Just over an hour ago my new Bartók Appex has arrived.
However, I have a slight issue.
I read somewhere on a couple of posts, that the Bartók will fit on the top shelf of a Naim Fraim. (Can’t find the posts at the moment)
The width is fine, but the front of the Bartók overhangs the front edge of the Fraim by 3cm. It looks naff!
Also, all four feet of the Bartók overhang the glass by 2-3mm, front and back.
It can’t go back anymore otherwise the glass will slip off the ball bearings.
I’d be very grateful for some advice on what to do.
Thank you
Either the Bartok is too wide or the Naim Fraim too narrow . So one or the other needs replacing. I do not see an easy way our of this as your photo shows that Bartok will overhang whatever steps are taken to accommodate it.
It may be time to think of an alternative. There are many cheaper stands that really do not offer much from an acoustic point of view. There are very expensive stands that are superb but carry a commensurate price tag. I use and recommend Qudraspire SVT units which come in a range of sizes so that you can make up what you require. OK not as good as HRS but a fraction of the cost. I remain happy with my rather large one. Of of course there is the X-ref if you have the means.
Hi David
I have had my Rossini and Vivaldi components on Fraim for the past 5 years - and not even on the top shelf.
You will just have to get used to both the front and back feet remaining ever so slightly off the glass. No problem at all.
The only thing I had to do with Rossini and the Clock was to position both units slightly to the right in order for the rear Fraim leg not to obstruct several cable plugs. It’s tight but doable.
My advice - don’t upgrade to Vivaldi😆
Here is what I had to do with Fraim to accommodate it. The funny thing is I find the new orientation to look rather interesting
As a general point I would avoid glass. It supports all kinds of resonances and I have a tale of working with a designer returning my CD player several times due to its harsh top end. After several modifications like shielding the DAC chip the issue remained. Then by chance I removed the player from the glass support ( a Mana table so that defines the era) with immediate relief.
I have no idea why Naim chose glass beyond aesthetics but if it was acceptable with their units it provides no guarantee that it will be OK with anything else. A larger shelf may also affect stability.
A major problem with racks is that it is almost impossible to arrange comparisons.
Agreed which is why, as the final piece of the puzzle in my complete system overhaul, I am moving away from Fraim and its glass shelves.
On a side note, the dealer who supplied my new speakers, is a rather esteemed one in the States with 40 years of experience. He is well respected in the industry on this side of the pond. He said to me Naim used glass to brighten up the sound of their components. Take it for what it is worth
Just looking back at your reply from a couple of days ago, having the front and rear feet off the glass by 2-3mm is not a problem for me, but the front of the unit overhangs the front of the Fraim by 30mm (1.5 inches).
I am in the process of sourcing another piece of glass that is 30-40mm deeper than the 340mm Naim glass.
It’s not just a question of size. Glass is a very varied material , thickness and function are other factors. Different glass types will , amongst other considerations, ring at different frequencies.
You do not require Naim’s apparent requirement for some kind of bright sound with Bartok. So another material may provide preferable results and be easier to source.
However, as I have already mentioned, getting a good rack of the correct size may be the best answer.
Thanks Pete for your advice.
Getting a different rack is not an option, as I paid nearly £5,000 for it, only about 15 months ago.
Also, the other four components in the Fraim are Naim amplifier, power supplies and a preamp.
Having said all that, when I do the comparison without the preamp, and put the Bartók directly in to the power amp, then the result of that could be a completely different ball game!
I won’t do that of course, until the Bartók is burnt in.
Having gone through the same issues with a rossini and fraim rack.
I would get something other than glass for the bartok.
Glass isn’t the best to put under it for sound.
I would either get 3 isolation feet to place under the bartok, and keep the glass. This will let you push the bartok back on the glass.
Or as others have said, a deeper support, but not glass.
