The Aura was the conception of Dave Whittaker, a New Zealander, who built Auras in Auckland, NZ and also in Brisbane, Australia, from around 1984 until 2006, when Dave died at the tender age of 73.
I made this sketch to show the component parts of the Aura
I’m not the world’s leading expert on Auras but I have gathered some information over the years. I am happy to share knowledge on…set-up, maintenance, etc.
My own Aura with Apparition tonearm. Floor lamp is Mira by Mario Arnaboldi.
I’d be pleased to hear from any Aura users out there. Or, just interested to know where they all are?
I was fortunate to acquire an Aura from Dave in 1999…and as I recall, part of my payment was an Audio Research D70 Mk2 tube amplifier!
Stereophile’s review of the Aura in its April 1990 issue:
An experimental version of the Aura with twin motors and flywheel.
The additional flywheel mass increased Rotational Inertia and the flywheel can be geared to spin at 6 to 8 times faster than the platter, thus increasing Angular Momentum of the flywheel-platter combination by around 50%.
Note that by this time, Dave was supplying twin, round polyurethane belts (from Pyramid Inc. USA) to drive the platter. A flat rubber belt was still used to help provide isolation between motor and flywheel.
Dave Whittaker at home in Albany, Auckland in 2002:
Addendum (May 2014):
In order to harness the benefits of the Flywheel, you must use a non-stretch belt. The best I have tried is mylar tape (eg. 6mm magnetic recording tape). Dave made such tape belts using a tape-splicer & ‘superglue’.
The Flywheel’s Rotational Kinetic Energy is then coupled to the platter’s. On the other hand, the Motor is decoupled from the the Flywheel with a rubber drive-belt.
The result is much more punchy bass, ‘drive’ and ‘leading edges’, pitch stability, weight and clarity throughout.
See also – AURA turntable tear-down
See also – Skipper Wise’s AURA turntable
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Hi just read your article in the aura turntable.
I worked with dave, while he developed the table, and we would discuss, the way it was made, and designed, 1 have one of the first to be made, its different in quite a few ways, I have a friend in America, who has one of the originals, his balance table is chromed, mine is gold plated like yours.
Mine has been it storage for 10 years, and are now putting it back together, will send a pic when finished, looking for an sme arm, to finish.
The original turn tables were called mss
(micro static sound systems)
Thanks for the article
Bryan Darby
Hi Bryan – thanks for the comments.
Did you work with Dave in Auckland or in Oz?
Dave worked originally in Insurance, as I recall.
Yes I recall MSS, from some of Dave’s early AURA documentation.
Keep in touch about your AURA, hopefully running again soon!
Cheers, Owen
Hi Owen, Really like your site. I am looking at maybe buying one of my Dads AURA turntables but would love to have a chat with you about it. Are you able to email me your number so I can get in touch? Are you still in the Auckland region?
Hi Bernard – thanks, nice to hear from you!
If you would like to message me on the DarkLantern forums – http://darklantern.proboards.com
(You will have to register first.)
We can chat and/or I can give you further contact details.
I live in Akld & I will have an Aura for sale soon, actually.
Cheers, Owen
Hello Bernard
Sorry about your lost!!
I wish to by one of your Dads TT, if you have one for sale, I’m interested, if so can you give me a price, what would your Dad, recommend an arm, I have a Wand made in NZ, does it come with easy settings, however, I, can adapt, to the arm fittings, on the TT, I know this is sad, but I believe your Dad, would want, someone like me, to purchase and enjoy the best of analog!!
Can you get back to me??
Hi David – if you still have interest in buying an AURA TT (mine), it will be for sale very soon.
I am in New Zealand.
Cheers, Owen
Hi Owen I want to add the oil bath to my Aura do you have ideas on if this is possible Thank you
thanks, I’m still interested, can you tell me, be for, you put it in the market!!
An at what price!!, I had lost photos, I had computer problems!!
Can you/post any photos, to me
Regards
David Spry
Mollymook NSW
Australia
Hi David,
Apologies for delay in replying, family matters interrupting!
I’ll email you details & some thoughts.
Photos can be seen here – https://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/2016/12/28/aura-turntable-tear-down/
Regards – Owen
HELLO , SHOUD IT COMES ON THE MARKET, i WISH TO BUY!!
WHAT PRICE, DO YOU THINK??
REGARDS
DAVID SPRY
AUST
Hi Martyn – do you mean the lower end of the platter tube, sleeve-bearing?
I have little knowledge about this, although I do recall Dave mentioning that he glue-fixed this plastic receptacle down (onto the mirror I guess).
Sorry, I can’t offer much more info here.
Is your s an early-ish AURA?
Cheers, Owen
Hi Owen yes that is correct I guess it’s a diy mod which is half the fun of owning a Handcrafted TT I will figure it out cheers mate
Yes Owen mine is 1983 model