Shindo advice

My first Shindo preamp was the Masseto and it sounded better to me than any of my previous preamps (Lamm L2 and LL2, Wytech Opal, Hovland HP100). All of which are very good preamps. I did trade up to the Vosne-Romanee and was suprised how much better it is than the Masseto. Same basic sound but more. I expect that there is a similar difference from Monbrison to Masseto. BTW, I agree with Sbayne regarding Matt at Pitch Perfect.

Thanks again everyone. On the Joule LA300, I saw that Jud was running a special $7100 price and it is enticing. I just became enamored with a Shindo before he came out with it. I'm also attracted to the one box solution on line/phono. On the other hand, my phono runs off the tube rectified power supply in the Joule linestage and I could then keep my phono, which is the most recent MkV and sounds heavenly. My experience with Joule pre's is that they have always been a tad rolled on top and plummy on the bottom end (and resist rolling...)and which is why I am looking for my next pre. Bobheinatz, if you would, do you have any general opinons on the LA300 versus the Monbrison, just in their types of sound, even if its only a cursory opinion?

On Matt at Pitch Perfect, I have only heard very good comments on him. Alas, I am a spoiled former TAS/Ultimate Audio reviewer who now always buys used, so I'm sure that his time would be better spent with paying customers, which is the way it should be. When my book gets published and I'm on Oprah, then...Petrus retail, fedex'd overnight, here I come!!

Asa.

I heard the Monbrison in a system that I was not familiar with but the system was very musical. In comparing the LA300 vs. Monbrison since it was two completely different systems I am not sure my opinion would be worth much. Shindo now has a great following in the US, go for it and if you don't like it just sell it. BTW if you are still looking for speakers take a look at KCS Loudspeakers the value is outstanding.

Thanks Bobh, I understand about the opinion.

Then, what do you think of the LA100Mk3's versus the LA300? I haven't heard any comments on the LA300 and would be interested.

KCS? Hmm, new to me. Is this Kelonik Cinema? If so, website looks like they are geared towards HT applications. On the WAF, I don't listen to my wife much on these things, but I don't want to torture her either!

I've been thinking about Audio note speakers, the ones Art Dudley runs, or maybe some Devore 8's or 9's. Just haven't settled on an idea yet. I will be running an 8-10W SET, so there is that. And I'm very, very demanding about spatial decay and expansiveness, harmonics, voice and involvement. Others like accurate; I like gorgeous. It must be a beauty-machine...

Any ideas/comments?

Thanks again.

I'll bet you'll miss the remote :-).

I have the Joule LA150/ops-1 and I too am looking to replace them with the Monbrison. Unfortunately, and I may have misunderstood Matt, only the Masseto and above have a tape loop. That's probably not a big deal for most people, but at this time I own Merlins and the BAM sounds best connected to the tape out.

By the way all these people who have traded up, you can find their previous Shindo preamps listed on the Perfect Pitch Website. I've only seen Auriges listed. Please don't beat me to the first used Monbrison to be listed on this site ;-).