Tube Research Labs Dude vs. Shindo Labs preamps


I am in the market to look for a tube preamp. I have narrow down my choices to Tube Research Labs Dude and a comparable price Shindo Labs.

Can anybody provide me your experience to help me to make a better decision? Better yet, have anybody compared them side by side before?

Thank!
tthean
Goldeneraguy, no, just an end user who has paid full price for all the gear I own. That's a fair question.

I wouldn't necessarily say they are feuding. Charlie has voiced his frustrations in multiple threads, some even not related to TRL, and the internet medium tends to propagate feud-like conditions.

Charlie and I have spoken many times on the phone since we are both Dude owners and I previously owned his speakers, the EP 2.3s. He is obviously frustrated (I have been there with other manufacturers) and needs some resolution. The whole issue is how to get there.

The irony of his situation (IMO) is that he would be better served going with Clayton Shaw's spatial system for his EP speakers. That way, you get rid of the cheap pro (DBX) digital x-over/room correction unit which performs a redundant DA conversion and sullies the sound. The Dude (and any pre-amp for that matter) is not the optimal solution. Again, I have no vested interest in Spatial....
Yes Charlie, others have had problems with ground loop or buzz. 4/5 (excluding you at this point) were related to associated equipment and/or cables. You are going to look pretty stupid if after all the flamethrowing online it turns out to be something else.

Again, take the Dude to a friends rig. See if the phenomenon is transferrable. Try different cabling. Have a third party examine it. By all means.
Goldeneraguy, the problems with my Dude were identified long before I move to EP speaker platform. I still have most of those same components in the mix today. That system iteration consisted of the following:

Bel Canto CD-2
Audio Horizons Tube DAC 3.0
TRL Dude
Bel Canto Ref1000 monoblocks
Audio Horizons and Harmonic technology IC's
Acoustic Zen Speaker cables

I'm not frustrated with my situation but rather not being allowed to share an experience with others on this site. Having to fend off members like Agear and Glory openly only makes TRL look bad IMHO and there are some really good things to say about the sound of this product.

Never interfered with their right to share experiences about any product or service on this site. I lots of really nice members contacting me behinds the scenes sharing information and experiences. Shame it has to happen in this manner.
It is a shame it has to happen in this manner, and it actually makes you look bad Charlie. Orders are continuing to come in despite your best attempts. Please let us know what is actually wrong with your pre-amp when that is diagnosed.

At this time, TRL's current product stands for itself and the witness of its inherent value will continue to unfold regardless of bitter naysayers. It is probably one of the best pre-amps under 30K, and if you are frustrated with mediocre sound and overpriced gear, give it a whirl....