Dewald Visser Audio

Dewaudio – Dewald Visser Audio

I

About

For the past 20 years, Dewaudio has designed quality products for the audio industry. From designing microphones for recording studios, to building stereo amplifiers for home audio, the business is always ready to take on a new challenge. Improving the quality of electronic equipment is an enjoyable challenge. [ More details about the early days... ]

Dewald Visser, owner of Dewaudio

Electronics designer and music lover

Valve-based amplification has a special place in our hearts. What is today seen as vintage, is every bit as relevant as before.

Undertaking a variety of projects that have to do with audio, I can assist with just about any requirement. Designing amplifiers and microphones is my focus but other repairs are also undertaken. Most of all, I find great enjoyment in music, and seeing others do the same.

Craft

I focus on electronics and making things work properly.

Resumé

My journey started with the local hifi industry. For a number of years, I studied the industry to see where I could find a niche for myself. I then designed my first turntable, the Moxey, complete with a custom and unique tonearm. This unit is still performing in a client's setup.


I demonstrated the unit at the Sound and Vision Expo, Indaba Hotel, Johannesburg, in September 2008.


In 2012, I worked on a project in Malmo, Sweden, to design high-quality microphones for studio recordings. Along with this, I came to know how the recording process works, and have had the chance to see some really memorable studios, such as the one where ABBA recorded some of their music. Back in South Africa I had the chance to see both Bob and SABC studios.


I have also been fortunate to get involved with reel to reel tapes, for me the most trusted source for recorded music. There is just something about tapes and vinyl records that modern streaming services, as well as CD, can never match. The sense of ownership comes to mind. You can touch the medium, hold it, inspect it, and generally marvel at the technology that makes it work. It is no wonder then that youngsters are discovering these “old” formats, and lately, even cassette tapes.


In 2016 I purchased my first Linn Sondek LP12 turntable. This unit has made an indelible impression on me, and I proceeded to teach myself how to service and upgrade the unit. At the same time, I designed and built valve-based amplifiers and phono stages for stereo applications. I then designed and manufactured the Starmap and Starlink series of top plates, bases, and sub-chassis for the Linn Sondek LP12 turntable. Many of these units have been sold, and now form the basis of LP12 turntables for a number of clients who testify to the fact that the upgrades are worth every cent.


Given the extremely poor exchange rate, buying similar items from the official Linn supplier is all but impossible, except for the most affluent. At the best of times, spares are simply not available. It does however force us to come up with solutions. Currently there are many South Africans who are involved with the design of upgrades and other spares for LP12 turntables. I co-founded the Linn Sondek LP12 Support website and serve as a LP12 Fundi for the Pretoria region.


My aim is to be a premium designer of valve-based amplification units. It is on the horizon, and I enjoy the ride.

Portfolio

Here are some images of projects I have worked on, design work I have done, sometimes in conjunction with others, and random photos taken in the life of an electronics enthusiast.

  • All
  • Amplification
  • Loudspeakers
  • Microphones
  • Mixing Consoles
  • Reel to Reel Tape
  • Turntables
  • Valve Technology
  • Various
On occasion I dabble with moving coil cartirdge repair. This was a Denon DL-103 with a new cantilever fitted.
A live recording session at the Aula auditorium at TUKS.
The Dewaudio Tsungai amplifier set with a pair of Vandersteen Quattro speakers and Van Morrison.
At Bop Studios with the SSL4000 Mixing Console.
At the Vivid Loudspeaker factory circa 2013.
Tapes and microphones! The equipment that makes the music industry go around.
In a bluesy mood with the Dewaudio Firecat preamplifier
This custom made amplifier stack was completed in 2022 for a client in Johannesburg. Based on various modules from the First Watt series by Nelson Pass.
With Alani Keiser during the recording of The Isaac Macoy Collection album, using a pair of Pearl Microphones in a stereo array.
At another SSL recording console.
B&W 801 loudspeaker at a friend's place. There is a story behind this setup.
An image of equipment in listening room.
ABBA museum in Stockholm. Polar Music Studios Harrison 32b/c mixer built by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson in 1978.
My cat the audiophile
A microphone is always listening. This is a Manley Reference Gold in for a service.
An SSL console PCB module during repair.
Closeup of a Lowther P6M full-range loudspeaker driver.
At the M2 Studios SABC during a recording seession in 2012.
A Studer A810 master tape recorder during testing
I love vintage test equipment and this is a 1940s SICO tube tester from my collection.
Cats and Hi-Fi. Kwai keeping me company.
John Mayer on my Linn Sondek turntable.
A custom built microphone based around an M7 capsule. This one was clad in real leather and is referred to by its client as “Veldskoen”.
Dewaudio is very interested in microphones and the technology driving them.
The magnet side of a Tannoy Monitor Gold loudspeaker driver. This is what real hifi is made of!
A pair of custom crafted tube amplifiers during final assembly in mid 2018
Dan Patlansky live - one of South Africas best music exports!
This was a custom device I made for a client who became one of my best friends. Sadly he passed away in 2021.
A closeup shot of a custom KT88 push-pull amplifier I built in early 2018.
A custom Dewaudio tube preamplifier for a rare Esoteric Audio Research tube amplifier.
During master tape transfers in the summer of 2022.
Now and then even an electric guitar gets a bit of treatment. This is a beautiful vintage Hagstrom electric guitar.
At an SSL mixing console in Johannesburg.
Now this is a subwoofer. At one of the Rey Audio Kinoshita low frequency driver system at BOP Studios circa 2011.
Cats and Hi-Fi equipment pretty much sums up my daily life. This was a lovely little rescue called Purdy in 2021.
DA custom Dewaudio tube preamplifier for a client circa 2020.
The inside of a M7 capsule based microphone.
Always listening for exquisite sound. It's got to sound right.
Recording guitars in early 2017.
Vacuum tubes fascinates me to no end. It is quantum physics in action.
The Dewaudio Tsungai amplifier set amongst distinguished loudspeakers.
A NAGRA E tape machine during testing. A lot of Nagra tape recorders have passed through my hands.
At a lathe making a custom brass pod for a tonearm.
The Dewaudio Tsungai Prototype set late 2020.
The Dewaudio Tsungai amplifier set taking shape.
At Openroom Studios in Greenside Johannesburg.
A handheld Neumann microphone repaired.
A beautiful custom made tube preamplifier for a production studio.
Where it all started - at my folks Sanyo music centre circa 1984.
My god-child Lillian with my personal hifi rig December 2021
The very first prototype of a Dewaudio preamplifier.
Dewaudio specialises in the design of new amplifiers, and repair of just about any other make.
The Dewaudio Firecat at Bop Studios
During late 2020 and early 2022 I digitised 1400 master tapes for a local record label.
A repaired Neumann U87 microphone. I have repaired a lot of U87s during the years.
A well-used EMT 930 turntable before restoration.
Dewaudio has designed a new subchassis for the Linn Sondek LP12. The first Dewaudio Startrail LP12 sub-chassis in 2019.
A beautiful Revox PR99 tape recorder from my collection.
One of my favorite custom turntable builds was this Garrard 401 with Fidelity Research tonearms and Koetu cartridges.
One of my favorite phono cartridges of all time. The Benz Micro Ace. This one was slightly modified by me.
A heavily modified Lenco L75 turntable that I built in 2017 for a client.
At the Pearl microphone factory in Astorp, Sweden circa 2016.
Tape transfers circa 2020 with my beautiful Tic-Tac keeping me company.
My own Linn LP12 Sondek with a custom Cherry wood plinth.
Jeff Beck and my Linn LP12 Sondek turntable.
An early turntable build with an SME 3012 tonearm. It sounded good!
A Fostex E2 tape recorder at a client's place.
The very first custom turntable I have made. A Lenco L75 with a wooden tonearm. It sounded very good. This was circa 2006.
Calibrating an Otari MX-50 tape machine.

Services

My services include the following:

Design

I design solutions for areas such as suspension systems for turntables and many clients around the world use our Starmap and Startrail components in their Linn Sondek LP12 turntables.

Valve Technology

I love working with valve technology. Apart from designing and building valve amplifiers, I also service older amplifiers, and have even designed valve-based amplifiers for studio microphones.

Electronic Repairs

Contact me and tell us about your broken product. Bring it to me for assessment. If I see it can be realistically repaired, I will give you a quotation and then proceed.

Testimonials

What I tell you here means nothing if our clients do not have a story to tell.

In early August I said i'd never get into vinyl again. Two weeks later, I visited Dewald who set up my LP12 turntable to perfection. I have not looked back since.

Dewaudio

Andries Oberholzer

Web developer and vinyl enthusiast

I was about to throw away my valve-based amplifiers. Then I heard of Dewaudio and these classics are now back in my system, sounding better than ever.

Dewaudio

Sara Wilsson

Designer

We needed new microphones for our recording studio. Dewaudio's solution worked wonders for our business.

Dewaudio

Jena Karlis

Store Owner

Some parts are really hard to find in South Africa, especially for older products. Dewaudio recapped my vintage amplifier and it has been given a new lease on life.

Dewaudio

Matt Brandon

Freelancer

My turntable has been exensively upgraded with quality parts and now once again functions as it should.

Dewaudio

John Larson

Entrepreneur

Contact

Location:

Cullinan, Gauteng, South Africa

Call:

072 039-5379

Visits:

By appointment only



Credits

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