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Thread: A visit to Halfway Tree

  1. #1
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Carlisle - UK

    Posts: 1,956
    I'm Ken.

    Default A visit to Halfway Tree

    26/05/15

    A visit to "Halfway Tree" (Gordon Watson)

    I've been working on the passive crossover circuit fitted to my Yamaha NS1000M speakers for a while now and pretty much been going round in circles. I'm not happy with the crossover point from mid to tweeter, in much the same way as I was less than happy with it in my Celestion 66's. I eventualy got things sorted on the Celestions using the passive network, though I had considered going active at one point due to a lack of progress. I have reached a similar point with the Yammies and a move to an active system looks likely. I knew Gordon was running an active set up and we had discussed some of the pro's and con's a couple of times in the past. He invited me over to his place to see it all in action, which was an ideal opportunity to learn more about what was involved and pick his brain on the subject.




    Gordon in his music room amid some of his gear, for those that don't recognise the unusual looking speakers, they are DIY construction of Siegfried Linkwitz's LX521 reference speakers which are of course active. See: http://www.linkwitzlab.com/




    A closer look shows five drivers in total, including two 10" bass units mounted in an unconventional fashion.




    A view of the rear shows the open baffle set up and the quality of the work that Gordon put into making these, the baffle board is solid Oak and exactly follows the profile that Linkwitz specifies.




    The bass drivers have huge magnets and the unusual mounting is designed to cancel out unwanted vibrations.




    So what does Gordon use to power these beauties? Cue "The Beast" 32Kg of Nakamichi AVP1 Power Amp, 110w/8ohm all 7 channels driven. This doesn't sound like any AV Amp I've heard before and competes with two channel gear of a very high order, at £399 it is probably the biggest bargain available in HiFi.




    Oh yes, I almost forgot, he needs two of them!
    The bass drivers each have their own dedicated channel of amplification so that's ten channels in total.




    This is what controls all of those channels, mini DSP and, count those Benchmark DAC's amongst others.




    I'm always missing from the pictures so it's about time I got on the other side of the lens.
    Crikey is that what that shirt looks like?

    Well that's the hardware described, so how does it all sound?

    In a word - FANTASTIC!

    Its one of the most open and realistic presentations I have heard, live recordings are so enjoyable it manages to capture the experience of being there.

    We listened to a variety of music including Neil Young, various Reggae tracks, Songs for Desert Refugees compilation, Marlia, Melody Gardot, Hiromi Uehara (Japanese Jazz Pianist), Nitin Sawhany, Rumer, London Grammer, Jeff Beck and that's only what I can remember. I must compliment Gordon on his taste in music, many of these artists were new to me and went straight on to my must have list.

    Those speakers, along with the set up that drives them, just handled every type of music that was thrown at them, timing of piano was spot on, hand claps were so sharp and real. Reggae bass was deep and taught. Female vocals were accurate and never sounded shrill and there was a warm full bodied mid range that just gave you a hug. All the channels come together in a seamless flow of music that has a rightness about it. There was definitely a 3D spatial effect going on, with individual instruments and voices contributing from different points around the room. I really forgot the speakers were their at times and was just immersed in the music.

    Without doubt one of the best systems I have heard, regardless of cost.

    I really should be saving for a new cartridge, but after hearing those Nakamichi Amps in an active set up, my priorities may have just changed, the fact that Nakamichi (UK) is only twenty minutes from my house may also sway my judgement.

    Last but not least, a big thank you to Gordon for a fantastic day listening to top notch sounds and to his good lady for a lovely Lunch.
    Last edited by Qwin; 27-05-2015 at 11:04.

  2. #2
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: The Black Country

    Posts: 6,089
    I'm Alan.

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    'Without doubt one of the best systems I have heard, regardless of cost.'

    Fantastic, from what I've read the Linkwitz's LX521 aren't stupid money either when you DIY them.

    The shirt's bright but that's good in my book

    I love Hendrix for so many reasons. He was so much more than just a blues guitarist - he played damn well any kind of guitar he wanted. In fact I'm not sure if he even played the guitar - he played music. - Stevie Ray Vaughan

  3. #3
    Join Date: Mar 2008

    Location: Galashiels

    Posts: 13,669
    I'm inthescottishmafia.

    Default

    Nice looking system!
    “Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel. I have always needed fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio”

    Hunter S Thompson

  4. #4
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,779
    I'm Martin.

    Default

    That does look like a fantastic system.

    Not so sure about the shirt, though...

    The Nakamichi amps have a RRP of £899 each but I notice Amazon doing them a bit cheaper.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  5. #5
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Carlisle - UK

    Posts: 1,956
    I'm Ken.

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    Firebottle - Yes the drivers aren't too expensive, the bass drivers cost the lions share.

    It's the multi channels of amplification and DAC's that add to the overall system cost.

    But with the Mini DSP 4x10, which Linkwitz fully endorses as a solution and those bargain price Nakamichi Power amps the overall cost is still not crazy money.

    Macca - You can buy the Amps direct from Nakamichi (UK) Which is Stylco (distributor) on the web for £399.99 each inclusive of VAT. http://stylco-electronics.myshopify.com/
    Last edited by Qwin; 27-05-2015 at 12:32.

  6. #6
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,779
    I'm Martin.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Qwin View Post
    Macca - You can buy the Amps direct from Nakamichi (UK) Which is Stylco on the web for £399.99 each inclusive of VAT. http://stylco-electronics.myshopify.com/
    So you can! And the matching 7 channel pre-amp is only £239. Cheers for the link, Ken.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  7. #7
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Maidstone

    Posts: 977
    I'm James.

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    Very Very interesting indeed!
    I am slowly going towards the active route, so lets see whats happens.
    Source: Heavily modified DDDAC using MacBook Pro.
    Amplification: Pre amp-Stereo Coffee pre amp on steroids.
    Power amp- Rather large Colin Wonfor Class A power Amp
    Speakers: Lampizator P17 Open Baffles
    Accessories: Klotz 500 DIY Interconnects & DIY speaker cable sounding better than anything commercial.
    All powered from a Mother Trucker BPS with a dedicated consumer unit with 10mm armoured radial back to the house tails after the meter.

  8. #8
    Join Date: Mar 2008

    Location: Galashiels

    Posts: 13,669
    I'm inthescottishmafia.

    Default

    It's the way to go IMHO.
    “Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel. I have always needed fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio”

    Hunter S Thompson

  9. #9
    Audio Al is offline Pishanto Specialist & Super-Daftee
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Dagenham Essex

    Posts: 11,215
    I'm Allen.

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    Hi

    Does the Nakamichi have the ability of separate volume controls for each 7 channels ?

    Amazing looking set up , I noticed your listening chair is quite close as well , is this the normal position ?

    PS the shirt is fine as long as you don't pass the front or read doors with it
    [

  10. #10
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Carlisle - UK

    Posts: 1,956
    I'm Ken.

    Default

    I'm working on a simple analogue active filter for the Yamaha NS1000 using the KMTech modules.

    The passive circuit is very simple with no notch filters, Zobel networks etc so a simple ASP circuit might work, without the need for any EQ etc.

    If that does not work out then I may end up with a Mini DSP unit, the 4x10 has two analogue inputs that would cater for my Turntable etc.

    I'lll post my build, which I have just started, in my Yamaha thread as its being developed for those speakers.

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