shindo vs. atma-sphere

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.

If you are using amplification with balanced inputs, especially if a balanced design internally, Atma-Sphere may well be your choice. Single ended equipment can be used very satisfactorily as well, as explained on the Atma-Sphere website.

Atma-Sphere designs with their 20-year rule always in mind: they expect their products to be used for at least 20 years before needing major service (for example, new capacitors). With that in mind, they choose parts and tubes that can reasonably be expected to be available -- or to have appropriate equivalents -- 20 years down the road. Long tube life is expected -- Ralph Karsten estimates at least 10,000 hours from the power tubes and 10-50,000 hours from the input/driver tubes. Atma-Sphere's two-year general warranty also covers the tubes for one full year, not just 90 days as is commonly seen.

Dealer disclosure.

i have yet to hear a fully updated atma-sphere; and the dealer doesn't have the mp3 which is in my budget (and small enough to fit my space).

the shindo i liked was within my budget - just.

I have heard both and both have been amongst some of the best sounding tube amps I have ever heard. I could easily live for the rest of my life with either (and a box of tubes).