Quadraspire SVT Bronze Upgrade

Posted by: MDS on 27 June 2015

This afternoon my dealer brought over two sets of Quadraspire SVT bronze spikes to try on my Sunoko-Vent racks. These are intended to support the top shelf in a rack, further isolating the equipment sat on on it. The Quadraspire website suggests this is aimed at upgrading the performance of source components but in my system the top shelves of the ‘brain’ and ‘brawn’ racks are a 282 and its Supercap, respectively. But we thought it worth an experiment to see if supporting either of these components would reap a performance benefit when sat on a shelf supported by the bronze spikes.

First impressions of the spikes are they looks classy and well made. They come with a pair of white gloves with which they are meant to be handled, which provoked me into a little tease of my dealer (he doesn’t really look like a concierge).

Anyway I’ve a attached a few pics so folk can see what they look like in place (the spikes not the white gloves).

First up we tried putting the bronze spikes on the shelf supporting the Supercap. I wasn’t expecting to hear a difference but using Seal’s Killer as a test we both could hear subtle improvements with more detail and notes decay seemed to to be better resolved. So a subtle improvement but encouraged my dealer then put the second set of spikes on the shelf under the 282 and we played Killer again. Well about 10 secs into the song it was obvious we were listening to an improvement. Resolution was clearly improved and bass was deeper. Indeed you could feel it, as well as hear it. This was not subtle. Next up some Hugh Laurie. Again extra resolution and control was clear. We both agreed this was an excellent performance.

In discussion, we agreed the improvement in performance was similar to when we had tried Powerlines in my system a while back. My dealer felt it was like moving from Fraim-lite to full fat Fraim.

So I’ve got these bronze spikes on loan over the weekend to try a wider range on music but initial impressions are very favourable.

Mike

Posted on: 06 September 2015 by MDS

This morning I had the pleasure of listening to Mike1380's system with the newly installed bronze spikes supporting his LP12. Must say the performance lift was surprisingly significant given the relatively modest cost of the spikes. We played some Hugh Laurie, Seal, Hendrix and AC/DC, material I used to hearing on his system. What struck me first was the pleasing warmth; that LP12 signature more noticeable than I'm used to. The vocals seemed to me to be very well resolved, with space around the lead vocalist that made placement all the easier. Finally, there was quite a drop in the noise floor. Being CD guy, I found the background noise on vinyl a bit distracting at times but there were times this morning when that noise was so low I almost forgot I was listening to vinyl! Very nice indeed.

For those on here with Quadraspire racks I would heartily recommend trying out these bronze spikes.

Mike

Posted on: 06 September 2015 by KRM

Originally Posted by

For those on here with Quadraspire racks I would heartily recommend trying out these bronze spikes.

Mike

...and for those without Quadraspire racks, perhaps you should get one ;-)

Yes, the effect of cones on the noise floor of the LP12 is pretty extraordinary. Looking forward to your review of the bamboo shelves Mike.

Keith

Posted on: 11 September 2015 by hungryhalibut

Despite my initial reticence, I've had a complete volte face and bought a bamboo SVT. After praising the Hutter, I have to say that this sounds miles better. I bought four shelves with the intention of using the spikes between them, but the silver tops aren't long enough to go through a shelf. From the pictures, I assume they are available - do you know what exactly I need to specify?

Posted on: 11 September 2015 by Mike1380

There are two different lengths of silver top cap for the bronze spikes to sit on, dependant on whether you're opting for the two top shelves close together or not.

You'll probably find that Quadraspire can do a swap, but if it's anything like on my 19mm columns the version that's long enough to do what you want (and hence I opted for, as did Keith) would stand proud if you weren't adding that fouirth shelf.

Hope that helps

Mike

Posted on: 11 September 2015 by hungryhalibut

Thanks Mike. Clearly it's the long ones that I need.

Posted on: 12 September 2015 by Martin Rose

Hi Nigel,

You know when I saw your redecorated room it did cross my mind that a lovely simple 2 box system like yours was just crying out for a Quadraspire Bronze spike rack . Didn't say anything because I didn't want to course affiance and was wary of overhyping the whole Bronze Spike thing .

I had come across Hutter in the past and had been impressed with it . Do you think there may be room for a standard Q4 Evo shelf with Bronze Spikes under your 250 as a sub table ?

Really pleased for you Bronze Spikes rock .

Martin

Posted on: 12 September 2015 by hungryhalibut

The sub table idea, while interesting, is not something I'd consider, as I want to keep things simple. My ever helpful dealer will sort out the longer tops next week, then I'll be able to add the extra shelf on top, which should look better.

The rack looks lovely in the room and Hilary much prefers it to the Hutter. The build quality is top notch and the bamboo looks great. As has been said above, it looks much better in real life than in the photos, and it's far nicer than the much more flimsy looking Q4. It sounds miles better than the Q4 too. The bronze spikes are very big chunky things, and I now understand why they cost what they do.

Posted on: 12 September 2015 by KRM

It looks very nice Nigel and I'm sure it sounds fabulous. It will sound even better with the extra shelf, and will look better too (cones straight onto legs make it look like it's standing on tip toe). Quadraspire will send your dealer some longer screws to swap with the old ones.

Keith

Posted on: 12 September 2015 by b_lund

As an owner of old Q4 I wonder if it can be upgraded to Bamboo/Bronze in any way ?

Have been waiting for this era as Fraim & Hutter are no go for me,

Posted on: 12 September 2015 by 911gt3r

Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

I did borrow the Quadraspire bamboo whilst waiting for a Fraim order, which went a bit sour. I have to say that Fraim is considerably better like it or not?! This takes me back to an SL2 gathering, which you might remember for the advice you gave me....... ! ATB Peter

Posted on: 12 September 2015 by KRM

You would hope that the Fraim is better than the Q4 and SVT, given the price difference. Also, I note that you haven't tried the bronze cones, so I'm not sure you are comparing the same thing.

In fact, I haven't claimed that the Quadraspire is better than the Fraim, but I would recommend that others trying Quadraspire before before going for the Fraim.

Keith

Posted on: 12 September 2015 by KRM

Originally Posted by b_lund:

As an owner of old Q4 I wonder if it can be upgraded to Bamboo/Bronze in any way ?

Have been waiting for this era as Fraim & Hutter are no go for me,

Yes, you can add a bamboo/bronze shelf, but it might look a bit rubbish if the finish doesn't match you existing shelves.

Posted on: 12 September 2015 by Ravenswood10

The Fraim is considerably more expensive so it has every right to be better! I've just taken delivery of three SVT racks and am very pleased with them.

Posted on: 12 September 2015 by GraemeH

Just had a look at the 'Bronze upgrade' part of the Quadraspire website.

Wouldn't be letting on to the ASA,,,

Posted on: 12 September 2015 by MDS

Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

Pleased to hear that you've discovered the merits of Quadraspire, HH. I've enjoyed my SVT for sometime and am in the process of adding a couple of bamboo shelves, though mine will be in black. As well as the performance and looks, an aspect that I also appreciate is that it doesn't 'go off' and need rebuilding, tightening etc etc. It just works and stays that way.

Mike

Posted on: 29 October 2015 by MDS

Well my newly serviced and DR'ed SuperCap returned today and is currently sitting in the corner warming up in anticipation of Saturday afternoon's re-instal when the two SVT bamboo shelves will also go in. Should be interesting.

Mike

Posted on: 29 October 2015 by hungryhalibut

Indeed. I've only experienced the bamboo version of the SVT so don't know what benefits the bamboo shelves bring, other than comments in reviews. I've also never heard it without the bronze spikes, so again don't know what the extra cost provides. Still, my all bamboo rack does sound rather fine, and looks lovely.

Posted on: 29 October 2015 by badlands

Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

Told ya so. Boy, that was a quick change of heart from your earlier comments about how you should just buy the Hutter.

Posted on: 31 October 2015 by MDS

So my newly serviced and DR’ed SuperCap was re-installed today along with the bamboo SVT in a close-coupled configuration.

We started with the SuperCap and gave it a listen before installing the bamboo. I had been impressed at the performance of the loaned Flatcap while my SuperCap was at Salisbury but the re-insertion of the SC showed instantly that it was in a different league, as it should given the price differential. It has only had a couple days to warm up so is only in the very early stages of run-in but it already sounded better as a result of it's trip back to Naim.

Next the bamboo SVT was installed. We then used AC/DC’s live recording of Thunderstruck to assess the impact. The bamboo made an immediate impression, too. The soundstage widened a bit, the timing seemed to improve and the bass most definitely was tighter with more control but without losing any depth. Further listening revealed a bit more detail too. Of course as well as the effect of the bamboo SVT there’s probably a benefit too from using the old SVT shelf to stabilise the columns below, relieving the bronze spikes of that task. So initial impressions are very favourable. Definitely a worthwhile investment.

I also like the looks. I’ll try to post some pics tomorrow when the light in the room is better.

Mike

Posted on: 02 November 2015 by MDS

Would have posted the pics yesterday but along with another 65,000 South London customers of Sky my broadband and phone was out of action for most of Sunday (Grrrr..)

Anyway here's a close-up of the close-coupled shelves.

Posted on: 02 November 2015 by MDS

And another of the system itself.

Mike

Posted on: 02 November 2015 by hungryhalibut

They look much better like that, without the funny perched on top thing that you get when the spikes sit on the tops of the legs. The bamboo shelves are amazing things - you cannot see it of course with the black version, but on the natural bamboo you see how they are made into solid sheets. Have you noticed the the bamboo shelves are not engineered on the bottom, unlike the standard veneered MDF ones?

Posted on: 02 November 2015 by MDS

Yes, HH. They definitely look better in the close-coupled configuration. In black I thought the bamboo looked very similar to the standard SVT, save for being slightly thinner. Actually while there's no engineering on the underside, the latest SVT doesn't have that either. I noticed that when ordering additional shelves when I split out the racks. My older ones have the engineering underneath but the recent ones just have the slats.

Mike

Posted on: 12 November 2015 by KRM

Sorry Mike, I spotted this a bit late.

Did you notice an improvement in SQ with the bamboo?

Keith

Posted on: 13 November 2015 by MDS

Hi Keith

We were careful to re-insert my newly serviced and DR'ed Supercap and assessing that before installing the SVT bamboo. When the latter was installed we certainly hear a difference. I would describe it as a bit cleaner and leaner. The bass was also noticeably tighter. I'm pleased with the result. With the bronze spikes and close-coupled bamboo shelves at the top my Quadraspire rack is pretty much maxed out now and since my kind dealer popped back to do some levelling of the rack (the brawn stack had sunk a bit) I can rest easy that it's performing at it best.

Mike