Is there a way to make an audiophile rack invisible?

Not really unless you get a furniture maker to build you something. If it really bugs you that much it might be time to look at an all in one solution.

Having owned Fraim myself, I cannot think of an alternative for Naim gear that does not give up functionality and flexibility I have come to rely on.  

There is an argument to be made for gear that supports panel-mounting that was popular in the 60’s and 70’s.  The down side is it locks you in for the long term.  (Google “Barzilay stereo” for some interesting nostalgia.)

I will be re-siting my three Fraims this year, and plan to install dignified curtains in front and behind the racks in a large alcove.  We will have to see if the idea holds up in reality.

Following your situation with interest.

Nick

I had a similar situation when we moved to our current home. My solution was to hide both racks inside a custom built cabinet. More details here:

https://forums.naimaudio.com/t...58#76892143099327158

Bob the Builder posted:

Not really unless you get a furniture maker to build you something. If it really bugs you that much it might be time to look at an all in one solution.

Originally, before my last move, I had an all-in-one system in a cabinet integrated in the wall. Now I am addicted to the SQ of separates. But let‘s face it, audiophile systems are built for men of advanced years and so are addressing the tastes that went out of fashion decades ago. That does bug me because, although male and getting older, I want my living space to meet today‘s needs and ugly old stereo systems are not easy to reconcile with that.

That said, there‘s nothing like a dedicated music room with just a Fraim filled with Naim stuff and a couple of nice speakers like Piega which really do look good. I just don‘t have an extra room.

William

Corry posted:

I had a similar situation when we moved to our current home. My solution was to hide both racks inside a custom built cabinet. More details here:

https://forums.naimaudio.com/t...58#76892143099327158

Aha, so I am not the only one! Thanks for the ideas!

I wouldn’t want to offend anyone but has Naim ever considered white boxes?

Or if they could just use exchangeable fronts on the separates, like on the Muso or Qb...

William posted:

I wouldn’t want to offend anyone but has Naim ever considered white boxes?

Or if they could just use exchangeable fronts on the separates, like on the Muso or Qb...

I bought white speakers once — they went yellow eventually.  Black is a better investment.

OTOH, all of my white-enameled doorways and trim are yellowing, too.  Maybe better to learn to love the patina.

Nick

We’ve never had a house large enough to accommodate a dedicated living room, so for the past 35 years we have had a Naim system sitting in the corner of various living rooms. Set up well, with attention to cabling and a stand in a decent colour, a system can be pretty discreet. 

I remember Norman from UHES telling me that some of his more well heeled customers had bespoke cabinets made that fitted around the Fraim, with a hole in the top so that only the source components were visible. 

If invisibility is the ultimate aim, and the Naim really does become unacceptable, something like a Linn KDSM and a pair of active speakers may be an option. 

once the hifi is on a reasonably styled rack with your choice of wood finish, who says it needs to go further?

I say this with tongue n cheek but a dash if seriousness. These WAF discussions get my goat a bit. What about your approval factor? it is your room too. Do you think it looks reasonably unoffensive? If so is it less that the other half objects to how it looks and more that it deviates from some image they have of the room in their head?

I'd try and convince them it looks good (if I thought it did). Remind them it is a hobby that is really important to you. And let them know you'd prefer to enjoy it in a way inclusive of the family but will retreat to a man cave instead if pushed.

feeling_zen posted:

once the hifi is on a reasonably styled rack with your choice of wood finish, who says it needs to go further?

I say this with tongue n cheek but a dash if seriousness. These WAF discussions get my goat a bit. What about your approval factor? it is your room too. Do you think it looks reasonably unoffensive? If so is it less that the other half objects to how it looks and more that it deviates from some image they have of the room in their head?

I'd try and convince them it looks good (if I thought it did). Remind them it is a hobby that is really important to you. And let them know you'd prefer to enjoy it in a way inclusive of the family but will retreat to a man cave instead if pushed.

As I said, on its own it is to me reasonably unoffensive but it is just so dominant that I can‘t see it blending in with some new light and airy furniture.

Fortunately I share the same tastes as the other half, it‘s not some competition we are having.

Corry posted:

I had a similar situation when we moved to our current home. My solution was to hide both racks inside a custom built cabinet. More details here:

https://forums.naimaudio.com/t...58#76892143099327158

Naim had a custom cabinet built into the back of the dem room at the factory. The lower cupboards each hold a Fraim stack inside and once the doors are closed you wouldn't know they were there.

hungryhalibut posted:

We’ve never had a house large enough to accommodate a dedicated living room, so for the past 35 years we have had a Naim system sitting in the corner of various living rooms. Set up well, with attention to cabling and a stand in a decent colour, a system can be pretty discreet. 

If invisibility is the ultimate aim, and the Naim really does become unacceptable, something like a Linn KDSM and a pair of active speakers may be an option. 

That‘s interesting HH, I had been toying with the idea of active speakers but didn‘t know if there were any good looking ones around. Now I see that Linn have some nice ones too and the KDSM is indeed a looker with a small footprint and very good reviews. Thank you for this idea, I think I feel a demo coming on...

William

Richard Dane posted:

Corry posted:

I had a similar situation when we moved to our current home. My solution was to hide both racks inside a custom built cabinet. More details here:

https://forums.naimaudio.com/t...58#76892143099327158

Naim had a custom cabinet built into the back of the dem room at the factory. The lower cupboards each hold a Fraim stack inside and once the doors are closed you wouldn't know they were there.

Interesting! No pics I suppose?

Unfortunately i don't have any pictures, and I'm not based at the factory so can't take any for you right now.  However, plenty of members on here have visited and someone may have a picture to show.  Otherwise I'll have a quick net search to see whether anything comes up.

Wow, that didn't take long.  Via the awesome power of the internet..!

Richard Dane posted:

Wow, that didn't take long.  Via the awesome power of the internet..!

Wow! My room may not provide the required space but nice to see the disappearing act can be done!

SL2s are pretty discreet speakers, as they don’t protrude. Isn’t something like this discreet enough?

Yes I like it: discreet and very nice and neat. But don‘t you have any stuff?

The room I am planning is about 6 x 6 m and will contain a kitchen, dining area and living area all in one open room. The challenge is to fit in more than the rack, speakers and a couple of chairs.

I see the challenge, and hadn’t realised your space was that constrained. Active ATC 19s in white could work, with reduced Naim or a Linn DS. I guess a Nova and small speakers would be too much of a drop? A Nova could just sit on a sideboard or cupboard. I used to have two racks and won’t go back there. That’s one of the negatives with Naim, beyond a certain level there are just too many boxes. 

The advantage of a streamer is that as long as it has a network connection, it can be located anywhere. If I had a suitable space, I would put the rack in a spare room, and just run speaker cable through to the listening room. This would also have the advantage of keeping humming PSUs out of earshot. (Did I read on here once that JV did this with his humming power amps?)

hungryhalibut posted:

I see the challenge, and hadn’t realised your space was that constrained. Active ATC 19s in white could work, with reduced Naim or a Linn DS. I guess a Nova and small speakers would be too much of a drop? A Nova could just sit on a sideboard or cupboard. I used to have two racks and won’t go back there. That’s one of the negatives with Naim, beyond a certain level there are just too many boxes. 

Food for thought.... a right old dilemma and I have to say it‘s about time I had a closer look at Linn.

ChrisSU posted:

The advantage of a streamer is that as long as it has a network connection, it can be located anywhere. If I had a suitable space, I would put the rack in a spare room, and just run speaker cable through to the listening room. This would also have the advantage of keeping humming PSUs out of earshot. (Did I read on here once that JV did this with his humming power amps?)

Well with the price of property in Munich I am lucky to have a place without a spare room. With this in mind, and the price of SL cables, it would be cheaper to buy a Klimax Exakt system than an additional room!

William posted:

ChrisSU posted:

The advantage of a streamer is that as long as it has a network connection, it can be located anywhere. If I had a suitable space, I would put the rack in a spare room, and just run speaker cable through to the listening room. This would also have the advantage of keeping humming PSUs out of earshot. (Did I read on here once that JV did this with his humming power amps?)

Well with the price of property in Munich I am lucky to have a place without a spare room. With this in mind, and the price of SL cables, it would be cheaper to buy a Klimax Exakt system than an additional room!

Yes, in a city apartment, I guess this is unlikely to work. I was thinking more of a house with a garage close to the listening room. Maybe active speakers and a one box source would be a better alternative.

So Linn demo then with a view to possibly moving the beloved SL2s to the bedroom and replacing all the black boxes with a Nova....

ChrisSU posted:

...
If I had a suitable space, I would put the rack in a spare room, and just run speaker cable through to the listening room. This would also have the advantage of keeping humming PSUs out of earshot. (Did I read on here once that JV did this with his humming power amps?)

Ah, so that's what the 3.5m minimum is for!