shindo vs. atma-sphere

In your post you say you like the Shindo sound.Then your question asks "which gives better sound"
You answered your own question.
To you Shindo sounds better.
To others Atma-sphere is the choice.
Are you going to use a MM or MC cartridge.
I happen to enjoy the Shindo sound but the gain in the phono stage is low for many Moving coils and a SUT may be needed.
The correct choice would be what sounds best to you.Not what sounds best to others.

I have no experience with Shindo and just recently heard an Atmasphere and thought very highly of it. My all time favorite pre is the SMC VRE1-b but it's just not in reach at this time. I no nothing about the Atmasphere phono in their pre (They do not make a stand alone phono unit) but I have heard Ralph the owner of Atmasphere is a big time analog fan so I'd assume it would very good.
You are right about Atmasphere is updating their gear all the time and offer those updates at very reasonable rates, that's why I'm leaning towards their gear.

Have not heard Shindo, but agree Atmasphere is good place for a vinyl lover to be. Have heard phono through atmasphere amp, but do not recall what pre-amp was used. Can't imagine anything vinyl related that says atmasphere on it not sounding top notch.