Quadraspire SVT Bronze Upgrade

Does anyone know how they should be set on a bamboo Q4? If set-up is so critical I'm surprised they didn't come with any instructions. They came straight from Quadraspire so it's not as if my dealer has the instructions in the shop.

Hi Geko,

I believe they should be reasonably tight. The combination of bamboo and bronze spikes is quite special. On Tuesday Quadraspire are demonstrating their new stuff to my dealer who asked if I (+ my golden eared wife) would like to sit in, so I will ask.

Keith

When used on a Q4 it's a development of and direct replacement for the old reference top so not a bodge job. Yes it is the Bees Knees and the Dogs Testicles . However you can only use it once per stack. 

Martin

Yesterday afternoon we had the pleasure of meeting Alester Hells, the designer of the Quadraspire's recent product developments. It was a fascinating and entertaining hour or two. We were able to listen to a NDS on Q4E, SVT and reference with bronze spikes and bamboo shelves.

The good news for Mike (the OP) is that bamboo is now available in black. We are now pondering whether to upgrade to SVT or simply add bamboo plus bronze spikes to our existing table (and spend the saving on the DR upgrades?!). 

Keith

Hi Keith

My dealer was over at my place this evening (more to follow in another post) and he mentioned that bamboo was now available in black. However he suggested that the cost of swopping out SVT shelves for bamboo wasn't justified by the performance upgrade.  Doing so for Q4 shelves might be a different equation of course.

Mike 

This evening my dealer and I did some experimentation with the use of the shelves being supported by the bronze spikes. Previously they supported the 282 and the Supercap and the performance improvement on the former was significantly greater than the latter.  So in light of that we wondered whether there was more performance to be wrung from the set of spikes supporting the top shelf of the ‘brawn’ rack by swopping some boxes so that the nDAC sat on the top of the brawn rack. Even though I am powering it from a 555PS, its internal PSU is still active so it is part ‘brawn’, part ‘brain’. Also, it radiates upwards so ideally sits on the top shelf.  To make room in the brawn rack we switched the 250.2 to the bottom shelf of the brain rack where the nDAC previously sat.  The 250.2 is of course part brain, part brawn too so I figured we weren’t the comprising the separation too badly. As my dealer pointed out, this new configuration also gave some benefits in cable dressing with the burndy between the nDAC and 555PS and the SL interconnect hanging freely between the two components on the top shelves.

Initial impressions were not quite what I expected.  Yes, the nDAC seemed a bit more ‘pacy’ but I also felt something was missing. Hard to describe, but the previous and enjoyable ‘darkness’ had receded, and the bass seemed to have lost a bit of richness. Of course, after a 40 minute power down the system really needs a few hours to settle before comparable judgements can be made so I’m having to be patient but happily I have the spikes on loan for while yet so will have the opportunity to do a proper evaluation.  So more updates to come.

Mike    

Just do the top shelf (or shelves). Apparently, and not surpripsingly, the big difference is the source component. If they're black you won't have aesthetic issue, except the bamboo shelves are slightly thicker. We have cherry, so this more of an issue for us.

Previous post should have said Alester Kells, by the way. I couldn't get back on the forum after posting. Eventually managed to sign out and in which fixed the problem, but not the spelling.

Hi other Mike,

The bronze spikes are a more significant upgrade than the bamboo, so try them and avoid the aesthetic issue, which I agree is a pain.

Hi MDS Mike,

It sounds like you're having fun. I guess you could buy a record player so you have sources on both racks, like me ;-)

Keith

Still got one in the loft somewhere, Keith, but I moved away from vinyl many years ago and while I enjoy listening to friends' vinyl systems I'm never going back myself. I'm a CD luddite now

Mike  

Well now we come to the end of the story.  First  impressions after the re-stack have continued through the rest of the week. The system didn’t sound bad as such but somehow wasn’t connecting with me as it usually does.  So this evening my very patient and knowledgeable dealer popped over for a listen.  We played AC/DC’s live recording, Thunderstruck, a song we both know and love.  In the re-stacked configuration the song sounded pretty good and I’m sure many neutral listeners would have loved what they were hearing but my dealer and I knew the system was capable of more. I don’t know if the timing that was off but for me while the rendition was technically good the system had lost its ability to communicate at an emotional level. Dealer agreed.

So the system was powered-down and the stacks re-configured into their original order leaving the 282 and SuperCap on the top shelves of the brain and brawn racks respectively and both shelves supported by the bronze spikes.  The system was powered up again and Thunderstruck was played again.

For those unfamiliar with the song, it begins with the audience cheering and singing.  The band appear gradually with each instrument adding to the mix until the song really gets into its stride when the performance becomes visceral.  The first clue to the crowd of the identity of the opening song is the sound of pre-recorded thunder. As that thunder rolled out of my Electras we both chuckled as it was so clear that the system has got its mojo back.  The subsequent rendition of the song was wonderful!

This evening it’s more of the same.  The richness and vibrancy is back. The music isn’t so much a reproduction as a performance. Seal is enjoying himself again; and I’m not listening to a recording of Suzanne Vega in a studio (People & Places), she’s singing to me!

Why this is so I can’t adequately explain but the bronze spikes must be doing much more for the Supercap than I initially gave credit for.    

The story therefore ends with my brain and brawn rack retaining the original stacking order but with the top two shelves now enjoying the Quadraspire SVT bronze spikes.  They are staying. For good.  Something of an unexpected journey but one that has ended well.   

Mike   

I've upgraded from cherry Q4 to bamboo SVT with bronze cones.

It looks nice and sounds amazing. I seem to have acquired an extra octave of base, more detail, dynamics and excitement, but this may be partly down to redressing the cables. However, that would apply to everyone who upgrades their stands.

Keith

Looks very nice, Keith.  The contrast between cherry, black columns and the spikes works really well.  I see you've also gone a further step than me by adding an extra shelf at the top of the racks i.e. using one to stabilise the columns below and the other just supported by the spikes.  I've discussed that option with my dealer and am tempted to see if that would add a further benefit.  Did you try both options?

Mike 

Thanks Mike,

I agree black and bamboo looks really nice and is a better match with my cherry speakers than cherry! 

I think SVT is hard to beat in terms of visual appeal. The photos don't really do it justice, but it looks so much nicer than the Q4.

I haven't done the A-B with the extra shelf, but moving from bronze cones directly onto uprights and MDF Q4 was a big improvement (and looks nicer). You could do worse than get or borrow a couple of black bamboo shelves to sit on top of your existing rig

Keith

Thanks, Keith. Yes, I think I might try that.

By the way, I also agree with your assessment about the spikes adding another octave at the bottom end.  I've been pleased with the benefit the spikes have given me, though as you know from my previous posts, I've elected to use the spikes under my 282 and Supercap rather than the source(s) as in your case.

Mike  

I misread this at first, and wasn't sure how that would help.

Interestingly, Quadraspire have found that the LP12 sounds better without the brass inserts. You can see in this picture that the lone the right doesn't have the isolation gap.

Keith

Each to their own, but I definitely prefer the Quadraspire to the Hutter! Both in looks and sound.

Quadraspire is what Naim use when they're not using Fraims. I've been blown away by the bamboo and bronze and as has done for my system and it has the bonus of looking great. 

Hutter seems to divide opinion between those who absolutely love it and those who absolutely don't.

Keith

Looking forward to hearing that, Mike. 

Amazing, Isn't it Mike.

I think the Bronze cones plus bamboo shelves take Quadraspire to a completely different level (literally!)They are cheaper and better looking than the Fraim at a fraction of the price. The full fat Fraim is still the one to beat, but there is now a cost effective and attractive (the SVT looks really nice in bamboo) alternative.

Keith

Keith

I have a couple of bamboo SVT shelves on order.  Will report back when they arrive.

Mike

I've been looking for an old reference " bog seat " shelf with the intention of doing the same thing on my Q4 set up .  

The more I live with the Bronze spikes the more convinced I become that this is a major upgrade.

Keith , your set up looks fab. 

Martin