what happened to WAD?

www.worldaudiodesign.com doesn't exists anymore.

www.world-designs.co.uk seems to be a replacement but with much less products available.

what happened?

 

Sounds like they overstreched themselves.....maybe there just wasn't the demand ? or any of a thousand other reasons. Some one must have some info

 

Failed delivery times, no response to mails, i think that had something to do with it.

 

I'm not entirely sure, but the guys at WAD seemed to disappear. I think there may have been a falling out between WAD and hifi World, but that's my speculation.

Anyway, Peter Comeau has taken up the gauntlet and got things going under then name of World Designs. My understanding, from announcements on the World designs forum, is that he managed to acquire all of the old WAD stock and is still in the unenviable position of sorting out the lorryfull. (I have purchased a Headphone kit from w-d and can vouch for their far speedier and accurate service than from wad).

From what I can gather they're going to replace the kits with new designs, but are selling off the old ones at the moment. Its certainly worth contacting Peter if you're after something that's not listed as he may still be in the process of sorting it out/ ordering missing parts to complete the kits.

the new W-D kits are the WD25a and T loudspeakers and there will be a new KT88 amp in the next month or so. Given Peter's enthusiasm I wouldn't be surprised if we see lots of new kits in the near future. meanwhile the old Kel84, 300b PSE and Headphone amp are currently available from the old WAD stock.

 

A major falling out between the two directors after one of them effectively walked away but still wanted half the income!!
Nice.....

The old WAD stock was bought by Peter Comeau, ex of Heybrook and an excellent designer and thoroughly nice chap IMHO.
He set up World Designs (WD) with a new product range and forum. Some of the WAD stuff is still available and there is plenty of new stuff planned.

http://www.world-designs.co.uk/

 

their previous catalogue of products was too big - meaning that too large an array of parts were needed to be kept as stock.

This led to difficulty selling kits, and profits tied up in stock.

Slimming the product line is very sensible, and it seems like they've kept the best of the amps.

 

how are their 300b amps?

 

They are pretty good Croc.

The 300B PSE is parallel single ended, so giving you about 20watts.

At just under £900, the value for money is good.

If you want pure single ended, the glasshouse can do that for similar money, giving about 11watts.

Also, the 'ladyday' amps from diyhifi supply have a fine reputation.

I prefer British made/sold kits however from a ease of communication/exchange/return etc basis.

 

can I just point out that the 300B amp kit is 900 without valves.
the valves are another couple of hundred on top.

 

what are you talking about?

 

He' refering to the Glasshouse 300b SE by Nick Lucas of Hifi Collective
http://www.hificollective.co.uk/kits/glasshousehome.html
I've had one for two years, it's a great looking amp, very easy to assemble and has a really high end sound, worth considering if your in the market for a 300b

 

we were talking about 300b kit amps - the WAD is a 300B pse (parallel single ended, not single ended triode).

the glasshouse 300b kit is a 300b single ended triode, and costs slightly less.

http://www.hificollective.co.uk/kits/300bsepictures.html

the ladyday is also a 300b set kit, available from diyhifisupply in america. the kit actually comes from china I believe.

http://www.diyhifisupply.com/diyhs_ladyday.htm

 

sorry kenny, I must have mis-read the WAD page thinking it included valves.

It must be about 1,100 or so including then.

 

This is my understanding too.

 

Before the plug was pulled on the old WAD BB there was a thread in which Noel Keywood of Hi-Fi Word spelled out the difficulties in getting the directors to communicate. Something got sorted in the end resulting in the sale of all remaining WAD stock to World Designs under the control of Peter Comeau. Some full kits are still available as are lots of spares. I believe the new stuff is designed by Andy Grove who did lots of the WAD stuff and I'd therefore suggest that it's more like a re-birth for WAD rather than a sad demise.