Tube Research Labs Dude vs. Shindo Labs preamps

I'm a Shindo convert. Yep, they are not cheap (Darn Yen-$ conversion rate) but (and I know it sounds like a cliche), Shindo preamps just sound more like music to me than any other preamp I've tried. My Vosne-Romanee is the heart of my music system and it's nice not to have a twinge of upgradeitis (other than maybe for another Shindo).

Yes, it took more than a little bit of planning and saving to afford what I wanted, but I don't at all regret making the purchase. The craftsmanship (both internal and external) of the product is really something special.

Sibelius, I had an opportunity to audition the Vosne-Romanee when I was in the market for a preamp, it is just FABULOUS in every way.

I've learned there are no free lunches in life and you do get what you paid for.

Knghifi, so what did you end up buying?

Silbelius, I share mirror sentiments about the Dude. It injects a fluidity and ease that I believe is a derivative of Paul's proprietary tube regulated power supply and essentially unlimited bandwidth. Most pre-amps I have listened to (in my system and others) compress dynamics. The music seems to collapse and become rather boxy and small sounding. This phenomenon drove me to experiment with removing the pre-amp from the chain. The best, most wide-open and live sounding piece I owned prior to the Dude was the Granite Audio 657 which was a tubed CDP with an output stage. It put most pre-amps I heard to shame in that regards with the exception of the Dude. This ferrari-like behavior does not sacrifice musicality. The Dude is also supremely musical.

If I am not mistaken, Knghifi owns a VAC pre-amp. I am interested to hear why he went with the VAC despite the Shindo "being FABULOUS in every way." I presume it was due to an impedance/system matching issue or long ICs. I know the TOTL VAC has an output transformer to deal with impedance matching. An interesting and arguable approach.

Knghifi, there are certainly no free lunches in life, but in hi end audio, you rarely get what you pay for IMO. Why do you think Audiogon becomes an audio purgatory for many folks with endless disappointment and buying and selling, buying and selling....

Well I suppose purgatory is better than addiction.