Unsung Local Hero (no apologies to Mark Knopfler!)

[DevillEars]

There is a gentleman living in Cape Town who has quietly been building a moving coil cartridge of the highest quality and has yet to be featured (to my knowledge, anyway) in our local audio press - despite the fact that the SA edition of Popular Mechanics has done so a couple of months ago.  The April 2008 edition of Popular Mechanics - on pages 60-63 - featured a write-up on the "Blue Angel Mantis" and it's creator, André Hanekom.

Here are two reviews of the cartridge in question:

Vinyl Asylum: http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/messages/71/715501.html

VinylSA: http://vinylsa.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1364

These two reviews - from two continents - provide an insight into the quality of this cartridge - and the dedication of its creator.

Come on Andrew, it's time this particular prophet was recognised in his own land (and time)!

 

[RR]

Absolutely agree.

I read a detailed article in the e-zine 'The Analogue Groove' produced by DewAudio about Andre and his MC cartridge. Since then I have questioned many a dealer and analogue enthusiast about it, and all of them had positive replies. Those who have heard it in action says it is unbeatable for the money.

So, just hearsay from my side, but what we hear of it is surely enough to warrant investigation by AVSA. Deon, Joel ??

(Maybe don't ask William )

RR

[Hi-Phibian]

I may be wrong but I believe said manufacturer has actually deliberately not focussed on and ignored the local scene. An approach that may have actually worked as I think (with all respect to VA, Steinhart, Sonor etc etc) he has better recognition in his field abroad then any other SA based audio maker. Thinking about it, I really understand his reasoning. Sad but so.

AFAIK, AVSA gets offered product to review, I do not think they ask.

(The fact that Manley, De Paravicini, VTL and Halcro have SA links is besides, they do not mnf here.)

[jamster]

I am sure if Andre got into contact with Joel or Deon this could be made to happen.

[DevillEars]

I am sure if Andre got into contact with Joel or Deon this could be made to happen.

André is not exactly the "fame-seeking type" and is, in fact, a rather modest individual and would be unlikely to approach anyone off his own bat.  That was why I suggested that maybe someone should approach him instead.

Also, Croak's observations regarding André's market focus are valid.

I just feel that, given the quality of the product and it being relatively unknown in SA, that maybe AVSA could make more people aware of just what André has achieved....

[joel]

Actually spoke to him a few years ago, and he was going to send one of his babies up to us for a review.

Followed up a few times but nothing was forthcoming.

Reasoned that he probably didnt want us to do a review so stopped following up.

[Cleansound]

I agree on the not seeking fame issue Dave, but business is business and there are quite a few guys locally buying cartridges starting at R 8 000.00 and upwards.
If you want the business then start blowing your trumpet, locally too.
I heard from Andre' that the alloy versions are starting at R 8 500.00
Not bad.
I know someone who has a Mantis and I am sure with a bit of persuasion he would not mind AVSA to review said cartridge.Just a thought.
In short, Devill, I fully agree with you, guys like Andre' ,and sorry for mentioning Schalk, often get overlooked because of their humility.
C'mon Avsa, if the mountain won't come to you then why not go to the mountain 
If I am out of order, as I have had qrootbek lately, then just tell me to shut up 

[DevillEars]

Actually spoke to him a few years ago, and he was going to send one of his babies up to us for a review.

Followed up a few times but nothing was forthcoming.

Reasoned that he probably didnt want us to do a review so stopped following up.

I was thinking more along the lines of a "tribute" rather than a review, for the simple reason that the process of manufacture is more of a "labour of love" than a truly commercial venture and each unit is made to order.

In fact, after sleeping on this, I think it's high-time that AVSA incorporated a cover feature (or even a series of them) that paid tribute to all of our local audio manufacturers, including a mini-biography and some pictures of premises and products.  The unexpected and unannounced departure from the local scene of Gunther Steinhart, leaving in the lurch those that had bought his products, has - I am pretty sure - had an impact on the "do I buy local?" question, and a "tribute to SA's unsung heroes" may well help to put this issue to bed...

We have the good fortune to be graced with a number of candidates including the following partial list (please feel free to add others I may have omitted):

a) Blue Angel (André)
b) Lerange (our Louis - cause of some recent confusion)
c) Maestro (our rather vocal AV himself)
d) Sonor (Roy)
e) Sound Structures (Hein)
f) Valve Audio (Schalk)

All of the above produce quality audio products and tend, in the rush of hype on new mainstream imported goods, to get ignored.

So, to Andrew, Joel, Deon etc. - let's see a feature or two on the local scene!

[Cleansound]

Hear, Hear
Fantastic idea.

[Andrew]

Hi,

I'm sure we can make a plan. If he's not keen on an actual equipment review, that would be unfortunate, but I see no reason why we can't do a feature on our local audio 'stars'. I'll bring it up at our next meeting and give you guys feedback.

[joel]

I'm always keen to punt and support (good) local products.

On Devil's list of 6 manufacturers I own product from three of them.

In fact if we look at our (AVSA's ) reviewers, yo find quite a bit of local product.

Deon and William use Vivid speakers (they would be no 7 on the list). I think both have Soundstructures stands, and William had (has) some Steinhart gear.

Sean has owned Sonor speakers and has some Lerange cabinets.

I've got a SoundStructures stand, Sonor speakers, a Valve Audio amp, and use a Clearline filter/lightning protector(No8) and some power cables from Lowveld Audio (9) and Power cables by Compu By design form CT (10).

I'd love to add a Blue Angel to the list

[Hi-Phibian]

Guys, I am sorry but this may hurt.
If I develop a product with export potential I would keep the following in mind.

The Blue Angel product has been favourably "reviewed" in Stereophile, in fact M Fremer said something like that AH has come to the level he is in a matter of years is amazing considering his effort sounded on par with a top end design put together by a stalwart with a lifetime of cartridge building behind him.
By focussing on the top end international scene you get exposed to the right market if you want to try and move some real product quantity.

I do not know how to put this gently but the "local is lekker" way of promoting audio, cheapens the local brands to the point it may be seen as detrimental to their international appeal despite the reviewers best intentions. A review mentioning that something is a world class product that does not stand back for its import competition for eg implies that we South Africans (residents) expect our product to stand back for the overseas products and that a world class item is the exception.

Compare that to the enthusiastic reception in the press abroad to products from around the world, if the product is a class act, it mostly gets seen as such and exotic locations and quirks or beliefs of the maker add to the appeal and gives the writer something juicy to fill a quarter page. The product has the opportunity to acquire or maintain status.

I frequently read the Dutch on line audio scribes. There is a reasonable contingent of Dutch upmarket manufacturers too that many outside of the Benelux may not have heard of. Never, does the mention of a Van Medevoort amplifier for example get spoken about as "worthy" of being in the ranks of the others. It just is, it is a product of the calibre of everything else spoken about and gets mentioned in the same breath as Naim or Classe etc etc.

I find South Africans to often be very proud of the successes we make or who we know that made or does something special of world standard. Does it make a proud nation? I sometimes wonder, I actually think not, as we seem to feel that local success is the exception and we bring this across in the way we praise our local successes.

Just a thought. If my world class product with export potential hits the shelves I will be working the overseas markets, a tiny % of acceptance there will be a cash flow greater then being very successful here. The local market will follow (as seen with the Blue Angel and Vivid speakers for example). 

[Shonver]

Croak

Thanks for saying that.

"Ladies and gentlemen... South Africa's own..." 

[jamster]

Guys, I am sorry but this may hurt.
If I develop a product with export potential I would keep the following in mind.

The Blue Angel product has been favourably "reviewed" in Stereophile, in fact M Fremer said something like that AH has come to the level he is in a matter of years is amazing considering his effort sounded on par with a top end design put together by a stalwart with a lifetime of cartridge building behind him.
By focussing on the top end international scene you get exposed to the right market if you want to try and move some real product quantity.

I do not know how to put this gently but the "local is lekker" way of promoting audio, cheapens the local brands to the point it may be seen as detrimental to their international appeal despite the reviewers best intentions. A review mentioning that something is a world class product that does not stand back for its import competition for eg implies that we South Africans (residents) expect our product to stand back for the overseas products and that a world class item is the exception.

Compare that to the enthusiastic reception in the press abroad to products from around the world, if the product is a class act, it mostly gets seen as such and exotic locations and quirks or beliefs of the maker add to the appeal and gives the writer something juicy to fill a quarter page. The product has the opportunity to acquire or maintain status.

I frequently read the Dutch on line audio scribes. There is a reasonable contingent of Dutch upmarket manufacturers too that many outside of the Benelux may not have heard of. Never, does the mention of a Van Medevoort amplifier for example get spoken about as "worthy" of being in the ranks of the others. It just is, it is a product of the calibre of everything else spoken about and gets mentioned in the same breath as Naim or Classe etc etc.

I find South Africans to often be very proud of the successes we make or who we know that made or does something special of world standard. Does it make a proud nation? I sometimes wonder, I actually think not, as we seem to feel that local success is the exception and we bring this across in the way we praise our local successes.

Just a thought. If my world class product with export potential hits the shelves I will be working the overseas markets, a tiny % of acceptance there will be a cash flow greater then being very successful here. The local market will follow (as seen with the Blue Angel and Vivid speakers for example). 

G, I love you like a brother from another mother, but this is a load of horse manure.

Local media does not affect international opinion. Simple. A good product will do well overseas if it is marketed well overseas. It will do well here if marketed well, and may indeed do better than it should, because of a price advantage.

S

[kHz]

How about a “Local is lekker” edition of AV or would that be “Local is LOUD”??