In my listening area, I use an Archidee stand for my LP12, and a 5 tier Fraim for 52/250. The Fraim is loaded from top down with 52,"space",Super,250,Lingo2.
I have been experimenting with isolation under my speakers, and in the process, I ended up with some spare Herbie's Big Fat Dots (BFD). These things are supposed to block vibration transfer. I took the glass from the empty Fraim shelf and put a BFD in each corner, then placed the glass from under my 52 on top. I set the 52 on the glass/BFD sandwich and put on a record. Nothing had been powered down in the process.
What I heard/am hearing is a much "better" preamp. Wider bandwidth, better image focus, more dynamic, better separation between instruments, quieter background, smoother highs; just all around better. Groove factor and PRAT have also improved, and music is just more fun to listen to.
I have had this arrangement in place for close to 2 weeks, so now when I first put on a record, I am sometimes shocked at how much better it sounds and then it dawns on me that I have done the "glass thing".
This has shown me first hand the extent to which micro vibrations degrade the performance of sensitive audio gear. And it reinforces for me the importance of a good audio rack. The brains and brawn approach is ideal, but for those of us who have one Fraim stack, finding a way to further isolate the preamp from the vibration coming from the powered boxes pays big dividends. Even with Fraim!
Has anyone else done this kind of thing? I know so much of this is very subjective, and psychoacoustic effects also play a role in these things, that's why I would like to share my experience and encourage others to do so as well.
BBM
Posted on: 26 October 2018 by Japtimscarlet
Not done it but have spare glass etc so could try it under my 252
I take it these pucks you are using are some kind of sorbothane?
I have some of that also and may give it a try..
Posted on: 26 October 2018 by Monster
Do you notice any bedding in effect with the Herbies? I have Herbies gliders under some speakers and the sound was really sharp and biting for at least a week when first used, then the system was idle for a while and when powered up again had settled down nicely with not a hint of excessive brightness.
I haven't experienced anything like that in this application. I even avoided a power down with my 52 to try and get the best idea of the changes to the presentation and sound with the new arrangement.
The changes to the sound have not been subtle with this added layer of vibration damping in place. The Fraim is a great rack, but when using it in a single stack, the 52 certainly benefits from extra isolation.
BBM
Posted on: 26 October 2018 by Monster
Not done it but have spare glass etc so could try it under my 252
I take it these pucks you are using are some kind of sorbothane?
I have some of that also and may give it a try..
They are marketed as being made from a proprietary compound they call "db Neutralizer", whatever that is. It's a little bit denser than sorbothane I think.
Try it ... I don't think you'll be disappointed.
BBM
Posted on: 27 October 2018 by Blackmorec
The resonant frequency of a glass shelf is rather high. Rap one with a knuckle and you’ll see how it rings. Something like sorbothane or a Herbie’s BFD will damp the resonance and stop the shelf ringing, so should sound quite a bit better.
If I remember well, Mana used to stick bits of mastic tape onto their glass shelves to break up resonances. Does Naim do the same?
Use the same set-up under a powered unit with transformer and it may have a more negative effect as (at least theoretically ) it will effectively prevent the internal vibration from the transformer and regulators from draining to ground and will instead bounce around the isolated unit and shelf.
Posted on: 27 October 2018 by Monster
Do look into Sonority. Fantastic shelves that will transform your electronics. Pricey but cheap for what they do.
//Jonas
This thread isn't about spending more money on anything. It's about Fraim owners optimizing what they already have.
I'm sure the Sonority shelves are good, they're just not relevant in this particular case.
Posted on: 27 October 2018 by douglas
I have Stillpoints under my speakers, CD555 head unit, 552 preamp and Superline. A bit of an investment but not massive at this level.
If you put your source in another room and a hole in the wall for the "wires" it might make a better hi-fi system?
All about isolating parts of the system.
Posted on: 27 October 2018 by Monster
My old dealer had a row of Mana tables along a wall, with one component per table, which he said he preferred to a single stack Fraim. This was in his store, so he could maximize setup without upsetting domestic harmony.
BBM
Posted on: 28 October 2018 by easeback1
My Naim gear is stuck on a coffee table while I decide what rack to buy. As an interim step, I put a glass shelf plus Fraim cups & balls under the 272.
Result: a clear increase in detail, dynamics and general Naimness. But just a tad harsh / bright at the same time. Since I have extra glass and various sorbothane blobs lying around, I might fiddle with this sandwich idea. Thanks for the tip.
Posted on: 28 October 2018 by Dave J
Do look into Sonority. Fantastic shelves that will transform your electronics. Pricey but cheap for what they do.
//Jonas
This thread isn't about spending more money on anything. It's about Fraim owners optimizing what they already have.
I'm sure the Sonority shelves are good, they're just not relevant in this particular case.
Perhaps a little harsh...
Jonas’ comments are correct, if you want to get more (a lot more) from your Fraim, Sonority, shelves deliver. Took my 52 to a completely different league.
Posted on: 28 October 2018 by Monster
Do look into Sonority. Fantastic shelves that will transform your electronics. Pricey but cheap for what they do.
//Jonas
This thread isn't about spending more money on anything. It's about Fraim owners optimizing what they already have.
I'm sure the Sonority shelves are good, they're just not relevant in this particular case.
Perhaps a little harsh...
Jonas’ comments are correct, if you want to get more (a lot more) from your Fraim, Sonority, shelves deliver. Took my 52 to a completely different league.
Sorry Dave, I didn't intend to sound harsh. The point of this thread is to share ideas about inexpensive ways to get better performance from Fraim.
The Sonority shelves are interesting...
BBm
