The thing with DIY racks. It’s always going to be a work in progress.
Unless you feel a 100% belief in your own design. There will be that nagging doubt in your listening whether it’s set up right.
Would it sound better with glass cup and balls?
Would a certain metal material interface correctly?
Using lemon wood instead of bubinga ?
Teak oil or varnish ?
All and everything will have some affect/effect.
If you don’t mind or indeed like that aspect, then it’s all good. If you like to just sit back, forget the hifi and enjoy the music - then you might be fraught with get uptightus.
2 Likes
Ian, thanks for checking in. For the most part, yes.
I think, like you, aesthetics are important and that sense of accomplishment when you complete a project is incalculable. By the way, the sound has to be there, if some think, it is only looks that I’m after. This is a process of learning something new, for me at least. So the opinions here are great.
The look and the cost of buying something like the Fraim, I just mentally can’t get my head around it. Aesthetically, I like my ‘64 Vespa that I restored, my red brick wall that I exposed, Varvatos clothes, my Naim equipment but the look and cost of the Fraim makes little sense to me. I know, the engineers spent countless hours on it but am I really going to hear some illuminating difference, not sure. Maybe it is everything some of the people here say it is but until I can borrow one and hear it for myself and compare it side by side, I am not convinced, yet.
Thanks
1 Like
HH what would be your two (2) favourite inexpensive alternatives that I should look at for my new system?
Thanks
Hi Woody, I know people who swear blind that cables can make no difference. My view is that anything that is solid and connected (however vaguely) will leave a sonic signature of some kind. I have speaker stands that are solid HiFi racks and wonderfully built and at the other end of the spectrum a Quadraspire rack.
Somewhere between the “Emperor’s New Clothes” and solid engineering the truth lies.
If it’s solid or decoupled the thing is
a) research it
b) build it
The rule is to allow 10-20% on cables and supports, certainly if I had the skills I would love to be able to attempt a rack that fits into my home, but there are an awful lot of people on this forum who have really looked into these things .
I’d definitely look at used: Isoblue, Hutter or Quadraspire SVT bamboo. That’s three, I know. And remember that you can get a four level Fraim for £1,000. In the context of your electronics it’s not really a lot of money considering the sonic benefits. If you live anywhere near me you are most welcome to come and have a listen.
1 Like
Well I compared my design with a Fraim and can confirm that I’m very satisfied, no nagging doubt, just enjoying the music 
5 Likes
Second hand? I looked at the Signals price list and thought it was around 3,500? Almost the same price as my SN2! They do seem to be way overpriced?
Yes, secondhand. That’s what I paid for mine.
1 Like
Thanks Hamburg, please forgive me, if Hamburg is not your handle. Couldn’t distinguish a name from your avatar. Anyhow, I did check your system out. Remarkably, similar to mine.
I had 4 tier Brains stack and a 3 tier Bronze stack.
Just scored on two FraimLite shelves!
Hence, nine Black/Black FraimLite!
CDX2 > 282 > HCDR > 3 x 250.2 >Briks
Corian shelf is beneath the CDX2, needed Naim’s specs on their Glass for the other non-compliant Black Boxes!
I will surely archive that info. Thanks!
PS. Next Stop, Active Briks!
Going our on a limb, but are you an Active Fan?
Just a thought, why not have a look on the System Pictures 
thread?
Lots of 
ideas there.
2 Likes
Never heard an active Naim system, so not sure which direction a future upgrade might be for me. Better source? Better Nac? Better Nap? Active with 250?
Well, you are in the right place, The Naim Forum!
HH has developed a post that is designed to post pictures of your system. Kind of like the bells and whistles of Hi-fi. Very Nice Pictures!
There is one gentleman than is a long-standing member of the form that has a Naim System that incorporates Naim’s Reference Pre-Amp, The S1!
Combined with that Pre-Amp is three of Naim’s Second Tier Amps, well they cost over 20K, the NAP 500. With Naim Speakers to boot!
Now you know what an Naim Active System is!
In fact, there are some Active threads going on this very moment!
The Gentlemen’s System above:
CD555/ND555 > S1 > Snaxo > 3 x 500 > Ovators
Over 200K, at the moment Naim’s top system, think of him as the president of the Active Club!
Your Ovator 600s can be Activated Also!
Compliment of Naim!
TTUL!
PS. HH and others will fill you in!
Welcome to the Naim Forum😁
If you are interested in Active Systems the following thread/post is loaded with information:
Recommendations for Active Speakers:
Naim’ s Speakers
Linn’s Speaker’s(my Briks)
Kudos Speakers
And a few more that I wasn’t aware of!
Check it out in your spare time!
Meanwhile enjoy the Video!
I wouldn’t want to take credit for this year’s System Pics, which was started by Richard, our esteemed moderator.
1 Like
Spot on. I always had that nagging doubt about my hifi racks style support, particularly as the kit upgraded. Fraim is an investment but you know the electronics have the best support available and one that was carefully designed to get the best out of them.
Wow. Lots of ideas to check out. Thanks
Thank you HH for the suggestions.
Love to drop over and check it out but unfortunately New York is not in your neighbourhood. When I move home, I might take you up in that. Thank you
Ah, I see why it might be tricky!
I have spent too much time on that thread having a drool 
Ian
If you have doubts about whether you can hear the change in a support, see if your dealer can lend you a set of Quadraspire QPlus supports. Try them under any item of equipment and trust your ears.
There is a hell of a lot of research put into their stands, supports etc, they don’t spend capital on the tooling to machine bamboo, just because it looks good.