I tried to find where to buy these items and could only find 2 (UK) stores online.
Am I seeing it correct that one single ball cup holder costs 8,5 pound??? These things probably cost less than 10 cents to produce! That would mean 25 pounds just on these cup holders for one device. Has anyone found cheaper alternatives?
Also, could anyone measure the height of the cup + bell bearing’s height?
They are very good for that price and the ball bearings is only 1.6 Pounds each.
The ball bearing is reasonably priced. The cup holder is outrageously expensive for what it is.
Very few things are based on what they costs to produce …you also pay for development etc ,I think.
I fully understand that and accept the margins and prices when it comes to equipment and most accessories as there is a lot of research and engineering behind the development of that. However, this is basically just a nut with 3 contact points instead the usual ring. How much research and development costs can go in that… It’s not like it is decoupling vibrations like a product like the Stack Audio Auva’s. Each to our own, but I do think this is ridiculously priced even though I have spent several thousands on cables and other accessories.
If you look at the ball holder it is rather beautiful and there’s some cool machining - check out the triangular knife edge where the ball sits and also the knife bottom edge. It’s expensive as it’s unique to Naim and made and sold in very small quantities. If they were made and sold by the tens of millions then it likely be would be much easier to get closer to that notional 10 cents per item.
As I understand it the Naim Fraim remove the vibrations from the electronics, down to the spiked feets of the Fraim and into the floor.
Yeah a full Fraim definitely but just the cup holders, I don’t know. But it is certainly possible.
What is the height of the cup + ball bearing @Richard.Dane ?
At a guess, around 15-17mm?
FWIW, back when “ball nutters” were the rage as a cheap version of the Fraim ball holder, I tried some out on my Fraim under the glass supporting the CDS3 head unit. Unfortunately they were not as good as the Naim items as performance was definitely adversely impacted by their substitution. Much cheaper though…
You mentioned the ‘bottom edge’, Richard, I just wanted to check if the cups are ‘sided’?
[Please ignore my foolish question; see Skeptikal’s elucidation below]
Doh, of course they do! Too little ale this evening, clouded my memory! It must be time to give my two stacks a clean. Immortal apologies for supreme denseness.
Confirmed. I measured a spare, and the height of the cup with ball is 17.75mm.
When used on a Fraim, they are seated within a shallow recess. So the effective height on a Fraim is a few mm less.
Didn’t somebody else invent this shape?
Martin
Bought some myself not too long ago and can confirm this is one of those purchases that may hurt (a little) initially but, once installed, the assurance of quality, performance and peace of mind form a job well performed means everything else is soon forgotten……
Naim Fraim parts are always available from any local Naim dealer, as an “accessory item”, from the Naim parts catalogue. Even the glass shelf can be purchased as a “spares” item. Just ask your local dealer.
Following your latest endeavours - with custom cabinets and NC pieces - good luck with the latest leg of your audio journey. Keep posting updates.
Best wishes
R
Hi
So the picture is showing the cup upside down?
Michael
No that’s the way up with ball sitting the triangular hole so it’s only in contact at three points
