Naim Fraim Pain

I wouldnt re-order things until you get the new base. When you do you’ll take it ALL apart and re-build literally “from the bottom up!”

My system is arranged as follows. Im sure this isn’t “the best” but it is what it is:

Left (in top to bottom order):
Solstice Turntable
SuperLine | Solstice Motor PS
NAC 552
ND555
NAP500

Right:
Ansuz AC distro box
555PS
NAP500PS
SuperCapDR
552PS

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Preamp on top, streamer next usually works best.

The reverse for me

Suggestion: move the Core off Fraim and put the 500PS in its place. Then, sit the 500DR on top.

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Fair enough, and you should never take forum suggestions as if they were absolute truth.
My dealer suggested preamp on top when I first bought an NDX/282 from him some years ago, and I did find it marginally better, but either way sounded good to me.

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Naim wisdom is to separate brain and brawn to space the transformers away from sensitive electronics.

So, left hand stack (looking at it)
552 pre top
ND555 middle
500 power amp bottom.

Right hand stack
555PS top
552PS middle
500PS bottom

This helps with dressing the various Burndy cables and it what my dealer installed (albeit with a NAP300)

Good luck and mind your back😀

P.S. I use medium spacers for all levels to give more distance between equipment, and it aids cable dressing.

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Super helpful!

Some thoughts based on my experience with two Fraim stacks…

The issue I found was that the length of the DIN-XLR leads dictated that the 552PS needed to be close to the NAP500. Hence, I have the 552PS on the bottom right shelf adjacent to the NAP500, which is bottom left. This then means the Burndies for the 552 and 500 will cross. Some might frown at this, but it does have the advantage that they don’t touch the floor.

Since you’ll need to assemble the Fraim from bottom up, loading components as you go, don’t forget to insert the relevant cables as you go and destress the Burndies so that the pins and sockets align before insertion and moving up to the next layer.

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Stacking is hell.
I have reverse brain/brawn as it is not possible another way.
And I have 500dr under nd 555 - and 3x ps underneath.
All totally stable and as I understand Fraim glass can take the wheight.

Don’t be afraid if you need to put it further on top.
This can make cable dressing easier.
Some advices I had been given:

  • no ps under nd555
  • no ps (best nothing) under 552
  • 500ps and 552ps not directly above/beneath.
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I’m planning on re-stacking my Fraim now when my LP12 is here. My main source is still digital so that’s why I’ve placed digital components in the left even though the 500PS under the LP12 might be destructive for the LP12 performance. Any other proposals that might work better?

Doing this also means that some cables will touch the floor. I don’t see any solution to 500 burndy not touching floor even though I’m placing the boxes diagonal. But it is more or less impossible to follow all Naim suggestions simultaneously..

Fraim today

Fraim after re-build

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The ‘after’ picture is not dissimilar to my arrangement. This way at least, although they cross, the 552 and 500 Burndies shouldn’t touch the floor, nor should those from the CD555PSDR to the NDS - if they do, you could try putting the NDS up one level.

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Putting an extra shelf on the right hand side would balance out the look.

That would give you the gap to the PS, plus future proof for another bit of kit if needed.

DG…

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Will do when I find one :blush:

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Arranging everything in a good way is crucial to good sound. If possible:

  • All power supplies should be fully separated
  • Power amps with transformers should be with power supplies
  • CD players should be separate
  • Head units should be separate and to the left of power supplies
  • No interconnect, SNAICs should touch anything else or the floor (i.e they should float)

This is not always possible, but sometimes you can (I needed a lot of space). In my case an active system so even more cables (Geek mode on) (Stand geek mode - spot the gold Mana)

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Can you arrange it symmetrical with same height in both stacks and keep an empty shelf under 552?

If I buy more shelves yes. But this is the starting point with what I have now.

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What LP12 are you getting? Have I missed something on here. I didn’t know you were into vinyl. Excited for you!

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Your racks and system look superb @Devraj. Big fan of your system. You used to have it in a cupboard. Have you moved? Or just fancied a change?

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I’ve been into vinyl for many many years actually but ended it when 552/500/NDS entered the building. Have had LP12, Vertere DG1, Rega P8 and a bunch of other tables.

This table is pretty much a 1974 original with SME III arm (which was the most common arm back then before Linn made their own arms). I was told the rosewood plinth is pretty unusual and flat on the backside which is not common. It is more or less mint looking 50 years later :slight_smile: The Linn expert I bought it from thought it could be special order. It’s a 700GBP table so nothing fancy compared to tables on this forum. But I bought it with heart more than trying to go all in because I found it to be so beautiful.

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Looks lovely @Blackbird. Are you going to keep it original? Or start upgrading it? :rofl:

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