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Shindo advice

I'm looking to upgrade from my long-time pre reference, a Joule LA200/ops-1, and have settled on a Shindo - either a Monbrison or Masseto. My question has to do with a lot of people I see on audiogon moving from the Monbrison to the Masseto, and fairly quickly. The obvious answer would be that they love their Monbrison and just want more. I know one can not go wrong with either, but we all know that there are sweet spots in every designer's line and I'm just wondering if its also because the Masseto is a big jump rather than an incremental one. Just curious.

Would also like to hear some more opinions on differences between Monbrison and Masseto.

Last,any opinions about me digging around for an older Catherine?

To get an idea of who I am, I run an all SET/nos tubed system with a TNT4/Graham/Cardas Heart analog rig. I sold my main speakers and am looking around, using my backup Spendor LS3/5As for now. Past speakers have been Quad US63s and ESP Concert Grands.

Thanks for the help.
asa
asa OP
662 posts
 
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.
dpe
60 posts
 
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 ;-).
dpe
60 posts
 
Asa,

If you're interested in the Audio Note AN-E/SPe HE speakers (which I love as well, but my rack is situated in the center of a 20ft long wall with entry doors on either side so corner placement is impossible) and you're considering the DeVore Gibbons or Nines, maybe you should wait until the DeVore Orangutans are released.
bobheinatz
724 posts
 
Asa,

KCS website is listed under manufacturers index. Believe me my KCS speakers just seem to be getting better and better each week. They are not geared toward TH applications. I have heard the Devores 8's & 9's and a couple of Audio Note speakers I don't remember the models but my KCS speakers at least in my system and tastes are the best I have heard under 20 grand. Check them out and give John a call. The cabinet and drivers are world class.
BTW I am also using a Air Tight 300b amp and the KCS speakers sound real sweet.
asa OP
662 posts
 
Bobh, I got the wrong KCS...they look very purist. Not much resale, I assume, but then again I'm looking for speakers for the long haul. I only see one model, the Seas Exotic, is that what you have?
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