World Designs closes down

Just seen the announcement on the WD site and forum that the company ceased trading yesterday due to lack of demand for the products.

A sad day IMO as the kits really were excellent and well above the standard of cheaper chinese imports.

I built four of their valve kits and still own three.
My first attempt at building a point-to-point valve amp and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The WD forum is still running for the short term.

 

Sad news indeed. I've heard a few of their amps and liked them a lot.

 

All anyone needs to do is contact Hi-Fi Collective they can get the same or equivalent.

 

I see that Dave Cawley is looking at taking on WD and the WD Forum. I have fond memories of building WAD and then WD stuff and wish him well.

 

Hopefully the forum will survive in some form. There must be a lot of WD/WAD kits out there and there was a lot of expertise on the forum.

 

if someone was cute/quick ....they could offer a slot on this forum

just a thought

 

Sad to see WAD go, really liked the ones I've heard.
I couldn't help but notice that I can't get into the Audiocom website at the moment, are they related?

 

Looks like it's now a done deal!

 

Yep, Timestep are absolutely first class so I think the future looks good for WD (and WAD!)

 

I hope so.

I also have huge time for world audio design amps - I have a few comments though, just in case dave reads here -

1) wad amps - when was the last new model or significant model change? you can't sit on your heels in this industry - look at diyhifisupply.com - constantly looking for ways to make things better, developlment and money in R&D. You cant sit on your heels and expect the money to keep flowing..

2) prices - when the kel84 was available at world audio, it was under £300. About £250 for the basic one if memory serves. Now? - double that. A golden opportunity missed to show a clean pair of heels to chinese imports on ebay missed. Britian needs a decent sounding valve kit amp WELL under £300. I was going to make one, but frankly its not my business, Id rather stick to the day jobs.

3) Promotion.
I couldnt see WAD doing anything new as per point 1, but if they did, I sure never heard about it. I'm all over the UK forums and if changes they had potentially made rippled in the market, I like to think I would know. Nothin though.. Can't rely on Hifi World magazine for free promotion anymore...