Charlie1's System

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Charlie1
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by Charlie1 »

ThomasOK wrote: 2022-03-17 23:55 Since Charlie1 specifically mentioned a Linn-made pair, and I said I didn't believe Linn made an active version my comment stands.
Martin Dalgleish told me that he guessed Linn made "less than a handful" fo active Kan 1s but I don't know how to spot them.
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by Spannko »

If the modifications were done well, I’m not sure there’s a way to tell them apart from a factory made pair without opening them up and looking for signs of a removed passive crossover tbh charlie1. Unless, of course, it’s written on the box!
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by Charlie1 »

I've seen a rear photo with 4 sticky out terminals all in a line (not square pattern like kan 2s), all identical type, and wonder if that was a factory pair. The modified ones I've seen all had the second pair of terminals higher up in line with the tweeter and clearly different connectors too.

I'm not too fussed though. It's been suggested to me that active operation with Naim/Exposure electronics back in those days didn't really exploit the real advantages of active designs as the electronics were just a straight copy of the passive design. Also, it wouldn't fix inherent peaky B110 response issues and in some ways you may hear the faults more clearly, plus loads more wire, more transformer hub and heat, etc.
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by ThomasOK »

Charlie1 wrote: 2022-03-18 00:06
ThomasOK wrote: 2022-03-17 23:55 Since Charlie1 specifically mentioned a Linn-made pair, and I said I didn't believe Linn made an active version my comment stands.
Martin Dalgleish told me that he guessed Linn made "less than a handful" fo active Kan 1s but I don't know how to spot them.
Ah, interesting to know. So not quite as rare as hen's teeth.
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by tpetsch »

ThomasOK wrote: 2022-03-18 00:04
tpetsch wrote: 2022-03-17 21:11
Charlie1 wrote: 2022-03-17 20:21 Thanks tpetsch,

That's useful to know. The difficulty for me now is how to tell original Linn ones from dealer or owner converted ones, although perhaps it doesn't matter too much - what fo you think?

Thank also Spannko
A lot of good advice here on trying to get a good pair of Kans. We also re-glued the grills after a repair. There is the possibility of someone using a stock B110 driver rather than one modified as Linn did to consider as well. This will make a big musical and sonic difference.
Good point, on the factory Linn supplied KEF B110 Midrange/Bass drivers -and also on the Linn supplied KEF B139's on the Briks- Linn applied a black rubberized undercoating like paint to the baskets and part of the magnets and also what appears to be some kind of a clear varnish onto the B110 dist caps where in areas where it was applied thicker -or where it settles- appears whitish in color. These dampening materials were not applied with surgical accuracy and may appear to some as an aftermarket application, but these coatings will effect the overall sound character of the speaker as a whole as mentioned. Also, if I remember correctly, this rubberized coating was also applied sparingly to the back side of the B110 cone.
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by tokenbrit »

ThomasOK wrote: 2022-03-18 17:03
Charlie1 wrote: 2022-03-18 00:06
ThomasOK wrote: 2022-03-17 23:55 Since Charlie1 specifically mentioned a Linn-made pair, and I said I didn't believe Linn made an active version my comment stands.
Martin Dalgleish told me that he guessed Linn made "less than a handful" fo active Kan 1s but I don't know how to spot them.
Ah, interesting to know. So not quite as rare as hen's teeth.
'Handy' to know? ;) Maybe rarer depending on your hen... I'd definitely take modified Kan over mutant chicken tho' 🐔
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by Charlie1 »

Got an LK140 and Wakonda for a 3rd system - just over 600 quid for the pair. The 140 is from 2006 so hopefully not in need of a service for a while. Got another (2001 Wakonda) coming too but that's not arrived yet. I did get a decent pair of Kan 2s to partner them but of course Kan 1s sound better! :D...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/020ae2vxa4l72 ... 4.mp4?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8ft9vyvysxsd8 ... 5.mp4?dl=0
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by tokenbrit »

Charlie1 wrote: 2022-05-19 15:31 Got an LK140 and Wakonda for a 3rd system - just over 600 quid for the pair. The 140 is from 2006 so hopefully not in need of a service for a while. Got another (2001 Wakonda) coming too but that's not arrived yet. I did get a decent pair of Kan 2s to partner them but of course Kan 1s sound better! :D...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/020ae2vxa4l72 ... 4.mp4?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8ft9vyvysxsd8 ... 5.mp4?dl=0
Can you remind us what the 3rd system was before LK140/Wakonda? I know you've probably told us, but I lost track (not interest :) Sounds a bit mellow after your Naim amplification... ;)

PS I don't remember that crack - hope it's nothing serious :-o
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by Charlie1 »

tokenbrit wrote: 2022-05-19 18:02 PS I don't remember that crack - hope it's nothing serious :-o
I'm hoping it will see us out :D
The chimney is in that wall so perhaps the temp changes have caused it.

The 3rd system never got put together. I had the 42.5/110 in mind but wanted to give the old LKs a go. It's nice to have sometime more tuneful late at night - really helps the quiet sort of music I play then.
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by ThomasOK »

Sounds good.
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by tpetsch »

Sounding really good Charlie. I can get into that.
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by Charlie1 »

tokenbrit wrote: 2022-05-19 18:02 Sounds a bit mellow after your Naim amplification... ;)
This should be better. Modified the speaker terminals so that I can get the Kans closer to the rear wall. Didn't get the extra bass I was looking for but it is less peaky in the upper midrange and cleaner sounding which means it works ok with the Adikt deck which I prefer in many ways...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ocrmegrigvvm ... 4.mp4?dl=0

Couldn't find that Neil Diamond LP so here The Cult instead - very similar genre..
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gd9c4e5uni4u6 ... 9.mp4?dl=0
Last edited by Charlie1 on 2022-05-23 20:45, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by tokenbrit »

Charlie1 wrote: 2022-05-23 14:42 This should be better. Modified the speaker terminals so that I can get the Kans closer to the rear wall... it works ok with the Adikt deck...
Yes. Works better than ok with The Cult, and more to the other clip too....
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by Charlie1 »

Thanks TB and all for iistening!
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by ThomasOK »

Very enjoyable, especially the first track. The second one is a bit on the forward/sharp side but could be the recording as I am not familiar with it. It is nice having the full tracks when the system is good enough that you want to listen to it.
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by Charlie1 »

Thanks Tom!
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by Spannko »

There aren’t many systems which can play The Cult like that!

If only there were a pair of speakers with all of the Kans attributes plus a bit of extra bass to boot! From 100-200hz upwards, I’m not aware of any speaker which has the speed, pitch coherence and musicality of the Kan 1’s
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by lejonklou »

Charlie1 wrote: 2022-05-23 14:42
tokenbrit wrote: 2022-05-19 18:02 Sounds a bit mellow after your Naim amplification... ;)
This should be better. Modified the speaker terminals so that I can get the Kans closer to the rear wall. Didn't get the extra bass I was looking for but it is less peaky in the upper midrange and cleaner sounding which means it works ok with the Adikt deck which I prefer in many ways...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ocrmegrigvvm ... 4.mp4?dl=0

Couldn't find that Neil Diamond LP so here The Cult instead - very similar genre..
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gd9c4e5uni4u6 ... 9.mp4?dl=0
Whatever anyone may think of the "sound" of this system, I find it utterly musical. It's just got all the basics right. And that's not too common these days.
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by Charlie1 »

Spannko wrote: 2022-05-24 23:45 There aren’t many systems which can play The Cult like that!
Showing my age, but in the discos of my late school days, that song would clear the dance floor of all the girls and the boys would gather in the middle and all jump up and down like morons, myself included. The girls must have shook their heads in dismay.
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by Charlie1 »

lejonklou wrote: 2022-05-25 00:14 Whatever anyone may think of the "sound" of this system, I find it utterly musical. It's just got all the basics right. And that's not too common these days.
Thanks Fredrik!
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by Charlie1 »

Round in circles I go.

A couple of days ago I wanted to go back to the Nait and a simple 2-way pair of speakers. The office system with Isobariks was quite good but I seemed to recall better times. Anyway, the Nait and Tukans have reminded me of what has been lost in the quest to drive the Isobariks:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uj8lu2vagl57u ... 6.mp4?dl=0

Perhaps all those drive units and the massive crossovers rob some music. Plus the pre/power combos I settled on could never really drive them quite well enough. And the combos that could drive them (such as 32.5/HC/160 and 72/HC/250) were not musically what I wanted to be listening to.
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by Spannko »

I really like that charlie1! Those Tukans sound like Katans with added musicality!
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by Arjen »

Lovely to see and hear the Nait playin’ Charlie. Pretty sound. It’s only after the 5 series I am aware of Naim and I must say I loved the road of upgrading to Supernait 2. But to see and hear your Nait playing Joni is grand and cool.
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by Hermann »

Hello Charlie,

I'm following your experiments with great interest, although I'm withholding my opinion when evaluating the music.

I am a bit surprised by your comment about the briks, as I had been running them at 32.5/140 and 72/140 for a while when my then Naim 552 got an upgrade. Of course it was not a 552, but still very musical. The 140 had no trouble firing up the briks, assuming you don't want to co-enjoy the neighbors.

Regarding the Tukan, however, I think this speaker is very good and owned a few pairs, one of which is still playing with 32.5/140 at my daughter's house. And she does not want to change this combo. I think I hear a very harmonious interaction between these Naims and Tukan. Playing with the idea of buying a well-preserved pair again, since they are offered spot cheap in the second-hand market.
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Re: Charlie1's System

Post by Charlie1 »

Spannko wrote: 2022-08-17 23:11 I really like that charlie1! Those Tukans sound like Katans with added musicality!
That's encouraging - thanks Spannko
Arjen wrote: 2022-08-17 23:52 Lovely to see and hear the Nait playin’ Charlie. Pretty sound. It’s only after the 5 series I am aware of Naim and I must say I loved the road of upgrading to Supernait 2. But to see and hear your Nait playing Joni is grand and cool.
Glad you enjoyed hearing it Arjen. A friend has a Supernait and I always enjoy his system - I'm usually drunk by that point though :D
Hermann wrote: 2022-08-18 06:53 I am a bit surprised by your comment about the briks, as I had been running them at 32.5/140 and 72/140 for a while when my then Naim 552 got an upgrade. Of course it was not a 552, but still very musical. The 140 had no trouble firing up the briks, assuming you don't want to co-enjoy the neighbors.
Not trying to disturb the neighbours. Agree, the 140 can get them going well enough. I just feel that the 250 in particular really got a hold of them but I just never really enjoyed the 250 as much, especially as it needed a HICAP. Perhaps it's all the complexity I'm struggling with although at the same time I find Briks (and Kans) very coherent. I think it's taken a while to pick up on the fact that I'm not really enjoying music as much as I did with the Keilidhs (now sold) when they were driven by the Nait or 12/160. Obviously, the system sounds much better now in all sorts of ways but this is just background music so impressive sound is not essential.
Hermann wrote: 2022-08-18 06:53 Regarding the Tukan, however, I think this speaker is very good and owned a few pairs, one of which is still playing with 32.5/140 at my daughter's house. And she does not want to change this combo. I think I hear a very harmonious interaction between these Naims and Tukan. Playing with the idea of buying a well-preserved pair again, since they are offered spot cheap in the second-hand market.
Yeah, they are the biggest Linn speaker bargain I've come across so far. Think I paid £150 for a mint boxed pair a few years ago. Go for it! :)
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