in anticipation of Fraim just ordered...

Posted by: Wunderbaum on 23 December 2016

Hi All - just wanted to share my excitement regarding the base + 3 shelves full fraim just ordered. It will replace my (hmm hmm) Ikea 50£ "rack" that is currently hosting my Naim gear.

Having followed some posts about Fraim stacking order, just want to run my plan by you for further advice.

As mentioned, it will be 1 x base and 3 additional standard levels. i know that two stacks might have been even better, but for now this is how it’s going to be. Furthermore the normal height levels were chosen for purely aesthetic reasons as i really like the compressed look of classic separates in a standard height fraim rack - even though some more air and separation might be beneficial to the overall sound.

my plan is to stack as this: Top level : NDX, 3rd level: 282, 2nd level: 250, bottom level/base : Napsc and Hicap DR

merry chrismas all!!

/morten

Posted on: 12 February 2017 by Richieroo

Hi I am really interested in what this has done to the sound of your system .... has it changed.....is the change very apparent???

Posted on: 12 February 2017 by Allante93

Wunderbaum posted:
The Fraim has finaly arrived - what a quality product - pictures just doesn't do it justice...
a fun build actually - and a temporary one, as my dealer/distributor missed the fraim chips/cups for the base level on my order.
Sonically we are looking at a tighter and 3d-like soundstage, maybe more refined lows /bass
Just had 2 hours listening time, so will update later when i have a more thorough listening session. right now NDX is on top - will try to switch it with the 282 at some point
here is the initial setup (including some of my Lego SW builds;-):

5 Likes!

Posted on: 12 February 2017 by Skip

If it were mine, I would re set it to get the speakers out of the corners of the room, away from the back wall, and have the Fraim to the side so that it is not between the speakers. But I am no expert.

The Fraim is a huge upgrade to what you (and all of us) had before.

You don't have to realize all of its potential at one time. But I can see set up improvements in your future.

Posted on: 13 February 2017 by Wunderbaum

thank you all for your comments and suggestions - surely the most dominant one being the system placed between the speakers - but as SKIP mentions, i quite like the notion that this is a journey of improvements (as my system has been) and for now, this is how the system is going to live;-)

To answer the Questions regarding improvements, i now have about 10 hours of listening with the current layout and i can say that i have definite improvements - most noticeable around image and separation of instruments - there is a very clear and defined 3d soundstage, with instruments and musicians well placed on the stage - that also translates to more defined frequencies, as individual instruments are allowed more "space" in the music.

And i have to say - as mentioned before - it looks SOO good;-) - i found myself going into my home office (were the system is placed) quite a few times during the weekend just to look at the damned thing!!!

in regards to value for money it would rank it as a black box upgrade (at least), but of course it depends on a lot of variables (system, previous rack etc) but i dont regret the purchase one moment - actually the Fraim is right now the only element in my system bought new - all else is preloved...

Posted on: 13 February 2017 by TOBYJUG

Yes spend a good while with it. Become familiar with the way everything sounds. Then try and borrow a long enough set of A5 speaker cables and position the Fraim as suggested and see if it makes a difference to your own ears. Then you will know for sure wether there is anything in it

i run my system between the speakers and many others do. Depending on room and of course speakers results will differ. The Fraim as far as I'm aware is more of a tuned support device made specifically with the resonant nature of Naim boxes in mind rather than an outright isolation solution so might not perform at best with strong vibrations coming from the speakers.

another consideration if you do decide to try is room nodes where strong low frequencies can collect. Probably a worse place to situate the Fraim.

Posted on: 13 February 2017 by antony d

Wunderbaum posted:
thank you all for your comments and suggestions - surely the most dominant one being the system placed between the speakers - but as SKIP mentions, i quite like the notion that this is a journey of improvements (as my system has been) and for now, this is how the system is going to live;-)
To answer the Questions regarding improvements, i now have about 10 hours of listening with the current layout and i can say that i have definite improvements - most noticeable around image and separation of instruments - there is a very clear and defined 3d soundstage, with instruments and musicians well placed on the stage - that also translates to more defined frequencies, as individual instruments are allowed more "space" in the music.
And i have to say - as mentioned before - it looks SOO good;-) - i found myself going into my home office (were the system is placed) quite a few times during the weekend just to look at the damned thing!!!
in regards to value for money it would rank it as a black box upgrade (at least), but of course it depends on a lot of variables (system, previous rack etc) but i dont regret the purchase one moment - actually the Fraim is right now the only element in my system bought new - all else is preloved...

just ordered my Fraim today - hopefully end of March for install - my dealer said the same "as a black box upgrade"

hope so, it will certainly benfit the whole system at least - LP12 NDX et all