what should i keep, shindo or mcintosh

As others are saying, you aren't hearing the Shindo to its full capacity. However I think it goes beyond just the wires you are using. Your entire system just isn't like 100% of other Shindo user systems seen on Audiogon or elsewhere.

All of your other gear is screaming to be matched with the Mac stuff.

So if it was me and I just loved the Shindo sound, then I would be thinking about a piecemeal overhaul of my system.

You don't seem too interested in that, so I vote keep the Mac.

I must confess that I have been underwhelmed whenevery I have listened to Shindo components.

Banklette, I think if you like dynamics and slam, the Shindo sound isn't for you. But if you crave tonal accuracy and a detailed but musical sound, Shindo is the cat's meow. My 15WPC Shindo amps simply don't do it for me for rock or large scale orchestral works, but they really shine with small chamber pieces and jazz, especially the tone of horns - trumpet and sax for some reason.

i would agree. the shindo is a great piece. rare old parts. its a talk piece that sound wonderfull. but the amps do not work for anything really here in the states. because they lack punch. i use all audience eau24 the new upgraded wires for speakers and interconnects.

Shindo is quite capable of incredible dynamics and "punch", just not with mismatched speakers. System matching is always critical, especially when using carefully tuned gear like Shindo. If you're hearing the tonal accuracy and a musical sound but not the dynamics- its quite possibly set up (not using the correct Shindo cables, racks etc.) or speaker/amp matching.