Pundit
Post by simonb on Apr 17, 2019 7:41:12 GMT 12
Yes, a bit of a double whammy! Not sure when / if Michael will actually publish a review as he has had an arm for many years but happy that he not infrequently enthuses about it. It was great Art described it as having exceptional value for the dollar and saying it was one of the cheapest ways of getting Class A sound. Unfortunately he didn't watch the 5minute installation video and struggled with putting the screws in the cartridge.
Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges
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Post by Owen Y on Apr 17, 2019 12:04:02 GMT 12
Nice analogue-centric coverage by Fremer. Astonishing the apparent buying power of the American audio/high-end consumer - perhaps 2x at least what we might consider palatable here.
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Post by Owen Y on Apr 17, 2019 13:31:09 GMT 12
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Post by colinf on Apr 17, 2019 18:23:20 GMT 12
Are you off to the Munich show in May, Simon?
AMR-iFi R&D
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Pundit
Post by simonb on Apr 17, 2019 18:50:40 GMT 12
Hi Colin, Thanks for asking, I have been meaning to do a big reveal here but the last few weeks have been occupied with some family stuff. Anyway, the answer is yes, I was honoured to be asked to join VTL amplifiers (USA), Gershman Speakers (Canada)and Nordost in a demonstration cabin in Halle 1 A14. So will have a Wand 14-4 turntable with 12in Master with Lyra Etna. Also a 10.3in Plus arm mounted on my new 'stand alone' pod (see Michael Fremer video above), haven't decided on a cartridge yet but may be Denon 103 or Hana ML. My German distributor will also have another Wand 14-4 turntable on static display in Halle 3 stand J11. I am threatening to take an interesting new NZ LP that is definitely not Jazz lite fodder that you get at Shows, any guesses what it may be.....
Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges
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Post by cooksferry on Apr 17, 2019 21:55:40 GMT 12
What material is the stand alone pod made from Simon ? You doing a range of heights or just to match your TT ?
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Pundit
Post by simonb on Apr 17, 2019 22:06:54 GMT 12
Spheroidal Cast Iron (Vibration damping / non-magnetic grade).~80mm diameter. Spindle can add another 40mm height, beyond that, they can be bolted together to make a taller one. Just getting them powdercoated now.
Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges
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Post by michaelw on Apr 17, 2019 22:49:09 GMT 12
screencap from the fremer video  
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Post by cooksferry on Apr 18, 2019 7:21:43 GMT 12
Spheroidal Cast Iron (Vibration damping / non-magnetic grade).~80mm diameter. Spindle can add another 40mm height, beyond that, they can be bolted together to make a taller one. Just getting them powdercoated now. Good to see that all that advice you offered me has borne more fruit  Will you be making them in different heights? Through bolts to hold them together? It's a great idea Simon and with the ease of mounting and setting up the Wand it's got to have a lot of appeal to those looking for a way to add a 2nd arm. Just noticed, the pod mounted arm in the pic above has curved piece with a couple of arms sticking out. Is this part of a redesign and have I missed something again.
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Pundit
Post by simonb on Apr 18, 2019 7:33:19 GMT 12
Thanks for encouraging me with it. The curved trough is because that is the Master spec arm that includes a damping trough (or vibration shunt as I prefer to call it) Cheers
Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges
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Post by Owen Y on Apr 18, 2019 9:40:29 GMT 12
Fluid (or other) damping has the effect of increasing Effective Mass (lateral usually), ie the stylus thinks it's on a heavier tonearm.
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Post by michaelw on Apr 18, 2019 10:36:31 GMT 12
in past experience with fluid damped arms (sme, sumiko, well tempered), a little damping goes along way best sound was achieved with minimal damping.
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Post by foveaux on Apr 18, 2019 11:18:59 GMT 12
I am threatening to take an interesting new NZ LP that is definitely not Jazz lite fodder that you get at Shows, any guesses what it may be..... Hello Simon, My guess is:  I'm likely wrong, but... take it anyway...  And it's just fantastic Simon, to see your Wand products being showcased internationally and getting (growing) well-deserved recognition...  Go well and we look forward to the reviews etc and your feedback in due course.
"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]
"Free - I miss that band, but when I look back, we were very young" [Paul Rodgers]
862 posts
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Pundit
Post by papahemi on Apr 18, 2019 16:58:28 GMT 12
I am threatening to take an interesting new NZ LP that is definitely not Jazz lite fodder that you get at Shows, any guesses what it may be..... I'll have a go, either Avantdale Bowling Club - not lite jazz fodder, but Jazzy. Or.. Zealandia - Dudley Benson
We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.
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Post by cartridgeguyonline on Apr 18, 2019 17:13:40 GMT 12
Or since you are from Dunedin how about a copy of the Cleans Boodle Boodle Boodle EP ?
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Pundit
Post by simonb on Apr 19, 2019 7:39:52 GMT 12
Ah, hadn't thought about Avantdale Bowling Club. I've only listened to it on a plane (technophobes Spotify). Any clues what it is like as an LP? I've seen good reviews of Zelandia but haven't heard it yet. False clue about the LP I m contemplating is that it is much featured on the RNZ National programme......
Reply to damper comments above; It is very user preference and system dependant. My French Distributors are big fans of using it as it adds more detil but in my system, while it adds detail, it reduces the boppy-ness (technical word there) so a trade-off as Michael hints.
Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges
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Pundit
Post by papahemi on Apr 19, 2019 11:30:39 GMT 12
Avantdale is a very good slab of vinyl IME, both sonically and performance. Zelandia even better - but not everyone's cup of tea
We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.
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Post by Citroen on Apr 19, 2019 15:03:29 GMT 12
What papa said re: Avantdale. Nice slab of vinyl, good sonics, very good music.
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Post by Owen Y on May 1, 2019 17:47:11 GMT 12
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Pundit
Post by simonb on May 1, 2019 18:33:16 GMT 12
Thanks Owen,
I was wondering when it was going to appear on line. Good timing for Munich next week!
A good review if slightly frustrating that he has made a 'story' of putting the screws in.
When watching the video; would have it rapidly sorted. Personally I reckon it is irresponsible of makers of expensive cartridges not to provide stylus guards. This is the age of 3D printing after all. So I understand the nervousness of mounting a naked cartridge. Anyway, great he is nominating it for Class A.
Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges
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Post by Owen Y on May 1, 2019 20:38:00 GMT 12
Personally I reckon it is irresponsible of makers of expensive cartridges not to provide stylus guards. This is the age of 3D printing after all. So I understand the nervousness of mounting a naked cartridge. Yes, especially if using a cartridge like Art Dudley's... 
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Post by michaelw on May 1, 2019 21:19:15 GMT 12
banish unthreaded cartridge bodies too !
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Post by foveaux on May 2, 2019 11:06:18 GMT 12
Congratulations Simon...Class A assessment. Excellent validation (p.s. despite his cartridge set-up challenges - he did go on a bit... what michaelw says re: unthreaded cartridges!)
"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]
"Free - I miss that band, but when I look back, we were very young" [Paul Rodgers]
862 posts
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Post by colinf on May 12, 2019 5:49:18 GMT 12
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Pundit
Post by simonb on May 12, 2019 7:45:33 GMT 12
Thanks Colin, Meant to post some stuff here but it has been really flat out.. Just for recap, I'm doing a room share with VTL amplifiers (USA), Nordost cables and Gershman Speakers (Canada) . We have a 'sound cabin' 3m x 8m?? Which is a acoustic panel box that sits in the main display halls of Munich high end. Not easy to get right but I am really impressed by the Gershman Grand Avant Garde speakers we are using (NZ Distribution anyone?) I must admit being a tad nervous installing the Lyra Etna, really wouldn't want to bend someone else's expensive cartridge but it does sound great on The Wand turntable with 12in Master arm. Can't see me doing any from of Show Report as I haven't seen any of the Show apart from the immediate area. Although I can report that Martin Bell, JAVA and Mark Jenkins, Antipodes Audio are just round the corner next to the Currywurst stand and are flat out whenever I go to buy a snack. 
Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges
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Post by colinf on May 16, 2019 18:41:04 GMT 12
I remember seeing Gershman Acoustics speakers from Canada at the CES in Las Vegas years ago and was impressed with them. Then they were using an Audax carbon fibre 5 inch woofer for midrange and I was taken with the style and cohesiveness of them. Perhaps the new ones should be brought into NZ...:-)
AMR-iFi R&D
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Pundit
Post by simonb on May 16, 2019 20:36:37 GMT 12
Think the Grand Avant Garde models still have an Audax carbon fibre midrange. Tweeter is an silk dome but don't remember the maker. Woofer is US made custom aluminium coned job but the interesting bit is the bass loading. Hyrbid sealed-ported system where the main (Red) cabinet has ports in the bottom but these vent into another box (which looks like a base) which is sealed. Played some pretty impressive organ music.
Meant to get round to revealing before the Show that my "not-Diana Krall" NZ LP that I was threatening to take was..... ..... Alien Weaponry; Tu After hearing some German Electronica played by Thomas Schick on the Sibatone-Western Electric horns on Sunday morning before the Show opened for the day made me think Alien Weaponry was quite mild....
Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges
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Pundit
Post by papahemi on May 17, 2019 16:56:20 GMT 12
Meant to get round to revealing before the Show that my "not-Diana Krall" NZ LP that I was threatening to take was..... ..... Alien Weaponry; Tu After hearing some German Electronica played by Thomas Schick on the Sibatone-Western Electric horns on Sunday morning before the Show opened for the day made me think Alien Weaponry was quite mild.... Oh yes - left field alright, heavy metal and te reo Maori - did it go down well?
We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.
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Pundit
Post by simonb on May 17, 2019 18:01:51 GMT 12
Yes, I enjoyed telling the "Te Reo Maori -Thrash Metal" story, embellished by descriptive images of purple explosions on Miles Davis and laser strikes on Diana Krall. But was a bit whimpy about playing it more than a couple of times. Although it opens with some cool Maori instruments, then you are hit with Haka and finally the blast of Metal.....
Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges
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Post by cooksferry on May 19, 2019 16:38:46 GMT 12
Simon, I watched Fremers video of his press day walkabout at Munich and one thing that struck me is the amount of noise, especially in the early part on the ground floor. Is it really that bad? If it is then not a very comfortable enviroment.
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