Hi fi rack

this is my opinion only

6 inch gap between shelves is on the lower side

I prefer atleast 3 to 4 inches + the height of the amplifier to be my shelf height

I have no comments to offer on the sonic qualities of the racks you mention.

regards

Fabio 1 posted:

Hi all,

I recently upgraded my system by purchasing my new 282 and ND5XS.On my short list there's a new rack for my system.Having spent a considerable sum of money so far,Fraim is not on my mind:I would need a six shelfs combo,a lot of money.What you guys think of Custom Design Milan Reference 10"Acoustic"?I am sure it will better than my DIY TNT rack,but what if compared to,say,an Fraim or an Reference Quadraspire?Esthetically I like this rack very much and I like its price too...

 

 

???? Fabio 1,...I do not know which country you live in, so this advice can be difficult to realize.

But,.... forgotten Quadraspire ect, ect...

◾ MANA-ACOUSTIC-Shelves,.... second hand.!

But,... you have to be incredibly careful with the installation.
Please note,.... incredibly accurate.!
Read the instruction manual carefully.
If you find a Mana-rack..... buy it.!

In our tests, in our music rooms, on our floors (wood and concrete),... in three different top Naim and Linn systems, the result was like this... regardless of which music system was in the shelves.

1. Mana Acoustics rack.
2. Naim Fraim rack.
3. Harmony Rack.
4. Quadraspire rack.

All the shelves were at the same time at the examination sessions, so it went "fast" ???? to change shelf.

Unfortunately,..Mana racks are not manufactured anymore, so you may try to find them on the second-hand market.

Peder????

The Fraim is much better than the Mana. Mana is a good 7/10 on Phase 4. Fraim is a clear 10/10. I have main system on Fraim and second system on Mana.

Mana always looked like scaffolding to me. No exactly room friendly. Quadraspire SVT gets my vote. Nice  to look at (ignore the inevitable comments about tea trollies), go for the bamboo shelf option and you’ll be delighted.

Well it has to be recognised that in most domestic circumstances the hifi is part of the surroundings and has to be planned as such.   And yes whatever it’s sonic qualities - not tested hear - Mana does look like scaffolding.     Fraim on the other hand looks superb to me but so far I’ve not been able to resource it so at the moment it is Quadraspire Q4 which is entirely fit for purpose.   

Regards,

Lindsay

Ravenswood10 posted:

???? Mana always looked like scaffolding to me. No exactly room friendly. 

???? Definitely agree with it.

But here had all separate music rooms,and then it is only the performance that is important.... not the look.
Incidentally,...I never compromise with performance in appearance.

This test described above was performed, where all details were 100% equal between the different tests.

All the racks were in exactly the same place on the floor.
Between each test, a new rack was lifted up and placed in exactly the same place on the floor as the previous.... and was installed optimally (it took time ????).

◾ Two systems were Linn, with everything at the Klimax level.
◾ One system was Naim, active DBL, NDS.. ect.

Mana was in this test on its own level, it was all agreed.
The Naim Fraim owner, who also owned the active Naim DBL system,acquired Mana shelves after this test, and sold his Naim Fraim.
Everyone is agreed, that his system plays on a whole new level with Mana shelves.

But,... important, the first three are top quality shelves, but Mana was on its own level.

/Peder ????

I use two Quadraspire SVT racks with bronze spike upgrades under both top shelves supporting an LP-12 & NDS - looks great in cherry and delivers musically. No plans to change them

Hi Fabio,

i do have the Milan from custom design and am very happy with it. Looks and style is of course personal taste, but for my equipme,t the Milan proofs to be stable, very well isolating and improving the SQ. 

Iver

I'd also give a vote for Quadraspire SVT, Fabio.  It's cheaper than Fraim, is narrow so easier to accommodate, doesn't need periodic rebuilding, and is very close to Fraim performance.

Mike 

I use an Atacama rack. There's quite a range and cost is quite reasonable. I really like mine ☺

If Fraim is out of the question, I’d go for the Quadraspire SVT as others have said. The previous generation had quite an anorexic look to it but the new one, apart from being very sturdy, is  quite stylish and would not look out of place in an Italian palace. 

Another vote for Quadraspire SVT went for the Bamboo with Bronze upgrade a major step up from the QVM it replaced and it looks good.

My last post here, must eat ????,... want the OP only to have the best performance.?
Or,is the look also an important part, so that he wants to compromise on performance.?

I have reported our,...this group's results, at a very carefully conducted test.

You who recommend other racks here,have you tested against other racks, so you know the difference to what you recommend.
Ask,...because I think this is important.

Please report what you had before, what you now recommend,... then it is easier to draw conclusions on what level the rack you are recommending is on.

For the avoidance of doubt,.. Quadraspire is good, but definitely does not reach up to Mana level.

/Peder ????

“Whose doubt?” Tell that to MDS and Hungryhallibut both proud owners  of SVT. 

BTW, got to get the builder round to do the outside of the house. Thanks for the reminder.

I am using an Atacama Evoque SE it really good for the price.

DIY approach is an option. I am using A TNT audio "flexy" design. While I haven't compared it to commercial products, it looks and sounds great. 

Dev B posted:

The Fraim is much better than the Mana. Mana is a good 7/10 on Phase 4. Fraim is a clear 10/10. I have main system on Fraim and second system on Mana.

Wow I was going to chant Mana also, but kudos to DevB, Phase 4, 7 and 9 for me where amazing, but I never tried Fraim and sold all my Mana.

Its amazing how audiophoolmafia make statements what is THE best MUST count for all, end of.

Perol posted:

Its amazing how audiophoolmafia make statements what is THE best MUST count for all, end of.

I agree ..... there is no doubt good support does make a difference .... but I defy any dealer to actually demo different racks meaningfully.

I favor stacking systems, like Fraim — they are less hassle than those with fixed or adjustable shelves, I find.

Nick

Using Custom Design Milan Reference 10 and very happy with the performance. It replaced an Isoblue shelf and found it is in some ways better than the Isoblue. Adding a set of Track Audio isolation cups/floor protectors improved things as well.

Another happy Custom Design Milan Reference user here. One of the very few stands which I find aesthetically pleasing. I like the look of Quadraspire but I'm afraid I could never have Fraim in my home. Whatever the sonic benefits of Fraim may or may not be, I have to look at the stand every time I listen to music or watch TV.

Possibly rather unrelated - but I am new to the forum, so a little slack would be appreciated!

Has anyone seen the CD FRAIM? I thought it was a thing of myth and legend?! 

What, this? It’s up for sale at this very moment, rather strangely.

Hence the post! I didn’t believe it’s existence... It would look rather nice along side my Fraims though... ????