which expensive hi- fi Rack ?

Hi Loki, I think you found yourself a bargain, congratulations...

Indeed Wenger  

I've just ordered 2 Hi-fi Racks Podium Reference racks.

The beauty of these is they can be manufactured to bespoke sizes: I'm getting one rack 570mm wide (for my just ordered NAC-N272 and NAP250 and my existing Mantra turntable and MB6 power supply); and one rack 350mm wide (for my just ordered Hi-Cap and StageLine and existing Cyrus CD6).

So they will both fit in a 1000mm wide alcove. They are made from solid oak (other woods are available at a premium), so look nice, too.

LANESRA,

That's going to look very very nice, when it's all together in situ, congratulations.

I know .They certainly have my wife's approval!

Holdthemusic' do some very tasty SWMBO racks. Almost ordered this stunning little number..

Still somewhat bemused and confused by the various Racks available!!!

Not convinced glass is preferable to wood shelves?

Noticed at recent Bristol show demo room, some boxes were placed on a wood only rack , possibly the naim fraim lite, some on the wood glass combination? 

Which is best glass or wood? 

Knipester posted:

Really nice rack; how does it sound ?

I can only recommend what I tried. 

Naim Fraim with Sonority shelves instead of glass could be the reference for all the rest. Not cheap but extremely good IMO. kind of Chord Music good...

Jonas Olofsson posted:

I can only recommend what I tried. 

Naim Fraim with Sonority shelves instead of glass could be the reference for all the rest. Not cheap but extremely good IMO. kind of Chord Music good...

Any more details on the Sonority shelves....? It's not something I've heard of before.

I bought Isoblue (in walnut) and I had so many cosmetic and structural defaults in it - even on the replacement parts - that I got fed up and disillusioned with the build quality and sent the whole lot back and got Fraimlite instead. There were small chips in the veneer where the groove was cut, nuts sitting proud of the underside of the shelf so the legs were not flush, recesses that were not deep enough for the wooden dowels, and colour matching issues that made some parts look like they were made from different wood.

I must have been unlucky because no-one else on here reported similar problems.

Will99 posted:

I bought Isoblue (in walnut) and I had so many cosmetic and structural defaults in it - even on the replacement parts - that I got fed up and disillusioned with the build quality and sent the whole lot back and got Fraimlite instead. There were small chips in the veneer where the groove was cut, nuts sitting proud of the underside of the shelf so the legs were not flush, recesses that were not deep enough for the wooden dowels, and colour matching issues that made some parts look like they were made from different wood.

I must have been unlucky because no-one else on here reported similar problems.

Sounds like you had a very unfortunate experience..... Like yourself I've only heard positive comments on the lsoblue rack.....ls your new fraim  wood only or the glass on wood combination?

wenger2015 posted:

Will99 posted:

I bought Isoblue (in walnut) and I had so many cosmetic and structural defaults in it - even on the replacement parts - that I got fed up and disillusioned with the build quality and sent the whole lot back and got Fraimlite instead. There were small chips in the veneer where the groove was cut, nuts sitting proud of the underside of the shelf so the legs were not flush, recesses that were not deep enough for the wooden dowels, and colour matching issues that made some parts look like they were made from different wood.

I must have been unlucky because no-one else on here reported similar problems.

Sounds like you had a very unfortunate experience..... Like yourself I've only heard positive comments on the lsoblue rack.....ls your new fraim  wood only or the glass on wood combination?

I've got Fraimlite which is the cheaper version without glass shelves. I did baulk at the cost of the more expensive Fraim (which has the glass shelves). I had heard that glass imparts a harshness to the sound also - which I am sure lots of happy Fraim owners will tell you is rubbish, but I couldn't afford proper Fraim.

Will99 posted:

wenger2015 posted:

Will99 posted:

I bought Isoblue (in walnut) and I had so many cosmetic and structural defaults in it - even on the replacement parts - that I got fed up and disillusioned with the build quality and sent the whole lot back and got Fraimlite instead. There were small chips in the veneer where the groove was cut, nuts sitting proud of the underside of the shelf so the legs were not flush, recesses that were not deep enough for the wooden dowels, and colour matching issues that made some parts look like they were made from different wood.

I must have been unlucky because no-one else on here reported similar problems.

Sounds like you had a very unfortunate experience..... Like yourself I've only heard positive comments on the lsoblue rack.....ls your new fraim  wood only or the glass on wood combination?

I've got Fraimlite which is the cheaper version without glass shelves. I did baulk at the cost of the more expensive Fraim (which has the glass shelves). I had heard that glass imparts a harshness to the sound also - which I am sure lots of happy Fraim owners will tell you is rubbish, but I couldn't afford proper Fraim.

Yes, I've heard the same comments...it's one of the reasons for me the jury is still out on what's best wood or glass? 

The glass and wood naim fraim seems an extremely expensive outlay for possibly just a different sound as opposed to a better sound?

wenger2015 posted:

Will99 posted:

I've got Fraimlite which is the cheaper version without glass shelves. I did baulk at the cost of the more expensive Fraim (which has the glass shelves). I had heard that glass imparts a harshness to the sound also - which I am sure lots of happy Fraim owners will tell you is rubbish, but I couldn't afford proper Fraim.

Yes, I've heard the same comments...it's one of the reasons for me the jury is still out on what's best wood or glass? 

The glass and wood naim fraim seems an extremely expensive outlay for possibly just a different sound as opposed to a better sound?

Well I'm sure there are a few Fraim vs Fraimlite discussions on this board. In truth I guess you will find a whole range of opinions in any discussion if the number of participants is large enough. I've never owned or even listened to Fraim (if that makes sense), however the sheer number of people on here for whom Fraim is their choice of rack, plus the fact that I am unaware of anything else in Naim's product ranges where extra outlay does not bring sonic benefits, would suggest to me that if I bought some Fraim then I would probably not look back !

None of the available Hifi Racks has a look I like - no matter how expensive they are, also Fraim and Fraimlite are not really my taste from an aesthetic perspective.

So a good friends of mine who is a product designer and me decided to develop our own modular rack system: We evaluated multiple materials and designs. I have the racks at home now for about one week and the sound is much better than my previous rack. Well, the previous rack was an Ikea Lack, so probably not too hard to beat

We have not yet reached the outstanding sound quality of a Fraim, but when comparing our self developed racks with the racks available at the local Naim dealer, we found that they outperform many of the available hifi racks.... will have some more evaluations of additional platforms and see where it leads us - definitely an exciting route to go

CariocaJeff posted:

I replaced my Fraim with the ESS, and am extremely pleased with it. Very expensive but worth it to get the best out of top end kit. use stillpoints through most of my system. Could not believe, or indeed understand the difference the stillpoint ultra 5s made under the HDX.

Finally somebody else uses stillpoints.  I thought I was the only one since every time I mention them they get dismissed as Snake Oil....  I have them under everything.

p. posted:

None of the available Hifi Racks has a look I like - no matter how expensive they are, also Fraim and Fraimlite are not really my taste from an aesthetic perspective.

So a good friends of mine who is a product designer and me decided to develop our own modular rack system: We evaluated multiple materials and designs. I have the racks at home now for about one week and the sound is much better than my previous rack. Well, the previous rack was an Ikea Lack, so probably not too hard to beat

We have not yet reached the outstanding sound quality of a Fraim, but when comparing our self developed racks with the racks available at the local Naim dealer, we found that they outperform many of the available hifi racks.... will have some more evaluations of additional platforms and see where it leads us - definitely an exciting route to go

 

What a terrific idea, the prototype in the picture looks very good and I don't see any glass...you must update as you progress....

Kevin Richardson posted:

CariocaJeff posted:

I replaced my Fraim with the ESS, and am extremely pleased with it. Very expensive but worth it to get the best out of top end kit. use stillpoints through most of my system. Could not believe, or indeed understand the difference the stillpoint ultra 5s made under the HDX.

Finally somebody else uses stillpoints.  I thought I was the only one since every time I mention them they get dismissed as Snake Oil....  I have them under everything.

I have read a lot about stillpoints ....all good I might add, but I would be interested to hear  a description of how the music is enhanced from good people like yourselfs who actually have them and found they work.............thanks in anticipation 

p. posted:

None of the available Hifi Racks has a look I like - no matter how expensive they are, also Fraim and Fraimlite are not really my taste from an aesthetic perspective.

So a good friends of mine who is a product designer and me decided to develop our own modular rack system: We evaluated multiple materials and designs. I have the racks at home now for about one week and the sound is much better than my previous rack. Well, the previous rack was an Ikea Lack, so probably not too hard to beat

We have not yet reached the outstanding sound quality of a Fraim, but when comparing our self developed racks with the racks available at the local Naim dealer, we found that they outperform many of the available hifi racks.... will have some more evaluations of additional platforms and see where it leads us - definitely an exciting route to go

 

Very nice indeed - I really like the combination of white paint and cross ply. Looks very contemporary and much more up to date than the obvious rack choices. If you ever decide to manufacture more versions then please send me a PM !

wenger2015 posted:

p. posted:

None of the available Hifi Racks has a look I like - no matter how expensive they are, also Fraim and Fraimlite are not really my taste from an aesthetic perspective.

So a good friends of mine who is a product designer and me decided to develop our own modular rack system: We evaluated multiple materials and designs. I have the racks at home now for about one week and the sound is much better than my previous rack. Well, the previous rack was an Ikea Lack, so probably not too hard to beat

We have not yet reached the outstanding sound quality of a Fraim, but when comparing our self developed racks with the racks available at the local Naim dealer, we found that they outperform many of the available hifi racks.... will have some more evaluations of additional platforms and see where it leads us - definitely an exciting route to go

 

What a terrific idea, the prototype in the picture looks very good and I don't see any glass...you must update as you progress....

thanks very much for your positive feedback - next steps will be to test black Corian against glass and some other materials, as well as balls+cups made of steel vs. ceramic etc. - will update as we progress 

Yetizone posted:

p. posted:

None of the available Hifi Racks has a look I like - no matter how expensive they are, also Fraim and Fraimlite are not really my taste from an aesthetic perspective.

So a good friends of mine who is a product designer and me decided to develop our own modular rack system: We evaluated multiple materials and designs. I have the racks at home now for about one week and the sound is much better than my previous rack. Well, the previous rack was an Ikea Lack, so probably not too hard to beat

We have not yet reached the outstanding sound quality of a Fraim, but when comparing our self developed racks with the racks available at the local Naim dealer, we found that they outperform many of the available hifi racks.... will have some more evaluations of additional platforms and see where it leads us - definitely an exciting route to go

 

Very nice indeed - I really like the combination of white paint and cross ply. Looks very contemporary and much more up to date than the obvious rack choices. If you ever decide to manufacture more versions then please send me a PM !

Indeed this is the plan. I could not find your e-mail-address or a button to send PM, so I have added my e-mail-address to my profile... please feel free to contact me, cheers

p. posted:

Yetizone posted:

p. posted:

None of the available Hifi Racks has a look I like - no matter how expensive they are, also Fraim and Fraimlite are not really my taste from an aesthetic perspective.

So a good friends of mine who is a product designer and me decided to develop our own modular rack system: We evaluated multiple materials and designs. I have the racks at home now for about one week and the sound is much better than my previous rack. Well, the previous rack was an Ikea Lack, so probably not too hard to beat

We have not yet reached the outstanding sound quality of a Fraim, but when comparing our self developed racks with the racks available at the local Naim dealer, we found that they outperform many of the available hifi racks.... will have some more evaluations of additional platforms and see where it leads us - definitely an exciting route to go

 

Very nice indeed - I really like the combination of white paint and cross ply. Looks very contemporary and much more up to date than the obvious rack choices. If you ever decide to manufacture more versions then please send me a PM !

Indeed this is the plan. I could not find your e-mail-address or a button to send PM, so I have added my e-mail-address to my profile... please feel free to contact me, cheers

Do you planning to use glass with your rack? Or are you unsure of the benefits...if any?

wenger2015 posted:

p. posted:

Yetizone posted:

p. posted:

None of the available Hifi Racks has a look I like - no matter how expensive they are, also Fraim and Fraimlite are not really my taste from an aesthetic perspective.

So a good friends of mine who is a product designer and me decided to develop our own modular rack system: We evaluated multiple materials and designs. I have the racks at home now for about one week and the sound is much better than my previous rack. Well, the previous rack was an Ikea Lack, so probably not too hard to beat

We have not yet reached the outstanding sound quality of a Fraim, but when comparing our self developed racks with the racks available at the local Naim dealer, we found that they outperform many of the available hifi racks.... will have some more evaluations of additional platforms and see where it leads us - definitely an exciting route to go

 

Very nice indeed - I really like the combination of white paint and cross ply. Looks very contemporary and much more up to date than the obvious rack choices. If you ever decide to manufacture more versions then please send me a PM !

Indeed this is the plan. I could not find your e-mail-address or a button to send PM, so I have added my e-mail-address to my profile... please feel free to contact me, cheers

Do you planning to use glass with your rack? Or are you unsure of the benefits...if any?

Sorry, should have said, are you planning to use glass with your rack?

Has anyone tried Audiophile Starbase? I have one of their isolation platform, it sounds excellent, and it's very well-made as well.