Calling All Ex - Shindo Preamp Owners

I have an EMM Labs XDS1 v.3 and Laufer Teknik Memory Player for digital sources, Basis Ovation vacuum TT/Graham Supreme/Air Tight analog source, VAC Phi 200 amp and Nola Micro Reference speakers (room is only 11x14, can't use bigger speakers), with a JL Labs Fathom F110 sub for the last octave of bass.  I actually don't use the phono stage of the Shindo (which is excellent), as I have a prototype of the Merrill Audio Jens phono stage made by its designer for me that is really something special.  The Shindo/VAC combination is quite good sonically, but the interface between the two requires me to use passive attenuators between them in order to be able to move the Shindo volume control to an optimal position, as below 8 o'clock the volume control has balance problems, as noted in some other threads.

@lalitk looked closely to find out difference btw two perfect amps, Accuphase A-48 is little bit warmer sounding, while P-4500 has deeper/stronger punch. Other-words, A-48 is better for classical/jazz records, and P-4500 is preferable for blues/rock.

@westcoastaudiophile 

Thank you for your feedback. I suspected just as much, the A-48 is my kind of amp but I wouldn’t mind bi-amping my E-650 with P-4500. 

Thanks @rcprince for sharing your experience of the Monbrisson and the other preamps that you have tried. Btw, is your Monbrisson the current generation (with the output transformer) or the previous generation?

It's an old generation, circa around 2012 or earlier--made by the father, Ken.  Probably not as neutral as the newer models from his son.