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Shindo Masseto w Koetsu .3mv output

Hoping to get opinions on whether the MC stage of a Shindo Masseto has enough gain to produce strong dynamics from a Koetsu Rosewood Sig Platinum cartridge  (.3mv output). Or would I need a SUT?

 

Bonus question: any opinions on whether I would get better overall sound using an Aurieges pre (newer version) w an Hommage SUT through its MM section, or by playing straight into the MC section of a Masseto? The cost of each of these setups could be close to one another on the used market. When I say better sound, my priorities are a very organic "you are there midrange", lots of instrumental textures, realistic soundstage cues, and overall emotional impact of the music.

 

Thanks very much for any thoughts. My table is a Sota Nova vacuum and tonearm is Jelco TK-850 10". Amps are Quicksilver v4 monoblocks.

montaldo

Showing 3 responses by lalitk

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,091 posts
 

+1, @jperry

The Masseto is a much better pre/phono than entry level Aurieges. If you still looking at options, also consider used Monbrison Pre from Ken Shindo era, which has an outstanding MC phono stage. I used my Monbrison with HANA Umami Red / SME 15AV TT. 

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,091 posts
 

@montaldo

Indeed, Masseto is superior to old Monbrison. The point of bringing Monbrison in my previous post was to consider Monbrison over Aurieges. If I have an opportunity to grab Masseto, I wouldn’t think twice. It is my belief that newer revised Monbrison is better than Masseto.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,091 posts
 

@charles1dad

I did own Shindo pre paired with a bespoke 300B mono amp. Perhaps the best pre till date I’ve experienced in my system. Ken Shindo was a genius in connecting its listeners intimately to music through his masterpieces. I wish, I would have never sold the Monbrison but my plans kinda fell through. In case of his amps, I felt high efficiency speakers (97dB>) or the ones with field coil tech is the only way to experience full impact of Shindo delicious sound. Now that I’ve heard field coil speakers, the desire to put together all Shindo system with Giscours Pre and WE 300B Single Limited amp getting stronger as each day goes by :-)

As to Aurender sound characteristics, I’ll comment on what’ve consistently heard regardless of downstream components cause in 10 plus years of owning Aurender, I’ve been through lot of components. The sound of Aurender is incredibly faithful, airy with reverberation around the recording space. You’re immersed with musicality that has a larger than life sound.

Aurender is one of the best designed and engineered audio component that I’ve the pleasure to use and experience. Pair it with a high quality DAC and Switch and you’re in for a royal treat.

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