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Seeking your advice on Shindo preamps

Dear audiophiles,

I have been in this hobby for 10 years now and have owned many nice amps, preamps, speakers but have never heard of Shindo

Here are my current systems:

System1
Cary SPL05
Cary 805 AE
Cary 306 SACD
Audio Research PH7
VPI HRX, with DRT XV1 cartridge
Speakers: Usher Be20
Cables: Acoustic Zen absolute

System2
CJ CT5
CJ LP70s and premier 350
CJ UDP deluxe
Speakers: gershman black swans
Cables: Acoustic Zen Absolute

I recently got in touch with a friend who i sold a pair of EW andras to about 6 months ago (Ommega is his users name). He really peaked my interest in the Shindo products. I have been searching for an audio perfection path for quite a while now and can use your help. I am ready for a new change and appreciated your comments/suggestons if you own this product (amp and/or preamp). I would like to start with a preamp and build a new system around it. A thread like this can lead into something very large and complex with many different opnions so i only want to focus on the Shindo and nothing else. If possible, please do not ask me why or what is wrong with my existing systems. In fact there is nothing wrong with them, i am just ready for a new sound. I listen to country, classical, jazz, and rock. Thanks in advance for your help...

I was considering buying a pair of Audio space Reference 2 preamp and amp for my next system but i am going to wait until i hear your feedbacks before flying out to SF for an audition.
Ag insider logo xs@2xginas
jeffreybowman2k
216 posts
 

Shindo Labs Monbrisson preamp which I found to be quite ordinary in the context of my system

with respect, i could not disagree more with the suggestion that the Monbrisson is anything less than an extraordinary pre-amp. i suspect that the qualifer -- "in the context of my system" -- is the operative part of you statement, if the "system" you are referring to is the one that includes an exclusively digital front-end and a pair of powerful SS monblocks. all of which is very nice equipment, but not what i would think of as good match for Shindo.

Ginas, on the other hand, appears to own other equipment that would mate quite nicely with the Monbrisson.
bigamp
219 posts
 
I can't compare the brands you mentioned. But I'll add this 2 cents for what it's worth. People always mention the tonal accuracy of Shindo preamps. What suprised me about the Shindo Vosne-Romanee preamp that I demoed in my system was the amount of detail. It had more detail than my EmmLabs DCC2 preamp (I just played digital, EMM CDSD/DCC2 alone vs. EMM CDSD/DCC2 as a source feeding the Shindo preamp). I expected better tonal accuracy, which it had, but I didn't expect even more detail. The demo has eliminated for me the myth that you have to give up detail to get better musicality.
bsal
41 posts
 
I own a full Shindo system. I have owned the Monbrison and now the Vosne Romanee. If I had the cash, I'd buy the Giscours or even the Petrus. I've been through lots of gear, but to my ears the Shindo stuff is the best by far.
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ginas OP
15 posts
 
Thanks all for your inputs. Given what i have stated above for amps and speakers, will there be huge benefit for me to try Shindo starting with just a preamp or you think i should add the amp as well to fully realize its potential. What about speakers? Any suggestions? A friend who got me intersted in Shindo is currently using a pair of Wilson MaxxII and selling the Andras that i sold to him a few months ago. He said "Shindo is a revelation and "everything else" sounds fragmented"
wrp
42 posts
 
Ginas - I encourage you to speak with Jonathan Halpern of Tone Imports or Matt Rotunda of Pitch Perfect Audio regarding Shindo preamps. When I was going through the process of choosing Shindo gear, both Jonathan and Matt advised me that the preamp would make the most difference in my system.

I took their advice and purchased a Shindo Monbrison to mate with a pair of SS monoblocks. I immediately noticed that music sounded more lifelike. Soon thereafter, the SS monoblocks were replaced with a Shindo Cortese stereo amp. The amp was a definite improvement, but I would have to say that the preamp produced the most significant sonic improvement in my system. I have since gone on to upgrade to the Giscours preamp and the Sinhonia monoblocks. Every single upgrade has resulted in a more lifelike presentation of the music. If you take a look at my system page you'll see that I have taken a long and winding road to get to the end of my amp/preamp journey!

I find myself listening to a lot more music and spending a lot less time looking for gear. In fact, I only visit Audigon for the Forum and Music sections these days!

I hope you have an opportunity to audition a Shindo preamp in your own system where your ears and musical preferences are the ultimate deciding factors.
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