Shindo?

Shindo gear has cult like following, and is designed and best used in a system approach. Many users do however just use their preamps with other equipment. It has a very pure sound quality that is quite different from the majority of other gear, so is best auditioned before purchasing. They use minimalist circuit designs for the utmost in purity.

I have owned Shindo. It is very musical and beautiful gear.
However, I would caution that buying used you will get no support from dealers if needed. Some of the original tubes used are hoarded by Shindo and cannot be bought unless the gear was bought new from a dealer. Also, service, if needed is treated the same.
Having said that, the circuits are simple and workable by non-Shindo qualified techs. Tubes of the same likeness are available, just not the "Shindo" magic ones.
My experience

Shindo is a pretty exclusive club. Class stuff. Shindo San (RIP) was a true craftsman. Anyone would be proud to own his gear. And the sound... music. real beautiful music. Some of the best gear I have heard. You should have high effeciency speakers to pair up with them.

I run a full Shindo system, which is how it's been designed - pre - amp - cables etc... in a linked chain. Many feel (self included) that the Shindo's pre amps are the "heart" of the system. As you climb the line they just get better and better, where as the amps all have different personalities/flavors and should be auditioned based on your tastes and speakers etc... A Shindo Pre can be a game changer but you will never realize the full potential w/o a complete system and obviously you'll need high sensitivity speakers as well. To Muzikat's point about dealer servicing; I have heard that before but I bought all my Shindo gear second-hand and unknown to me a Shindo Montrachet amp I bought here via Audiogon was blown to bits by the previous owner. The importer Jonathan Halpern was so helpful and gracious in getting me back in action. Of course the amp had to go back to Japan and cost $2k in repairs but I have the piece on mind knowing that it was brought back to spec by the family that 1st made it. I fully agree with Bill_K, Shindo has a cult following. Like anything it's not for everyone but I've definitely drank the Kool-Aid.

Hmmm. The Adagios are 89db, so I doubt they'll be efficient enough for the Shindos. Still, it's sonething I'm keeping in mind. Thanks for all the feedback.