CDX , Fraim and chips
Posted by: Adolfo Aguiar on 24 March 2002
In the end of December, I made a trip to London and visited my dealer Grahams.
My system was LP12,Ittok LVII,Karma on Mana Ref, Rega Planet, 72, Hi, 250 on Sound Factory Tripods and Mission 753s.
I was looking for a more transparent and musical system. Bass is important for me. Main musical interests are prog rock, Radiohead, Mogwai, Ozric, etc.
I took home a CDX, Fraim (base and 3 levels) for the CDX and electronics and Naim chips for the wooden floor (under Fraim, Mana and Missions).
I installed each new item separately to evaluate its effect in the system.
Here are my impressions :
1. CDX
A huge upgrade from Planet, in all respects. Much closer to the feeling of musicians in the room.
I now enjoy both LPs (900) and CDs (600).
2. FRAIM
Expensive though worth every penny.
Awsome PRaT increase. The level of detail now available made me rediscover my well known favorite LPs and CDs.
3. Chips
A revelation.
My interest in the chips was just to improve the sound and not for wooden floor protection.
My expectations were fully met, with a noticeable bass tightening and more musical nuances available.
My system is now so good and musically involving that I decided to retire the REL Stentor subwoofer, which actually improves the bass end but subtracts musical nuances.
Thanks to Grahams (Connor) for the demonstrations and the forum for early guidance.
Adolfo
Posted on: 25 March 2002 by Hermann
quote:
3. Chips A revelation. AA
Thats an interesting point. I do have wooden floor. Currently use some pieces of MDF under the spikes to protect the floor.
Would like to know how it improoves the sound of the Ref. table. Did you do that step by step? Could you describe the effect for the LP12?
Many thanks in advance
Hermann
Posted on: 25 March 2002 by Adolfo Aguiar
Yes, I've done it step by step and the chips under the Reference Table was the last one.
The effects were :
- More detail in the music, i.e. a hidden noise became a flute phrase, etc
- More tuneful bass
Worthwhile a try.
Adolfo
Posted on: 25 March 2002 by garyi
Are these chips quite specific to the fraim or could they be used under SBLs etc, no real reason just the 2 pences look ugly!
Posted on: 25 March 2002 by Adolfo Aguiar
Chips are effective in anything with spikes on a wooden floor. You can search the forum on Naim's reply to that question.
Posted on: 25 March 2002 by Hermann
Thanks for that Adolfo,
Will see. Did you know how much they are?
Are they possibly the same as Linn provided for there Kustone spikes?
Cheers
Hermann
Posted on: 26 March 2002 by Adolfo Aguiar
A set of 3 chips costs 45 GBP.
I am not familiar with Linn Kustone.
Adolfo
Posted on: 27 March 2002 by David Dever
The chips are worth it, and more massive than they appear. Better than soft wood floors beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Posted on: 07 October 2002 by GC
best £60 ive ever spent!!
- they sent me 4!
Posted on: 07 October 2002 by David Hobbs-Mallyon
gus,
As they cost £15 quid each, I can see why they sent you four.
£15 quid does seem a bit steep - the improvement would have to be good. I manaaged to beg some Tannoy equivalents for nothing from my dealer. They sound better than 2p, 5p - no idea why this should be. Still can't bring myself to get the Naim chips though.
David
Posted on: 07 October 2002 by GC
hi david,
i try to look at it as a %age of the price of the system, perhaps 0.3% of total value yet the improvements they made im sure just could not be made by anything else.......ring up naim, they will probably sell them on a sale or return, ive never tried the coins but it would be interesting to see if there is any difference between these and other types. they match the fraim too and look quite nice, or rather they dont detract from the looks. one further point - these should come free with a hifi rack that costs over £2000.........
Posted on: 07 October 2002 by NB
Would you reccomend putting the chips under your speakers as well. If so I need 11 at a cost of £165 Gulp!
Regards
NB
Posted on: 07 October 2002 by Nigel Cavendish
.
cheers
Nigel
Posted on: 07 October 2002 by NB
Would be interested to know whether you still think they are worth it after you have installed them and listened to the effect.
Regards
NB
Posted on: 07 October 2002 by GC
cant comment on the speaker stands - but for the equipment stand they work wonders!
Posted on: 07 October 2002 by Paul Stephenson
Nigel and some....... try the "chips" you seem willing to spend money on other accessories and cables........
these are turned from solid and work really well. No-one who has bought them has sent them back!!
They work really well under mana stands!
Posted on: 07 October 2002 by graphoman
“Are these chips quite specific to the fraim or could they be used under SBLs etc”
As you may remember I have imitated not only the Fraim but the Chips as well. So they are not factury manufactured but they work excellent both under my “Fraim” and the SBLs.
graphoman
Posted on: 07 October 2002 by pac
Anyone compared Linn's Skeet floor protectors for spiked feet to these Naim Chips?
thanks
Posted on: 07 October 2002 by Phil Mlsna
Anyone compared Linn's Skeet floor protectors for spiked feet to these Naim Chips?
Ditto that question. I'm running a pair of briks on open (old-style) Linn isobarik stands. The Skeets keep my hardwood floor from damage and even let me experiment with speaker repositioning without having to rent a crane.
I've put coins between the speaker cabinets and the upper spikes. That has helped boost resolution and musicality by a respectable amount.
Would Chips have a sonic advantage over Skeets in a set-up like this?
Posted on: 07 October 2002 by Philippe Dancause
I have done many experimentations with pennies and metal bases under my rack in the last few months and can tell, for those who like me are still trying to absorb the cost of there system (!), that puting a 10 cents over a penny (in canada a 10cents is smaller than 1 penny) under each spike proves very beneficial for resolution, bass and overall realism. I found this a bit better than pennies alone.
Just try it (until you can pay for chips).
Doesn't cost much to try and is totaly reversible if you do not like it.
my 2 cents (in fact 44!)
[This message was edited by Philippe Dancause on WEDNESDAY 09 October 2002 at 00:40.]
Posted on: 07 October 2002 by Manu
I have 1c and 10c Can for sale.
5US$ or 5 Euro for a set of 4 (+ S/H).
Visa, MC, Amex, Canadian Tire money, accepted, sorry no cash or check.
Emmanuel
All opinions are my own, and reflect those of the organisation i work for, even if not stipulated.
Posted on: 07 October 2002 by Manu
Sorry, I was writting a constructive comment on Philippe post but my Navigator freezes. Too late to retype it for now.
Emmanuel
All opinions are my own, and reflect those of the organisation i work for, even if not stipulated.
Posted on: 08 October 2002 by NB
PAUL
I have a Naim Fraim and Ruark Equinox speakers which have their own dedicated spiked stands.
I assume that the chips will work well with the Fraim but do you think they will work equally well with the Ruarks?
Regards
NB
Posted on: 08 October 2002 by Philippe Dancause
Manu,
I also have a special "millenium set" which uses 1 cents and 10 cents that were made to comemorate the new millenium.
Should have better result on new still equipment
nuff said now!
Phil
Posted on: 08 October 2002 by Paul Stephenson
but do you think they will work equally well with the Ruarks?
Should be fine but I have not tried.
Posted on: 08 October 2002 by David Hobbs-Mallyon
Paul,
This is a serious question - why should these work better than a 2p/10p piece?
David
