NAIM FRAIM User manual

Fraim FraimLite
Ash/Natural anodised
Ash/Black anodised
Cherry/Natural anodised
Cherry/Black anodised
Black ash/Natural anodised
Black ash/Black anodised
The sound of a music system is inescapably tied up with its environment. Just as the performance of
loudspeakers is influenced by their interface with the structure of a listening room, so is the performance
of audio electronics. Microphony, the microscopic disturbance of highly sensitive electronics by mechanical
vibration, is responsible, and even with the numerous measures taken within Naim electronics to minimise
mechanical vibration, it still has influence. Minimising microphony, through engineered support and isolation,
as well as providing an elegant solution to equipment installation, are the dual roles of the updated,
reference-level Fraim and new, entry-level FraimLite equipment stands.
The engineering challenge of minimising microphony through an equipment support is complex. It demands that
a support has minimal physical contact with the external environment and yet provides multiple, immensely rigid,
decoupled and non-resonant support platforms. It is a challenge that can only be met through the twin pursuits of
single-minded engineering innovation and painstaking material selection. The original Naim Fraim was launched
in 2002, and since then, every Naim electronics product has used it for support during development. Naim equipment
supported on Fraim is thus living truly in the environment for which it evolved. The principles and performance
of Fraim and FraimLite can however bring benefits to any hi-fi system.
Fraim and FraimLite are not only about sound quality. Their manufacturing quality expresses exactly the same
values of engineering integrity as every Naim product and their sleek, modern design dovetails perfectly with the
Naim aesthetic to sit comfortably in any domestic listening environment.
The Fraim Range
PHYSICAL
Level Height
(inc glass shelf)
Standard level 175mm
Medium level 250mm
Talllevel 324mm
Base level 155mm
Available Height (per level) Standard level 105mm
Medium level 180mm
Talllevel 254mm
Shelf Dimensions
(glass shelf)
452 x 340mm (W x D)
Overall Dimensions 643 x 442mm (W x D)
Weight Standard level 7kg
Medium level 7.6kg
Talllevel 8.25kg
Base level 8.6kg
FINISH
Shelves Ash, Cherry, Black ash
Uprights Natural anodised, Black anodised
PHYSICAL
Level Height Standard level 150mm
Medium level 225mm
Talllevel 229mm
Base level 79mm
Available Height (per level) Standard level 131mm
Medium level 206mm
Talllevel 280mm
Shelf Dimensions
(wooden shelf)
452 x 340mm (W x D)
Overall Dimensions 643 x 442mm (W x D)
Weight Standard level 3.5kg
Medium level 4.1kg
Talllevel 4.75kg
Base level 2.8kg
FINISH
Shelves Ash, Cherry, Black ash
Uprights Natural anodised, Black anodised
Specifications
Finishes*
Fraim Equipment Support System
NAIM AUDIO LIMITED
Southampton Road • Salisbury • England • SP1 2LN Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
www.naimaudio.com
*Please note due to the nature of wood, actual finishes may vary slightly to those photographed.

Fraim Reference Equipment Support System
Naim’s development of the Fraim marked the rst time the full engineering resources of a high-end audio manufacturer
had been deployed in the design of an equipment stand. And the Fraim’s performance demonstrates perfectly that
Naim knows best how to support its own electronics. The Fraim brings more detail, pace and focus to music, working in
harmony with the Naim philosophy that makes the fundamentals of music – pitch, timing and dynamics – the priorities.
A Fraim module comprises two fundamental elements: the base level and multiple shelving levels. The base
level provides a stable and non-resonant three-point foundation that decouples the shelving levels above through
two sets of three minimal contact interfaces. Each shelving level then, as well as incorporating a primary set of
three cone and cup interfaces, incorporates a glass sub-shelf supported by a further set of three cup and ball
bearing interfaces. The Fraim principle is that successive minimal contact interfaces progressively decouple the
transmission of mechanical energy. This includes the micro-vibrations created when products are immersed in a
sound eld and those generated by all products while operating, including power supplies. At the same time the
interfaces provide a xed reference plane on which the internal isolation systems of each item of electronics can
perform optimally. Additionally, the shelf height options are congured to ensure that magnetic eld interaction
between electronic products is minimised.
Fraim material selection is as signicant as the arrangement of its components. Super hard stainless steel,
toughened glass selected following intensive listening tests, large section anodised aluminium extrusion and
veneered wood composites all contribute to equipment support that both performs to perfection and perfectly
complements the Naim aesthetic.
FraimLite Entry-level Equipment Support System
FraimLite takes the core Fraim concepts and components and strips them back to the fundamentals to create
entry-level engineered support for less ambitious Naim systems or lower budgets. Stripping back to the
fundamentals however implies no lack of performance or aesthetic quality. The philosophy of the entire
Fraim concept is based on engineering integrity, and that philosophy is fully expressed in FraimLite.
Rather than two-stage base level isolation, FraimLite incorporates just a single set of three cone and cup minimal
contact interfaces. Each FraimLite shelving level then forgoes the Fraim’s glass sub-shelf to support equipment
directly on veneered composite panels.
A FraimLite module comprises a single element base level with multiple shelving levels above. The base level and
each shelving level incorporate a single set of cone and cup interfaces. As with the reference-level Fraim, FraimLite
support enables Naim electronics to perform by providing the ideal motionless environment. Even modest Naim
electronics will benet, with greater detail resolution, more accurate dynamics, and simply more music.
The Options
Fraim and FraimLite shelving level uprights are available in either black or natural anodised nish. Three different
lengths – standard, medium and tall – are available to accommodate the different heights of iand XS Series,
Uniti and Classic Series, and 500 Series Naim electronics.
With standard and medium length uprights, a single Fraim or FraimLite module can incorporate up to six
shelving levels. With tall length uprights, a single Fraim or FraimLite module can incorporate a maximum
of two levels. Different length shelving level uprights may be combined in single Fraim or FraimLite modules.
Floor protection chips are available for those situations where oor spikes are unsuitable, and for the Fraim,
an optional safety kit can provide enhanced glass shelf security and complete peace of mind.
Fraim and FraimLite shelving panels are available in ash, cherry and black ash real wood veneers. The panels are
manufactured in the same facility as the Ovator loudspeaker enclosures, so on matching veneers, consistency
of guring and tone is assured.
Ball Bearing
Supports Fraim glass sub-shelves.
Chrome-plated hardened steel.
Fraim only.
Floor Spike
Denes the Fraim to oor
interface. Custom-manufactured
in hardened stainless steel.
Cup
Minimal contact interface
component. Custom-manufactured
in hardened stainless steel.
Shelf Upright
Custom extruded in anodised
aluminium.
Socket
Constrains the glass sub-shelf
support ball. Custom-manufactured
in hardened stainless steel. Fraim only.
Pin
Constrains glass sub-shelf location.
Custom-manufactured in hardened
stainless steel. Fraim only.
Clamping Ring
Constrains and spaces
upright to shelf interface.
Custom-manufactured in
hardened stainless steel.
Shelf
19mm double veneered
composite board. Cut shape
informed by listening tests.
Nut
Secures Fraim and FraimLite
assembly. Zinc-plated steel.
Stud
Ties shelf elements together.
Zinc-plated steel.
Cone
Minimal contact interface
component. Custom-manufactured
in hardened stainless steel.
Glass
10mm toughened glass.
Specic supply source selected
from listening tests. Fraim only.
The Details
The Fraim and FraimLite range is unique in offering a modular system that can expand to accommodate
new components as a hi- system grows. The common components of Fraim and FraimLite mean that a
FraimLite system can be easily and gradually upgraded to Fraim status on a level-by-level basis and that levels
of either type can be combined in one system. A system consisting predominantly of FraimLite could then
incorporate reference-level Fraim shelving levels for critical source components.
Upgrade Path
Upgrade Path