Hello Folks,

We have a new fireplace going in this week and my plasma is going up on the wall above it. My equipment is moving off its low table and onto a new rack - yet to be bought.

I'm looking for something to match my n-Sat/Sub in Maple to support around 4 levels (n-Vi, 140, V box). A Fraim would be ideal but i could think of better things to spend 2k on. The Music line got the nod from the other half but i'm open to other suggestions...

TIA

James.

Oh go on! A maple Fraim is luverly....

This is a thread on a Norwegian forum. It shows about all the racks on the market today.
You may not understand the words, but there are a LOT of pics.

Link to thread: http://www.hifisentralen.no/forum/index.php/topic,10420.0.html

_________________________


Nero.

That's not a picture, that's art. Beautiful.

James,
About a year ago my wife and I were walking past the Sound Organisation in York, and she noticed, in the window a rack of maple Isoblues. I had already spent over my annual ration on hifi at the time so I did not dare to let my eyes wander too wistfully at the goods on display as we passed by. "They would look great on our maple floor! Why can't we have some of those?" she said. I could not believe my luck! Within five minutes they were ordered, and a meal out at her favourite restaurant followed.

I was not prepared for the staggering difference they made to my system. I already had a "hifi" stand of steel and glass. The sound became less harsh, more detailed particularly in the upper bass, and music became generally more engaging. I have heard it said that Isoblue can impart a warm sound, and limit attack. I have not found this. As an ex-valve fan, I find them great value for money.

I also found that Isoblues are slightly fussy about what they themselves stand on. Initially I placed them on coins directly on my suspended wooden floor.

Now they are on slate (a contentious substance I know) which is insulated from the floor by felt pads. I love the sound.

Hope this helps.

Don Phillips

Nero - nice indeed, but what happened to the 552 and active ATCs?

quote:

I'm looking for something to match my n-Sat/Sub in Maple to support around 4 levels

The cheapest option that comes to mind is an IKEA Corras.
(You'd need to buy 2, to get 2 shelves and therefor house 4 components, but even then...)
it would cost you the price of a few CD's, and it looks and sounds good, imho.

Here's an example in maple:

quote:

Originally posted by rupert bear:
Nero - nice indeed, but what happened to the 552 and active ATCs?

It's an old-ish picture in the times of active Briks, hence all the boxes.
The 552 is doing sterling service, and I've never bought so many CDs, which must be a good sign!
Christian - that's a great site, I've never seen such a variety of racks!
John

Two Corras

Hutter

2 Oppli from IKEA and 5 levels of Isoblue in light Oak:-

Quadraspire Q4. You can get these in maple with silver or black legs. Good value for money IMO

quote:

About a year ago my wife and I were walking past the Sound Organisation in York, and she noticed, in the window a rack of maple Isoblues

I don't think that Isoblue do maple. They certainly do natural ash, which is pretty light and blends well with maple nsats, which is what I use. The Isoblue is great VFM at £500 for four levels - less than the cost of a Fraim base - and works very well.

Nigel

Quadraspire Q4 in maple with silver posts, simple yet elegant

My first post ...

I have an old Target AER4 and would love to upgrade as PSUs need shelf-space ... one day there will be Isoblue ...

but in the meantime, where are you guys finding Carras and Oppli from IKEA ? I can't find anything similar in my local IKEA ...

quote:

in the meantime, where are you guys finding Carras and Oppli from IKEA ?

The Corras is designed as a bedside table.
The Oppli is no longer available. (at least, not here in Holland. Don't know about UK/US)

Here is my Eina-a-la-Munch.

Sorry for the upload issue above.

I will re-post when I have it fully stocked.


Shoot6x7,

This is the currently available bedside table from Ikea. It is now the "Eina".

Virtually identical to a "Corras", but the veneer is now decidedly not like a "wood grain". but I actually like the look of, and plan to paint it anyway.

Thanks for the 'Eina' tip ...

As Julian (rightly) says,

Hutter....

I am wondering if someone can shed some light on the amount of isolation presented by the Hutter and Quadraspire racks.

It seems as though the construction and materials of these racks are very similar to a Salamander archetype. Which is a "shitty" rack according to some in here, and only suitable for holding books or cds.

Perhaps they were overly harsh, but I dont see huge difference between the three.

Of course with a Fraim it is obvious to what extent isolation plays a factor.

But these hutter and quadraspire racks dont seem to do anything "special" there.

Thanks folks - some nice setups there.

Anyone got a Musicline rack ?

Cheers

James