[Mason.jd]

Am I missing out by not auditioning a Shindo preamp and amp if I am looking for a different tube amp?  Are they worth it compared to Air Tight or other  options?
I have never heard a Shindo amp. Are they that much different than AirTight or other japanese low watt tube amps like Phasemotion, Luxman MQ-300?

[mick wolfe]

 I'd have to say Shindo products are definitely worth an audition. The problem would be where you'd have to go to audition a full Shindo system. There's only a handful of dealers scattered about in the US. Whether you'd prefer Shindo to the other products mentioned would be strictly up to your ear. IMHO, teamed with an efficient tube friendly speaker, Shindo would be hard to beat.

[FullRangeMan]

Am I missing out by not auditioning a Shindo preamp and amp if I am looking for a different tube amp?  Are they worth it compared to Air Tight or other  options?
I have never heard a Shindo amp. Are they that much different than AirTight or other japanese low watt tube amps like Phasemotion, Luxman MQ-300?

AirTight are much better built than Shindo, both are expensive.
The Shindo doesn't have valve cooling, the tubes are located inside the chassis, and the chassis sheet metal is very thin and not of aluminum, also not easy change the tubes.

[toocool4]

If you’re able to audition them, I’d definitely recommend doing so that way you can decide for yourself whether they’re worth it.

[mick wolfe]

Having owned a Shindo Aurieges MM for over a decade, I have to dispute the earlier comments. The build quality is superb for one. Wiring is all point to point and the layout is quite orderly. The chassis is solidly built and robust. Tubes are easily accessible and properly ventilated. The more critical tubes are further isolated by using spring mounted tube sockets. IOW, attention to detail is impeccable. Like multiple other tube pre-amp designs, the tubes are inside the chassis and as already mentioned, properly ventilated. In the end, what one gets is a sonically superb hand-built precision product as opposed to a product that simply rolled off an assembly line.

[FullRangeMan]

Having owned a Shindo Aurieges MM for over a decade, I have to dispute the earlier comments. The build quality is superb for one. Wiring is all point to point and the layout is quite orderly. The chassis is solidly built and robust. Tubes are easily accessible and properly ventilated. The more critical tubes are further isolated by using spring mounted tube sockets. IOW, attention to detail is impeccable. Like multiple other tube pre-amp designs, the tubes are inside the chassis and as already mentioned, properly ventilated. In the end, what one gets is a sonically superb hand-built precision product as opposed to a product that simply rolled off an assembly line.

This is the pre-amp in question Shindo Aurieges MM 2016 mentioned as well ventilated.

[Tyson]

That is a stupid design.  Heat is the enemy of electronics.  That thing is going to cook.

[seikosha]

Do preamp tubes really get that hot?

[opnly bafld]

Do preamp tubes really get that hot?

No
Maybe ones with 30 tubes.

I know of one brand that has no ventilation on the top plate (on purpose) and yet there are many that have been in daily use for a couple decades with no issues.

[Tyson]

No
Maybe ones with 30 tubes.

I know of one brand that has no ventilation on the top plate (on purpose) and yet there are many that have been in daily use for a couple decades with no issues.

That's like saying that smoking is fine because I know a few people that smoked and made it to 90.  It's true, but also a whole lot of unnecessary risk. 

[FullRangeMan]

No
Maybe ones with 30 tubes.

I know of one brand that has no ventilation on the top plate (on purpose) and yet there are many that have been in daily use for a couple decades with no issues.

Your post works on that current US winter.
Unfortunately my area not tube friendly, 47*C are 116*F.

[opnly bafld]

That's like saying that smoking is fine because I know a few people that smoked and made it to 90.  It's true, but also a whole lot of unnecessary risk.

Not even close. 

[opnly bafld]

Your post works on that current US winter.
Unfortunately my area not tube friendly, 47*C are 116*F.

US has summer also and believe it or not people use tubes all year round.

[mick wolfe]

This is the pre-amp in question Shindo Aurieges MM 2016 mentioned as well ventilated.

The top on my Aurieges MM looks nothing like that pic. Mine has three vented areas over each tube set. That may be a line only version or simply a design change. Nonetheless, no problems with heat or failures in well over a decade of operation.

[mick wolfe]

FWIW, my Aurieges MM was bought in 2014. Strangely enough, the same year of Ken Shindo's passing. Replaced the phono tubes twice and most recently, the rectifier tube for the first time. The line tubes are the originals.

[FullRangeMan]

Do preamp tubes really get that hot?

Not in open air as in the regular table design, but a tube inside a box will get hot fast.

[seikosha]

Not in open air as in the regular table design, but a tube inside a box will get hot fast.

Manufacturers were using tubes in computers, TV’s, and table radios for decades all in small enclosed spaces that were barely vented, if at all.  It didn’t seem to be a problem back in the day.  Heck, you can still occasionally find old radios with original tubes and parts that still work.   While I’d be the first to say that ventilation is good, perhaps it’s not as big of a deal as we think?

[DaveC113]

Tubes actually have heaters in them, they MUST be hot to function. Preamp tubes don't even get that hot compared to power tubes, and you'll find plenty of amps with power tubes in the chassis too. The design decision to have tubes sticking out of the chassis has pros and cons, for a simple home system it may not matter as much, but the downside is they are not shielded by the chassis. It's mostly for looks and convenience, it can help with heat dissipation when required, maybe better for smaller chassis where there isn't as much space. The thought Shindo had no clue about any of this seems really odd and is likely nowhere close to the truth.

[fridays]

Why is the print so small