wife. She has scoffed at every stand that I've ever showed her, but her first comment regarding the new Naim offerings was "very nice". If they sound as good as they look, then they'll probably be a big hit with most Naim owners and their spouses.
It's a shame (shaim?) about the price, though. It means that I'll probably be buying Mana, even though it's ugly. Of course, hiding it in the closet will always help that problem. Catch you later!
-=> Mike Hanson <=-
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Dev B
quote:
Mr Channing you have been mentioned as a possible member of the quartet using the name Lionel.If you are then please would you desist in sending filth to my email address as its causing considerable distress to my girlfriend.Should it not be you but one of your Naim Associates perhaps you might intervene.Should you be innocent you have of course my appology
Hooch,
I, nor any of my friends, would do such a thing.
You will notice a post on the MANA forum which explains my position.
Apart from all this, I have to say that you do occupy a special position in my thoughts: how many forum contributors have attained so much noteriety that they actually attract an imposter?
And you also do seem to be the butt of all wobbly jokes (boom, boom) after your recent tirade on Naims substandard manufacturing. And then there was all those mullett and combeover jokes.<big grin> And as for the sp,elling...
bye for now.
Dev
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Greg Beatty
WOW!!! I go away for a few weeks...
Those racks, a Nait 5/CD5, and the 'baby NBLs' could be my next system!!!
- GregB
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Rico
Welcome back, Greg
Rico - all your base are belong to us.
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Willem van Gemert
Hi Mike,
Funny, I showed the picture of the Naim stands to my wife and she said "Come on be serious, these are even uglier than the other ones you showed me some time ago [Hutter]". And she really hates the way the Hutter stands look!
She only likes the Mana and Finite Elemente Pagode racks, with a preference for Mana in combination with Naim gear. I agree completely with her.
Ciao!
Willem
P.S. If I were Naim I would worry now that Mick said "the Naim stand looks great!" 
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Mike Hanson
My wife and I dislike most funiture involving glass and metal framework, which explains our attitudes regarding Mana. It seems very "70's bachelor pad". BTW, do you like really deep shag carpets too?
We're much more into natural designs, and occasionally intersting artistic statements (which explains the Naim racks quite well).
By the way I also appreciate the Finite Elemente racks (as a sculpture, if nothing else), although my wife thinks they're far too intense. If you put that in any room, it would immediately become the centerpiece. If that is the point of the room, then so be it. For most people, though, their stereos present only one element of their room.
Ultimately, it comes down to intentions, expectations, opinions, preferences, etc. Have a good day.
-=> Mike Hanson <=-
[This message was edited by Mike Hanson on MONDAY 26 February 2001 at 19:38.]
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Mike Hanson
I'm sorry to say that haven't got a great picture of our decorating style on hand, although I do have this rather cropped photo showing my oak cabinet and a bit of the couch.
I've been told that our apartment living room is "mission style". Had I known this, I would have likely gravitated away from it, just because it's recently become very popular. (I don't like to be a sheep.) The cabinet, couch and coffee table are destined to go to rec room / home theatre in the basement where it belongs. The living room in the new house is much better. If you come by once we get it setup, you'll see that we're not all that staid.
As to my wife's and my taste, it varies quite a bit. Generally we like warm, natural, comfortable interiors, with the occasional bit of quirkiness here and there.
BTW, I have shown her the pictures of your system/room, and she's also had the pleasure of the short visit to your humble abode. She thinks your place is nice, albeit a touch stark. She still doesn't like the Mana, but says that it works in your space.
-=> Mike Hanson <=-
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Thomas K
Mike,
You’re a right good laugh and probably a really good mate, but THAT is hideous! As a kid I spent a couple of years in Canada – your living room is exactly the way I remember people’s homes there.
As concerns the racks, my Pagode does indeed look a bit imposing. Your wife would probably consider my flat to be stark too, but the rack fits in quite nicely with that sort of environment. A female friend recently came round and said the whole set-up looked very “Zen” – quite proud of that, actually.
BTW, did you all notice that Greg is about to resume the old upgrade frenzy?
Thomas
[This message was edited by Thomas Kunzler on MONDAY 26 February 2001 at 18:09.]
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Thomas K
Well OK, Vuk,
Your pad seems to be the one exception in Canada, but then, you're not Canadian, eh?!
(dig the gold frames)
Thomas
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Thomas K
Vuk,
I understood your message as intended. (I have the exact same curtain rails with the curly thing at the end.)
C'mon Mike, don't sulk! More pics! More pics!
Thomas
More Oak! More Oak!
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Mick P
Mr Vuksanovic
You appear to be questioning the good taste of my wife and I for interior decoration.
I have to advise you that you have a very similar rug to ours, so possibly you are more aligned to my taste that what you realise.
Also, I wear nothing but black socks, so our dress style may have a lot in common.
There is hope for you yet.
Regards
Mick....epitimy of good taste
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Mike Hanson
Maybe I didn't make it clear in my message. I'm not completely happy with the look of my place, although it's more desirable for me than Vuk's living room, which feels quite stiff in comparison. I don't live in a museum (or Ikea, for that matter). My place is very comfortable, and we've actually had many compliments on it. Everything works pretty well together.
The cabinet is a compromise, as I needed something to house the TV and stereo, and my wife wanted the gear "hidden". It's quite suitable for a rec room, but is certainly not great for a "formal" sitting room. Now that we have the upcoming house, we'll have both rooms (formal and informal) to play with.
My biggest beef has been too much stuff in too little space. We have almost enough in our 2-bedroom apartment and my small office to fill a biggish 3-bedroom house w/finished basement. Consequently, we've been forced to make compromises here and there. I'm just amazed that the crammed status isn't painfully obvious.
-=> Mike Hanson <=-
[This message was edited by Mike Hanson on MONDAY 26 February 2001 at 19:40.]
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Willem van Gemert
This is the only picture I have of our living room with my system before adding the NAC 102, Hicap and NAP 180. I have to make some better pictures one of these days, because this one really doesn't do any justice to the place!
Ciao!
Willem
P.S. Vuk, thanks for the kind words, being half Dutch and half Greek I come indeed from a civilised and cultured place!
Thomas, I'm waiting for your comments! Sorry for not having replied to your e-mail yet, but I've been extremely busy lately!
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Thomas K
Well, alright, Willem.
Looks OK. I’m particularly intrigued with the dinosaur model. But too many right angles, somehow. And I see you have a tiled floor 
, but I suppose it wasn’t up to you.
I might move into a different flat in the same house soon – they’re currently doing it all up, everything will be new including a waxed, natural oak floor and floor heating (a rare commodity on the Continent). What do you think?
And what’s more: My landlord has already installed a dedicated spur for me – how much better can it get?
Thomas
[This message was edited by Thomas Kunzler on MONDAY 26 February 2001 at 21:21.]
