THE WAM SHOW 2022

Ian Ringstead pops along to Stoke where he visited a HiFi show with a difference, the WAM Show – a show very much for (and by) amateur HiFi enthusiasts and their friends.

I’ve never been to the WAM show before, so this was going to be an interesting shout. The show was based at the North Staffordshire hotel in the centre of Stoke and it was quite a large older property. The WAM show is certainly a show that wears its heart on its sleeve as it is primarily amateur enthusiasts who turn up and play their pride and joy for anyone who wants to listen.

This makes for an interesting eclectic mix of equipment from many decades, a lot of which I remember, and the exhibitors aren’t there for personal gain. The emphasis is therefore definitely on come and listen and ask me questions if you so wish. Systems were hugely varied from humble affairs that the owners had had maybe 40 to 50 years to very expensive up-to-date kit you’d see at a normal show. There was a fun element involved and I don’t blame the owners for being happy to state this is what I listen to daily. Good for them!

The other great aspect of the show is that it was a charitable event for a local hospice and so at midday an auction and raffle was held in the old ballroom where people including myself clutched their tickets in anticipation of a surprise prize. The auction had a mix of new and second-hand prizes all donated generously by people wanting to support a good cause. I ended up buying a new pair of Cyrus speakers for £50, a bargain. Other auction lots included a pair of AR-2 speaker from Alchris Audio and rare CD sets and valves.

There were 40 exhibitors based over the ground floor and two more floors above. Being an old hotel, it was somewhat rambling in nature and quirky – a bit like me.  I started on the ground floor and first looked at the record sales and Supra cables sales. Along the corridor was Alchris Audio where Alan Clarke was proudly exhibiting his new V200 floor standers which sounded rather nice. I hope to hear these soon at home for a review. Also in the room was Solid Sounds bespoke racks and accessories and a turntable shelf for anyone with bouncy floors.

Another room on the ground had a plethora of different components that looked to have been made over some time. This included custom built Volt 18” drivers along with Volt and Seas mids and tops. The electronics had a lot of Behringer components, and the system was a fully active 5-way affair.

The first floor had sixteen rooms. The rooms that particularly stood out for me were the EAR Acute mk1 with Audio Origami 12” PU7 arm, VDH Black Beauty cartridge, Aura sound Vida phono stage Yamaha C65 pre and M65 power, driving Yamaha NS1000 that looked like new. I do like the NS1000.

Another room had Accuphase DP65V CD player, Technics SP10 mk2 PMAT 1010 arm, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Accuphase E306 Omar Skinner CR502 speakers and subs.

Along the way was a real mix of 40- to 50-year-old equipment that the gentleman was proudly showing off. His turntable was a Michell Focus 1 with SME3009 fixed head shell and a Sumiko Bluepoint high output moving coil. His amplifier was an Icon Stereo 20PP homebuilt FLEA unit. Speakers were Tannoy Mercury and a Greg Ratae bookshelf design. He played us a Jimi Hendrix record that was from the early 70’s that was new to me.

On the second floor I saw a lot more Technics direct drive models. Technics really made their mark back in the 70’s and 80’s and the classic direct drives still command huge respect and are revered by many.

One room was dedicated to all Rega products. Now not many manufacturers can boast of building a whole system from start to finish, especially a British one. On dem were an Apollo cd player, Rega Dac, Rega P9, Rega Cursa pre, Rega Maia 3 power, Rega RS1 speakers, and REL Quake sub. It all sounded lovely and reminds me how good kit from a few years back can still impress today.

One really nice room had a Gyrodec with Moerch DP6 tonearm, Ortofon Rohmann , Aurorasound Vida, , SJS Arcadia, John Wood KT88 amp and Snell Type A 111 speakers. Vey nice indeed and they played Talk Talk on it.

A very enthusiastic gentleman had a complete Sony system form the 70’s and 80’s with CDPXE-3000 cd player which I used to own, a TAE 86, TAN 900, STR 6120, SQA 2030 quadraphonic processor, and APM 6 and 77W flat diaphragm speakers. I love vintage kit like this, and he told me that the speakers were the only pair left in Europe when he got them second hand from an ex-Sony employee. I’d have loved to had a paly with it all at home and explore its potential. Companies like Sony really went to town back in the 70’s and 80’s with their designs and came up with some genuinely novel products.

Avondale Thorens TD150 mk2, Avondale Quad 44 and 405 -2, Tannoy Devons, Quad FM4 tuner, and an Arcam CD player. Again, a lovely sound. I know Avondale modified kit well and Les Wolstenholme does an excellent job of greatly improving classic British audio product from Quad and Naim especially.

Audio Note showed off a variety of their excellent valve equipment in a large room and this time they had removed the lids of the units so you could look inside. All enthusiasts like a good neb inside. The system sounded superb and was no doubt expensive but then Audio Note don’t believe in cutting corners.

In conclusion this was a very different type of show. If you do go, and I encourage you to, then go with an open mind. The hotel was old and had its challenges with small, crowded bedrooms and tight spaces.  Don’t expect professional displays and slick presentations. It really is a show run by amateurs for amateurs. The heart and soul of the show is about fun and sharing. HiFi is a self-indulgent hobby at best so expect some surprises.

After covid for the last two years, people were obviously keen to get out again and enjoy a day of fun.

Ian Ringsted