shindo aurieges ....

I like the Shindo Aurieges, but I think there are better values out there. The Modwright LS-100, and the TRL Dude would, in my opinion, be better bang for buck.

I've been a bit unfair to the Shindo Aurieges. It is certainly one of the better preamplifiers on the market. It particularly excels at mid-range tonal beauty. But what it doesn't do so without giving up something, and that something is transparency, clarity and detail. On the other hand, it's full bodied and beautiful, and by all measures you would say that it sounds musical. It sounds like what you would expect a very good tube preamplifier to sound. But tube as in tube euphony, not tube as in tube transparency -- an old school tube component as opposed to what we might call a modern tube component.

As I understand, as you move up the Shindo lineup, the more expensive Shindos give you progressively more of the goods without giving up on the beautiful Shindo sound. But at the entry level, and at $4000 list price, the Shindo Aurieges would not be my first choice.

As for Devore speakers, I have no doubt that Devore speakers sound great with Shindo amps. That's Shindo amplifiers of course which presumably also imply a pairing with Shindo preamplifiers for synergy across the product lines.

What should you buy? You should buy whatever sounds great to you. John Devore loves his speakers with Shindo, but you might not. Which Devore speakers do you have? Efficiency and impedance may eliminate some types of amplifiers from consideration.

Speaking only in generalities, many solid state amplifiers do not have a high input impedance. Once again, speaking in generalities, the Shindo Aurieges with an output impedance of 5000 ohms will need careful system matching.

As a rule of thumb, the input impedance should be at least 20x the output impedance of the source component. You can, of course, get a buffer, but that's yet another component which may add its own coloration.

The Leben CS600 versus the Pass INTA30. Given what I know of their house sound I'd say that they're totally different. I think you would be happy with either.

I haven't heard the INTA30, but as I understand, it's based on the X30.5, which I have indeed heard and like very much. Pick one, buy it used, and if you really don't like it, get the Leben later.

For what it's worth, I have an LFD Zero LE MKIV integrated amplifier. It is wonderful. There is one available on Audiogon right now for a great price. I bought mine new and don't regret it.

> I do not understand how or why a number of audiophiles
> prioritize extreme detail and clarity over musicality and tone.

Some prioritize tone and musicality over detail and clarity. Some do it the other way around.

But worse, some want both -- which I think is difficult to achieve and expensive. As if it wasn't expensive enough already.