Jan 24, 2020 18:40:03 GMT 12 Citroen said:

Local impression of the Wand tonearm

Well spotted!
Yes, James told me he would do a 'review' sometime, so great to see this.
He normally does LP reviews, also worthwhile looking at.

Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges

Hey Simon,
Another 14inch diameter platter!
(Pear TTs have an impressive lineage)



positive-feedback.com/industry-news/introducing-the-pear-audio-blue-odar-turntable/

 

"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]

Ahhh, Pear Audio. Run by a friend of mine, Peter Mezek, from Slovenia. He was at one time a Plinius distributor. He was a friend of and greatly influenced by Tom Fletcher.

____________
Pureaudio
www.pureaudio.co.nz/
www.facebook.com/pureaudio.co.nz/

Feb 10, 2020 10:44:00 GMT 12 garym said:

"... greatly influenced by Tom Fletcher."

Tom Fletcher = Nottingham Analogue TTs 

"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]

Yep, that's the one. 👍

____________
Pureaudio
www.pureaudio.co.nz/
www.facebook.com/pureaudio.co.nz/

Yes, my understanding is that the history of Nottingham Analogue and spinoffs (pun intended...) is quite complicated if nothing as nasty as the history of Linn/Fons/Ariston.
There are a few other modern big diameter platter turntables. EAT being one of the most visible.

Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges

Trans-Fi Salvation....

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

Another British TT with a Tom Fletcher connection:

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

Palmer is the other one isnt it ? IIRC they are all on the principle of the motor only being grunty enough to keep them going at the right speed and that you have to give them a helping hand to get started ? Tom Fletcher passed away recentlyish I think ?

Feb 11, 2020 15:50:10 GMT 12 cartridgeguyonline said:

Palmer is the other one isnt it ? IIRC they are all on the principle of the motor only being grunty enough to keep them going at the right speed and that you have to give them a helping hand to get started ? Tom Fletcher passed away recentlyish I think ?

About 2013 I think...

____________
Pureaudio
www.pureaudio.co.nz/
www.facebook.com/pureaudio.co.nz/

It's undeniable that these are good turntables but I personally feel 'weak motor' argument is a Marketing spin on the reality of what was originally made in the 1980s avoiding having to do any electronics. A motor that is capable of more torque but is only running at a fraction of that is not actually generating any more noise.
Having ended up with a turntable that runs at very close to exact speed, I have become convinced that that there is a rightness there for those people with good pitch sensibility. (The speed servo on the Wand 14-4 runs at sub audio frequencies, so doesn't try to 'fix' speed through control like most direct drives, instead relies on mechanical aspects for transient speed stability)

Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges

Feb 12, 2020 14:09:14 GMT 12 simonb said:

(The speed servo on the Wand 14-4 runs at sub audio frequencies, so doesn't try to 'fix' speed through control like most direct drives, instead relies on mechanical aspects for transient speed stability)

Hi simonb - can you explain / elaborate this a little more, about speed control on this TT?

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

Don't want to say toooo much more about this but unusually for a belt drive speed control is taken off the platter rather than the motor.
The control is partly as the issue with DC motors is long term drift as they heat up or age.

Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges

Feb 10, 2020 10:44:00 GMT 12 garym said:

Ahhh, Pear Audio. Run by a friend of mine, Peter Mezek, from Slovenia. He was at one time a Plinius distributor. He was a friend of and greatly influenced by Tom Fletcher.

Bit of a sidetrack, I came across this article from Michael Fremer in Stereophile from 2015:

www.stereophile.com/content/pear-audio-blue-kid-thomas-turntable-cornet-2-tonearm

"Mezek told me about the time his store was visited by Linn Product's founder, Ivor Tiefenbrun. From another room, someone played the Rational turntable. When Tiefenbrun was then led into that room and heard the sound, he just about had a cow. Mezek said that Tiefenbrun took a Rational back with him to Scotland, plopped it down on an engineer's desk, and asked, basically, why Linn couldn't do a turntable like this.

The NAD 5120 was actually a rebadged Tesla NC470, manufactured by Tesla Livotel, a Czech factory that produced everything from refrigerators to vacuum cleaners. The division of Tesla Livotel that made turntables eventually became Heinz Lichtenegger's Pro-Ject factory. Mezek knew Lichtenegger from their days in Vienna, way back when. Mezek told me why he was in Vienna, but I forget. A tequila-and-hair-tonic margarita mix can do that. More recently from the Pro-Ject factory comes the E-Flat turntable, also with a flat (but not flexible) tonearm, built for the European Audio Team (EAT), whose CEO, Jozefína Krahulcov†, is Lichtenegger's wife.

Mezek had a close relationship with the late Tom Fletcher, founder of Nottingham Audio and designer of the turntables that company produced during his lifetime. Mezek was also a longtime distributor of the Well Tempered turntable, but when the brand changed hands and Mezek found the supply of parts and manufacturer support waning, he dropped the line. Fletcher then stepped in to fill the distribution void by designing for Mezek a new turntable. The first Pear Audio Blue turntables were manufactured at Nottingham Audio's factory.

Fletcher and Mezek worked together for many years. Fletcher shared his design secrets and technology with Mezek, who shared his wide experience of handling and distributing thousands of turntables from multiple manufacturers, as well as tweaks for maximizing their performance. Before Fletcher died, he passed on to Mezek all of his design secrets. Mezek has kept alive Fletcher's ideas throughout Pear Audio's Blue turntable line, and has added some of his own. At RMAF, Pear Audio Analogue introduced their lowest-priced turntable, the Robin Hood. Every Pear Analogue Blue turntable is hand-built in Slovenia by Peter Mezek, and is subjected to extensive quality control before leaving the shop."


Some interesting 'linked" TT history involving some of the most influential designers and brands. 

I see that the 'Pear Audio Blue Kid Thomas' is on Stereophile's 2019 TT "A" recommended list, (whilst Linn is "B" and any Project is not recommended?!) 

"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]

Feb 16, 2020 10:19:17 GMT 12 foveaux said:

Feb 10, 2020 10:44:00 GMT 12 garym said:

Ahhh, Pear Audio. Run by a friend of mine, Peter Mezek, from Slovenia. He was at one time a Plinius distributor. He was a friend of and greatly influenced by Tom Fletcher.

Bit of a sidetrack, I came across this article from Michael Fremer in Stereophile from 2015:

www.stereophile.com/content/pear-audio-blue-kid-thomas-turntable-cornet-2-tonearm

"Mezek told me about the time his store was visited by Linn Product's founder, Ivor Tiefenbrun. From another room, someone played the Rational turntable. When Tiefenbrun was then led into that room and heard the sound, he just about had a cow. Mezek said that Tiefenbrun took a Rational back with him to Scotland, plopped it down on an engineer's desk, and asked, basically, why Linn couldn't do a turntable like this.

The NAD 5120 was actually a rebadged Tesla NC470, manufactured by Tesla Livotel, a Czech factory that produced everything from refrigerators to vacuum cleaners. The division of Tesla Livotel that made turntables eventually became Heinz Lichtenegger's Pro-Ject factory. Mezek knew Lichtenegger from their days in Vienna, way back when. Mezek told me why he was in Vienna, but I forget. A tequila-and-hair-tonic margarita mix can do that. More recently from the Pro-Ject factory comes the E-Flat turntable, also with a flat (but not flexible) tonearm, built for the European Audio Team (EAT), whose CEO, Jozefína Krahulcov†, is Lichtenegger's wife.

Mezek had a close relationship with the late Tom Fletcher, founder of Nottingham Audio and designer of the turntables that company produced during his lifetime. Mezek was also a longtime distributor of the Well Tempered turntable, but when the brand changed hands and Mezek found the supply of parts and manufacturer support waning, he dropped the line. Fletcher then stepped in to fill the distribution void by designing for Mezek a new turntable. The first Pear Audio Blue turntables were manufactured at Nottingham Audio's factory.

Fletcher and Mezek worked together for many years. Fletcher shared his design secrets and technology with Mezek, who shared his wide experience of handling and distributing thousands of turntables from multiple manufacturers, as well as tweaks for maximizing their performance. Before Fletcher died, he passed on to Mezek all of his design secrets. Mezek has kept alive Fletcher's ideas throughout Pear Audio's Blue turntable line, and has added some of his own. At RMAF, Pear Audio Analogue introduced their lowest-priced turntable, the Robin Hood. Every Pear Analogue Blue turntable is hand-built in Slovenia by Peter Mezek, and is subjected to extensive quality control before leaving the shop."


Some interesting 'linked" TT history involving some of the most influential designers and brands. 

I see that the 'Pear Audio Blue Kid Thomas' is on Stereophile's 2019 TT "A" recommended list, (whilst Linn is "B" and any Project is not recommended?!) 

Yeah that's his story. He was very active behind the iron curtain from the 80s on. Many connections in the audio industry. He was a Shahinian distributor as well, and there was a connection with Frank Denson... Hence the Well Tempered link. I think he may have distributed Dynavector stuff too. These days he's focused on his own products.

____________
Pureaudio
www.pureaudio.co.nz/
www.facebook.com/pureaudio.co.nz/

Probably worthy of it's own thread?

Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges

Feb 16, 2020 17:16:25 GMT 12 simonb said:

Probably worthy of it's own thread?

Nah, story is done now Simon. Back to the beauty of the Wand...

____________
Pureaudio
www.pureaudio.co.nz/
www.facebook.com/pureaudio.co.nz/

From the Otago Daily Times - Business Section 22 Apr 2020:

"Tables may be turned for home audio


Good vibrations ... Simon Brown stands with the Wand Tonearm and Turntable combination he has been fine-tuning in lockdown.

A Dunedin turntable maker should have been on his way back from showing off his device at a major US audio show last weekend.

Instead, Simon Brown has been stuck at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He has been using the silence of lockdown to fine-tune his record player with the help of a quiet city.

‘‘I had one thing that wasn’t quite so satisfactory about it ... the noise was much more loud than I wanted.

‘‘It was actually really hard to measure, but because the noise in the city now is lower it was easier to measure, to actually refine that.’’
The Dunedin product designer was set to be part of a demonstration room at AXPONA, the biggest hi-fi show in North America that was meant to be held in Chicago last weekend.

Mr Brown was also going to give a public talk there about vinyl and how design considerations affect it.

Instead, he would present webinars from his  home.

‘‘I am passionate about the issues of designing for the effects of sound vibration when what you are dealing with is very, very small, at the sub-microscopic level,’’ Mr Brown said.
In 2011, he launched ‘‘The Wand’’ unipivot tonearm and had since built a record player to go with it.

He said he was cognisant of the difficulty  industries such as tourism and hospitality faced due to the outbreak, but businesses like his — making items people could enjoy at home — could be set to benefit.

‘‘Those of us who make stay-at-home stuff ... may actually do well out of it.’’

Mr Brown sells ‘‘The Wand’’ via his website and through distributors around the world."

Clever headline     Excellent coverage Simon, hoping our local audio punters demonstrate 'buy local' 

"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]

Now Released; Wand EQ Phono Stage

Announced here first! if hardly a secret

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions of names, we chose "Wand EQ Phono" for the pun on Equalisation and "Emotional Quotient". Also works in non-English speaking countries.

The Wand EQ is closely related but not identical to the Pureaudio LV-1 phono stage. Gary gave us some alternatives to try and some of you helped us trial them. (The details of the differences are Garys IP, so don't ask)

My observation is that it is a really nice match to the subjectively low noise floor of the Wand turntable / arm combo.

It is available fitted inside The Wand 14-4 turntable, this is priced at $1400 which is the same as a LV-1 or as a stand alone unit, which is $1650


Data sheet here;

Intro video 40s; Here (Thanks James)
Photos below; (Thanks Himi)

Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges

Have had one just arrived for a client to have a listen to. Simon was round yesterday to install it and set it up. Would say again that Photos dont do it justice as it really does look magnificent in the flesh.

Listening impressions to follow.

Keen to have a listen to this. I should email you Simon.

Vice deputy sub assistant at Turned On Audio

audiosatori.wordpress.com

And become a retailer!

Sept 2, 2020 18:36:31 GMT 12 Neil said:

Keen to have a listen to this. I should email you Simon.

Great! Got some impressive overseas reviews in the offing.
Tho actually a little behind on orders currently.
Aim is to come to Auckland at Level 1 with turntable and Hana Umami and do some demos. (Miami is 5-6 weeks away)

Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges

Completed a swift visit to Dunedin yesterday and squeezed in 30mins listening to the 'top-of-the line' (kiwi) system available at the new Relics Audio showroom (92 St Andrews St).

A pic:  Simon's Wand TT, Wand Classic Arm with Hana EL MC cartridge > Perreaux 255i > Textone loudspeakers/stands:



I recommend prior contact to the showroom to arrange a longer private session and take your own album/s for any serious audition.  

"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]

The sound?
Engaging and enjoyable (without prejudice, caveat emptor etc )...however as noted, I had no time for critical listening, so take this reflection at face value only.
and disclaimer - I have a Wand TT/Arm/hana front end - It's the best!

i.m.h.o. for the outlay for this 'system' you'd need a 'decent' home trial, at a minimum.

Wand + Arm + Hana + $6,400  + Perreaux 255i $11,917 + Textone Speakers $6,900/Stands $1,200 =  $26,417  (without phono pre-amp)

Go Kiwis!  

"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]

Tweeters on the outside ? And I have that same sideboard unit in my garage (it came with the house). Nice to see an all NZ system though.

Part Time Audiophile - The BEST of the Buyers Guide 2021


"The Wand Master Series ($2,500-3,250 USD depending upon length)

The flagship Master Series of unipivot tonearms from New Zealand’s The Wand features an unusually thick carbon-fiber arm tube that is much more rigid than normal tubes, and enough accessories to mount it on many, many different ‘tables. (It comes in 9.5”, 10.3” and 12” lengths.) Competitive with much more expensive arms, The Wand will convince you that a properly designed tonearm can have a huge impact on the sound of your analog rig."

Brilliant result and congrats Simon  

"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]

Upcoming Wand / Hana Demos;
-Auckland, May 13th Rapallo 7pm
-Wellington, June 8th Wellington Audio Club (but all welcome)

I will talk a bit about what I see as important in vinyl playback and what is different about The Wand arm/ turntable.
I will have three 10in Wand arm wands fitted with Hana EL, ML and Umami Red cartridges
being played on Wand 14-4 turntable through Wand EQ Phono.

Would be good to meet some of you!

Simon Brown
Design Build Listen Ltd,
Makers of The Wand Analogue Products
Distributor of Hana Cartridges

Hi Guys

Yep no rsvp required anyone can turn up, 7pm start but all welcome beforehand, nibbles and beers will be available complementary

Be great to meet you guys in person and your all in for a treat the WAND TT and tonearm with Hana cartridge is something very very special


Cheers
Deano

Manager & Product specialist at Rapallo AV & HI-FI

What will you hook this up to deano1974?