A visit to Halfway Tree

[Qwin]

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.



http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_01.jpg
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/



http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_02.jpg
A closer look shows five drivers in total, including two 10" bass units mounted in an unconventional fashion.



http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_03.jpg
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.



http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_04.jpg
The bass drivers have huge magnets and the unusual mounting is designed to cancel out unwanted vibrations.



http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_05.jpg
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.



http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_06.jpg
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.



http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_07.jpg
This is what controls all of those channels, mini DSP and, count those Benchmark DAC's amongst others.



http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_08.jpg
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. :)

[Firebottle]

'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 :thumbsup:

:cheers:

[Ali Tait]

Nice looking system!

[Macca]

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.

[Qwin]

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/

[Macca]

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.

[Sovereign]

Very Very interesting indeed!
I am slowly going towards the active route, so lets see whats happens.

[Ali Tait]

It's the way to go IMHO.

[Audio Al]

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 ;)

[Qwin]

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.

[Qwin]

Al - Its Gordons system and he may be along in a while to comment.

The Nakamichi has no gain controls, just XLR and RCA input for each channel and Binding posts/Bananna for speakers.

Gordon does the level matching using the DSP software, its amazing, he showed me some of the settings and slopes you can select and turned drivers on and off as we were listening to get a feel for what each one was contributing, sexy stuff.

He has the chair in an equalateral triangle with the speakers, but I prefered the sound a couple of feet back.

I'm building level controls into my analogue unit which will sit between ASP output and power amp.

[Floyddroid]

Exellent reading. and yes, great to see you in the picture despite the shirt.
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.



http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_01.jpg
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/



http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_02.jpg
A closer look shows five drivers in total, including two 10" bass units mounted in an unconventional fashion.



http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_03.jpg
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.



http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_04.jpg
The bass drivers have huge magnets and the unusual mounting is designed to cancel out unwanted vibrations.



http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_05.jpg
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.



http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_06.jpg
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.



http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_07.jpg
This is what controls all of those channels, mini DSP and, count those Benchmark DAC's amongst others.



http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_08.jpg
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. :)

[Halfway Tree]

Wow!, just seen your write up, Ken. Thanks for the kind words and really glad you enjoyed the day. It was a pleasure to have you over....and your shirt is just fine! :D

The fully active LX521's are in "beta" at the moment as the new DSP files are still being evaluated by SL, although I don't think they are likely to change much. The Dacmagic has been pressed into action to drive the bass channels until I can get another Benchmark DAC1.

As for the Nakamichi's - I bought one and was impressed enough to buy a second - if they look familiar it's because they are built by the same company that builds Emotiva - they are similar to, but not identical to the Emotiva UPA-7.

Ken, it was my pleasure to share the music and I'll pass your compliments on to Marie and her Mom - there's nothing like a tortilla made by a Spanish lady who's been making them since she was a teenager! :)

Gordon

[Halfway Tree]

Gordon does the level matching using the DSP software, its amazing, he showed me some of the settings and slopes you can select and turned drivers on and off as we were listening to get a feel for what each one was contributing, sexy stuff.

Al- no, there are no level controls on the Nakamichi.

I actually do the channel matching in the Benchmark Dacs (although it can be done in the DSP also) which is one of the reasons I have the Benchmarks. They have so much flexibility as I can set the level for each channel using the Dac's volume control, measure the output voltage using a 0dbfs signal and then set that voltage level on the dacs output trimmers with the volume control bypassed. The XLR outputs also have a separate set of output level pads at 0db -10,-20 and-30 which can be used in conjunction with the variable trimmers. Doing this enables me to keep the digital volume control in JRiver as high as possible but without causing clipping in the DSP.

Hope this helps.

Gordon

[Qwin]

Ah, I'd forgoten you did the level matching on the Benchmarks - makes sense now.

[RichB]

Great thread and pics... nice to see you both in them too. That shirt is festival quality too Ken:)

Gordon's system looks very impressive and those speakers are a work of art. What happened to the big Maggies though? Did you move them on?

Also excellent taste in music, I've bought a few things from chatting with him at Nebo and hearing some of his choices.

Surprised at you suggesting changing your power amp though Ken, having heard it I really enjoyed it and thought that might have been a keeper.

Hopefully I'm not far off getting properly sorted on my system and you'd both be welcome round.

[Qwin]

Give us a shout when you're sorted Rich, would love to come up and have a listen.

I agree, the Proton is very good and I can't see me parting with it.

For an active (multi channel) set up, three stereo amps would just be too many boxes, so I'm looking at a one box solution to use for that. I sold on the 6 channel Rotel, it was a bit MidFi and better suited to AV. I have drawn up an amp layout using 6 Hypex UcD modules and three of their SMPS's, but it aint cheap. For the cost of a case, one power supply, two amp modules plus a wiring harness, you could buy a Nakamichi and have change. I've no doubt the Hypex would be better but it would need around a Grands worth of parts to get six channels. The Nakamichi's are good, I never once even thought about them when listening to Gordons system, which speakes volumes, they just sat there and did what was needed. They pack a punch and can dig deep, they are fast, rich in the mids and have a sweet top end, I couldn't believe the price when Gordon told me, I expected at least a Grand possibly two in front of that price, based on size, weight, build quality and performance. The fact that I can go and pick one up from the distributer at Newton Aycliffe is a plus as well.

As you can probably tell, I was completely taken by these amps, but of coarse that was in Gordons set up, MMMV.

He also has a 7 channel Audiolab that he rates very highly, I didn't here that one though.

P.S. He still has the big Maggies which we listened to briefly on another system.

[Halfway Tree]

Hopefully I'm not far off getting properly sorted on my system and you'd both be welcome round.

Just let me know and I'd love to come round for a listen, Rich. I've always gone away from NEBO's with a list of new music to buy and it often ends up being some of my favourites.

I still have the big Maggies (take the stands off and they tuck nicely away in corner). What you heard the Hiromi DVD on Ken was the "small" Maggies - the ones I took to Owston. My teenagers are actually using these to listen to music streamed from their mobiles to a PS4 - big breakthrough - they are finally appreciating what speakers can do as opposed to their horrible earbuds! :D

Gordon

[Qwin]

Wow, if those are the small ones the others must be huge.

[Tarzan]

Blimey that Nakamichi amp looks great VFM.

Glad you had a nice time too!:cool:

[Marco]

Superb stuff, Ken - a textbook example of *exactly* how meets/bake-offs should be reported :thumbsup:

Text-only jobs are dullsville, in comparison.....

Only thing is, the loudness of your shirt has usurped any aspect of Gordon's (superb) system!! Hahahaha... Dear oh dear, daftee, what were you thinking of! Did you lose a bet, lol? One of your wife's pastel blouses would've been better :lol:

When I saw Gordon's system, and in particular the Linkwitzs, my gut feeling was that both would sound superb, so I'm glad that's proven to be the case. I rate the design and lateral thinking behind the Linkwitzs (they represent what high-end audio should be about), and could probably live with them myself.

Anyway, thanks for the write-up. Glad you guys had a good time. It certainly looks that way! :cool:

Marco.

[Qwin]

Yes, it was a great day Marco, that shirt came from the quiet end of my wardrobe. :D

I nearly didn't bother taking the camera, but after all the great comments, I'm glad I did, made the effort worthwhile.

[Marco]

Well, I'd certainly encourage the use of cameras (not necessarily to take pics of the ugly mugs of the daftees who own the equipment, lol), although that's always appreciated, but most importantly of the equipment itself, as well as the room it's used in.

That, along with some reasonably eloquent text, writing up the event, is what makes the whole thing valuable and of interest for members to read. Therefore, folks, please use this thread as a template for what we'd like to see as a subsequent write-up, when community meets/bake-offs take place on AoS! :cool:

Marco.

P.S Can't wait to see an even 'louder' shirt next time! :D

[Qwin]

http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Halfway%20Tree/HWT_09.jpg

Well I was so impressed with Gordon's Amps I pulled the trigger and got one for myself.

Just running two channels at a time to get some hours on each. If this thing was your average AV power amp it would be good value - but its far far more than that..............
On two channels it leaves my Rotel AV Amp, Cambridge A50 power Amp and a recapped Quad 306 in its wake. I wouldn't say it was better than either the Sugden A21a or Proton AA-1150, I think each of them has their own sound, so it depends what you are looking for, but its quality is at that level. There is a huge amount of detail coming from a very low noise floor, it handles edgy recordings without sounding smoothed over and when you turn the wick up it just gets louder, no sign of running out of steam or loosing its grip. I am chuffed to bits with it.

If anyone has a need for up to 7 channels I can recommend this Nakamichi AVP1.
At £399.99 it is a bargain, get em while you can as the price will go up when current stock has gone, The price on Amazon is more like the true one. The Nakamichi (uk) depot is a building site at present, but I got shown round when I picked the Amp up. There is a clean room with negative charged floor under construction and Ian, the boss, has lots of ideas for future projects, including possibly a bespoke service or an 11 channel Amp weighing fifty odd kilos. So Nakamichi are definitely back and with some cracking products.
(I have no connection to the company).

:)

[Anthony K]

Lovely looking speakers , and the Naks look good and sound like a bargain
Damn fine shirt if ever there was one also

[petrat]

Well, I've ordered one of the AV amps. Shipment will be delayed until Friday, apparently ... something to do with building a warehouse :rolleyes:

It's not just that, with imminent semi-retirement looming, I plan to play around with DSP crossovers and multi-way DIY speakers ... it's that years' ago I briefly owned a Nakamichi integrated (IA-4S?), which cost about £200 and was/is the singularly most transparent amp I ever heard, or didn't hear, to be more accurate. Tonally, it was a bit thin, but detail retrieval was absolutely unreal, even better than any SET amp IME. I sold it due to financial impoverishment, and have never seen one come up secondhand since. So, Ken's description (above) got me intrigued. Can't wait. :thumbsup:

[petrat]

Now got one ... see post 121 and beyond, here ... http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?25422-PetRat-HiFi&p=657460#post657460