I try not to shy away from reviewing anything analogue audio component and its accessories. After some wonderful exposures (thus positive reviews) to the HYPER ANOLOGUE Sonic X-4 MC phono cartridge and the MASSIF AUDIO DESIGNS Record Weight on my TECHDAS (JAPAN) Air Force One turntable with the VERTERE (UK) Reference tonearm,…the local audio distributor, YY Sound Systems (MALAYSIA) Sdn Bhd (and Reference Audio SINGAPORE– same management) asked if I be interested to review some other analogue audio accessories from THE WAND (NEW ZEALAND) by Mr.Simon Brown of Design Build Listen.
I did some digging and discovered that the brand started in 2011 with THE WAND Tonearm that utilised a large-diameter Carbon-Fiber Tube that made the arm up to four [4x] times stiffer than the traditional metal tonearms (available in three [3] lengths; 9.5“, 10.3“, and 12“).
Then THE WAND Turntable Model 14-4 was launched in 2019. It was handcrafted in NEW ZEALAND with GERMAN Plywood and a Substantial, Multi-Layer 14-inch “Smart Platter” for maximum rotational inertia, and featured computer-machined anti-vibration chassis mechanics.
The mentioned audio distributor’s Mr.Maurice Han enticed me with a fact that Mr.Gary Koh of GENESIS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES and HYPER ANALOGUE PRODUCTIONS (whom was part of the design team behind the HYPER ANALOGUE Sonic X-4 MC phono cartridge that I admired very much) inspired the design philosophy of THE WAND Weight, a ‘600g of shaped Bronze that sat on three [3] Balls of different materials placed in calculated positions’ (he knew that I respected the works of Mr.Koh,…and retail at Ringgit Malaysia RM1200).
“Sure”, I replied him.
Then he added that it be good to add in the same review, THE WAND Mat, a thin layer Carbon Fibre Mat with Slits (that could work on any TECHDAS vacuum hold-down platter,…and retail at Ringgit Malaysia RM800), since they supposedly complimented each other for best performance (though not a necessity?).
AFTER THE DESIGN, THEN THE BUILD AND NOW, LISTEN.
I started the listening session with only THE WAND Weight on my TECHDAS Air Force One turntable with the VERTERE Reference tonearm and the HYPER ANALOGUE Sonic X-4 MC cartridge. The Analogue source was connected to my FM ACOUSTICS 223 Phono Master/ Linearizer, FM ACOUSTICS 268C preamplifier, VITUS AUDIO MASTERPIECE MPM-201 AF monoblock amplifiers, GRYPHON AUDIO KODO loudspeakers and cabled mostly with SKOGRAND CABLES.
My initial impression with THE WAND Weight was positive (that I exclaimed in my mind that it actually worked!),…it actually contributed to
Image Specificity and Soundstaging.
Then, I included the THE WAND Mat on the same TECHDAS Air Force One vacuum hold-down platter to check if that worked? Yes, THE WAND Mat could work with the vacuum hold-down feature on the TECHDAS Air Force One turntable(!)
I found that THE WAND Mat alone (without THE WAND Weight) on the activated TECHDAS Air Force One vacuum hold-down platter was able to
improve the overall presentation of the Bass, and clarity to the Depth of the Soundstage.
After the above listening sessions and gained understandings thereof, I decided to proceed with the review with both THE WAND Weight and THE WAND Mat on my TECHDAS Air Force One turntable, and connected with the chain of audio components as stated above.
Here, I confirmed that the addition of THE WAND Weight and THE WAND Mat did contribute to the…
Clarity and Delineation of the groups of musicians in the orchestra.
It brought about the distinction of Spaces in between the group of musicians, and resulted in
obvious Depth at the Soundstage.
Undoubtedly, they have contributed to the audibility of the
Vastness of the orchestra’s Soundscape.
Here, I found myself captivated by the
Surreality of Presence
of the guitarist, as if Mr.Narciso Yepes was playing in my audio den. Yes, THE WAND Weight and THE WAND Mat improved the
Vividness of Weight and Dimensions (thus the Presence)
of the instrument, the guitar and the fingering (the play) at the strings by the said guitarist. There was that
added Intimacy
to the whole presentation, as if I was invited to the ‘Forefront Seat‘ at the performance to
absorb the Energy Up-Close!
I too got the same sound quality from the late pianist, Mr.Gonzalo Soriano‘s performance at the piano. However, in the perspective of an audiophile, I wish to note that THE WAND Weight and THE WAND Mat did accentuate the
Clear Pause
of each note played, as intended by the late pianist, and highlighted
the Tangibility and Differing Weight of the note played.
At the fast tempo track of “Midnight Lightning” by Ryoichi Kuniyoshi-san, I found THE WAND Weight and THE WAND Mat also highlighted the
Sustainability of that Tempo
and even maintained the
Foundation of Energy Transient.
Thus, I was able to enjoy the
intended Vibes (Mood, Atmosphere, and Energy),
and also the Quantum thereof.
I took out and played the album, ‘Espana -A Tribute to Spain‘ (VALLPBR001) produced by Chasing The Dragon, an audiophile label from ENGLAND. Interestingly, at the back of the album cover was written that the recording was mastered with the Stax SR009 Headphones (supplied by Mr.Nigel Crump of Symmetry, who happened to be the representative of Mark Levinson for UK, that I bought my ML system from, and befriended with, in the 1990s),…and coincidently, I just had a conversation with the local Stax distributor, Creative AV (MALAYSIA) Sdn Bhd at my office (side tracked)
The addition of THE WAND Weight and THE WAND Mat spotlighted the Intimacy, Density, Weight and Presence of Ms.Rosie Middleton‘s performance before an ensemble of musicians (at the track, Bizet’s Carmen)
Her Vocalisation stood Distinct and Solid amidst the powerful classical orchestra presentation.
In addition, I found nothing was amissed in the presented resolution of the vocalist and instruments, but wished to note that I was
extra fond of the presentation of the Bass Drums that sounded Tight, Control, Define and came at the appropriate Quantum from the Depth of the Soundstage.
Finally, I got to hear, appreciate and immerse into the Spaciousness, Airiness (high ceiling) and Atmosphere of the Air Studios (the recording venue), as per the recording.
THE TWO PIECES TO THE PUZZLE.
THE WAND Weight and THE WAND Mat were to me the other two [2] pieces to the puzzle of analogue source,…
without them, I would be missing Important Elements in Sound Quality.
Sure, there may be other accessories that could do the job, but the main question was at what cost(?!)
At the total retail of Ringgit Malaysia RM2000 for THE WAND Weight and THE WAND Mat (comparatively, reasonably priced),