Calling All Ex - Shindo Preamp Owners

Doesn't seem to be many ex-Shindo users because they hold onto them.

+1, @noromance

My ownership experience limited to Monbrison preamp and Mr. T. I held on to the preamp in hopes of building an all out Shindo system. IMO, that’s the only way to truly appreciate the Shindo sound which is divine. My only regret is that I didn’t pursue Shindo while it’s founder Mr. Ken Shindo was alive. He produced some of the best amps during his lifetime. The current production of amps are very limited thus making it bit challenging if you own non-field coil speakers. The used prices on Ken Shindo amps are ridiculously high not to mention lack of dealer support on used products. Their attitude is very discouraging as soon as they learn you did not buy from them.

I end up selling the Monbrison and bought Accuphase Class A Integrated which in my opinion is the next best thing to Shindo sound. The Accuphase synergy with my Tannoy Canterbury’s is simply magical :-)

Thanks @lalitk - appreciate the sharing. why do you say "The current production of amps are very limited thus making it bit challenging if you own non-field coil speakers." My impression (perhaps misimpression) that most Shindo owners today are not using field coil speakers.

@longinc

Shindo currently making two 300B amps (8W) and one CV391 push pull 20W amp. Now if you compare this lineup with past amps, you will know exactly why I meant by limited choices.

If I were to venture again into Shindo, my dream system would feature one of these mono blocks amps with Giscours or Vosne-Romanee :-)

F2A based Sinhonia,

Corton Charlemagne Q

Haut-Brion

Richebourg WE300B

Thanks @lalitk I see what you are saying!

Keeping their value well.

After 40yr experimenting with all kind of amps, now I am using Accuphase P-4500 and A-48 (Class A A-48 mostly in colder seasons, it generates some heat). Driving those with perfectly matched in a balanced way C-2420 pre., w/ AD-2820 phono. 

@westcoastaudiophile 

Do you feel P-4500 offers any compromises over A-48’s pure class A watts? 

I'm not an ex-Shindo owner, but I had my Monbrisson in the shop for a while to fix a transformer buzz and a general refurbishment after a little over 8 years.  While it was away I used a passive TVC unit (Prometheus) and was very surprised as to how good it sounded, to the point of considering selling my Monbrisson when it came back, especially since my hearing in my left ear has deteriorated to the point that I questioned whether I didn't need all this high-end equipment to enjoy my recordings.  But I got the Monbrisson back this week, and upon putting it back in my system I realized, even with my impaired hearing, what I had been missing (micro and macro-dynamics, spaciousness, a sense of "life" in the music, for lack of a better word) and why I (and many of us) find the Shindo sound so intoxicating. So I doubt it will be leaving my system anytime soon.

I'd say if you're thinking of replacing the Shindo, I'd suggest that you consider Jadis (I had a JP200 that I replaced with the Shindo to downsize my system, it was as lifelike but noisier), VAC and Lamm, of the brands I've heard, and Audio Note and maybe Atmasphere, of the brands I haven't heard.

@rcprince

Exactly my sentiments! I do miss the Shindo intoxicating sound too. May I know what is your rest of the system, like speakers and amp?

I have an EMM Labs XDS1 v.3 and Laufer Teknik Memory Player for digital sources, Basis Ovation vacuum TT/Graham Supreme/Air Tight analog source, VAC Phi 200 amp and Nola Micro Reference speakers (room is only 11x14, can't use bigger speakers), with a JL Labs Fathom F110 sub for the last octave of bass.  I actually don't use the phono stage of the Shindo (which is excellent), as I have a prototype of the Merrill Audio Jens phono stage made by its designer for me that is really something special.  The Shindo/VAC combination is quite good sonically, but the interface between the two requires me to use passive attenuators between them in order to be able to move the Shindo volume control to an optimal position, as below 8 o'clock the volume control has balance problems, as noted in some other threads.

@lalitk looked closely to find out difference btw two perfect amps, Accuphase A-48 is little bit warmer sounding, while P-4500 has deeper/stronger punch. Other-words, A-48 is better for classical/jazz records, and P-4500 is preferable for blues/rock.

@westcoastaudiophile 

Thank you for your feedback. I suspected just as much, the A-48 is my kind of amp but I wouldn’t mind bi-amping my E-650 with P-4500. 

Thanks @rcprince for sharing your experience of the Monbrisson and the other preamps that you have tried. Btw, is your Monbrisson the current generation (with the output transformer) or the previous generation?

It's an old generation, circa around 2012 or earlier--made by the father, Ken.  Probably not as neutral as the newer models from his son.

Whilst this is esteemed company as I listen to this review 

I went fully balanced with Audio Research with tube output Ref CD9 into the SS combo LS10SE and D240 MKII. Awesome resolution from the quad DAC’s in the CDP. So a fully balanced channel from source to speakers (L’Instrument by Viking Acoustics.

A different path, that’s all.

Thanks @johnread57 for sharing your experience. Much appreciated. Personally, I have moved on to Dartzeel power amp, EMIA autoformer (passive preamp), and Audible Illusions M3B. 

I owned the Messeto then later the Vosne-Romanee. I wound up moving to an all Jadis system. Back then, 15 years ago, there were very few dealers And they were so finicky in how they did business, also the company being so small and not letting you buy extra tubes made me feel insecure about the product. I did like the Messeto better that the Vosne-Romanee which was a disappointment as well. Therefore I decided to give it up rather that buy their amps and the whole system. I did buy the wires tho. Sold it all basically because of Shindo company policies at the time.