Equipment support design concepts?
Posted by: Tony L on 14 November 2001
quote:
I will not seek to enter the, QS is better than Fraim debate, although I do have my personal preferences !!I do however find it interesting that the latest "improvement" to the QS involves the cutting of a hole in the shelf, which is well nigh a copy of the Fraim design. Perhaps, soon to be followed by a sophisticated decoupleing solution based around an extensively researched and engineered approach involving a ball bearing and a cup arrangement with a glass shelf to provide further isolation and energy disipation.
The thing that interests me is the indication that Naim hold some theories as to how and why their Fraim stand works. Mana also claim to know why their stand does what it does, though ain't telling anyone despite it being safely patented. Larry (the designer of the QS Reference) has some theories on why the QS Ref works, though a large part of that tables design appears to be the work of trial and error combined with really extensive listening tests at every stage. (I will let someone closer to the shop outline his theories - Dave C you out there?).
It is interesting that the four stands that have emerged at the top of the pile (QS Ref, Fraim, Mana, Hutter) all use radically different techniques to achieve what they do. At one end of the scale we have the ultra floppy QS Ref which noticeably wobbles, through multi level Mana that sort of sways, to Fraim which appears ultra rigid. Massive differences exist in design before we even start to think about the materials used and their effect on electronic components.
OK Naim, how and why does Fraim do what it does? What properties do you reckon are desirable in an equipment support? I am sure these questions could be answered without giving out any trade secrets.
Tony.
As for the QS Ref modification, I have this awful feeling that it won't be a case of swapping the shelves for ones with holes cut in them - at a tenner a shelf plus the old shelf, but I shall have to send all my shelves back to QS for them to perform the modification, and return them to me some weeks later...
This will possibly mean that I'll have to spend several weeks without music! 
I hope this is not the case...
Could someone please clarify this situation.
It's always a nice day for it 
Have a good one! 
Steve.
It's good to get back to normal.
You could do the job yourself. It isn't rocket science and isn't even particulary new or unique unlike certain statements made elsewhere.
My own product originated from mass relief experiments in 1986 and for a time('89-92)it was sold with a mass relief cutout as an option.
Vuk's "Holy Triangle" support is a variation based on the same concepts also well preceeding Fraim and QS Ref.
I'm sure others have done similarly.
The principle is simple in that the hole removes unsupported mass not essential to the support of the component or for structural integrity.
This unsupported mass has the tendency to store energy and re-release it back into the system(ie- it "waffles" and drones), resulting in time-related smearing, obscuration of low level information and corruption of note shapes.
Removing mass speeds the recovery of the shelf (& thus the component) from both internal and externally sourced vibration.
I've been recommending this mod for years at various internet fora for owners of mdf shelved stands such as Target, Standesign, etc.
All you need do is to purchase a largish (approx 120-140mm dia) hole saw, mark your centerpoint and clamp the shelving in a drill press, cutting the hole halfway thru ,flipping it over and completing the hole from the opposite side.Touch up the hole with some light sandpaper to finish and reassemble your QS.
Regards,
Ken Lyon
GreaterRanges/Neuance
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Toy:
"...but I shall have to send all my shelves back to QS for them to perform the modification, and return them to me some weeks later...
This will possibly mean that I'll have to spend several weeks without music!
I'd rather be without my music for a wee while, so that it can be done professionally, and so the areas cut away can be recoated in the same satin black finish.
It's always a nice day for it Have a good one!
Steve.
It's good to get back to normal.
PS: I'm Steven, and not Stephen - my mother's decision, not mine!
What possessed you to take the risk with your own QS Ref. shelves in the first place?
I'm glad you did it though!
It's always a nice day for it Have a good one!
Steve.
It's good to get back to normal.
I read something in your profile about perennial under-achievers...
Hey, I'm one of those guys!
It's always a nice day for it Have a good one!
Steve.
It's good to get back to normal.
quote:Ah, Air Hockey, the fastest pub sport on the planet.
Craig's stiffy post keeps reminding me of air hockey. What a great game.
If one has the reflexes to keep pace with the action, then it is all just a matter of timing. With practice two players can achieve a certain rhythm. One must take care, however, as one's opponent will shoot one right up yer 'ole.
Let's start with this trade secret question:
"Why is the Fraim so expensive?"
BAM
Quite simply, I let my ears decide!
IMHO, the whies and wherefores are of secondary imporance, which is *why* you won't be geting any from me - I just couldn't be bothered to do the research.
It's always a nice day for it Have a good one!
Steve.
It's good to get back to normal.
