Do Shindo preamps live up to the legend?

Gopher · « **on:** 20 Jan 2011, 01:31 am »

I've read a lot of very positive feedback on Shindo products, which are quite compelling to read but say little about how they sound. Interestingly, they all seem to allude to a deep sense of musicality, rightness and emotion missed in many other high dollar amps/preamps. This is a quality I have been chasing for some time and I feel my work in progress system is rapidly approaching a medium/long term completion point.

Although I've been living happily with my Eastern Electric preamp with PSU upgrades for half a decade, I must admit the Shindo Aurieges has piqued my curiosity. I've seen a few of them going for ~$2000 lately which is more than I can spend at the moment, but not out of reach for the future.

What do you guys think?

FWIW, these are my amplifiers: http://grantfidelity.com/site/Shuguang_classis_S200MK_S845MK_SET_amplifier_set

Zu Soul Superflys
Wywire cabling
Well Tempered Reference w/ Zu 103
Jasmine LP2.0SE (cinemag SUT in the works)
Eastern Electric DAC with Bolder Cable upgrades

Would an Aurieges be at home with this equipment?

morganc · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Jan 2011, 02:05 am »

I would pm Paul Folbrecht and get his opinion. He is the one who sold his Shindo yesterday. I thought about buying it just for a trial. He takes great care of his equipment and has lots of experience under his belt I do believe.

There is also Pitch Perfect Audio here in SF and they are Shindo dealers and frequently have used and demos online. They would be a good resource for you. I have been browsing the Shindo lineup also. Would love to hear what direction you go. I have several new projects in the pipeline myself. Too bad we live 3000 miles apart!

Gopher · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Jan 2011, 02:20 am »

I think his Montille is what sold, his Auregies was still available a couple hours ago. I'd actually dropped him a line after posting it to clarify whether it had the MM phono section. He responded quickly, but I didn't think his opinion would be the most objective as a seller.

I'm kinda toying with buying it to try myself. His price seems to be at or slightly below where I've been seeing them go lately so it probably wouldn't be much, if any, loss if it didn't work out... I guess my biggest fear is falling in love with it as I need to space out my 2011 purchases a little.

davidrs · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Jan 2011, 02:49 am »

They move. No financial downside of significance.

Do it. You know you want to!

kgturner · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Jan 2011, 02:52 am »

Looks like he cancelled his listing.

Kevin T

doclamb · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Jan 2011, 03:02 am »

"Do Shindo preamps live up to the legend? "
In my opinion yes they do. I have the Aurieges MM and 6V6 Montille. I've also heard the Monbrison, Massetto and the Vosne-Romanee preamps all on the Montille. The Shindo preamps get better as you move up the ladder but the Shindo house sound remains the same which is the ability to convey the emotion, timing, flow, nuance and musical nature of the recording. There are many good preamps available today but none that I've found that sound as good to me as Shindo does in my room with my speakers.

TONEPUB · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Jan 2011, 04:17 am »

No idea, they will only let Art Dudley review their gear...

Gopher · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 01:11 am »

LOL! I have noticed that there are very few pro reviews offered as well Tonepub, although in fairness Dagogo did get their hands on a few offerings too.

I did expect to hear a little more actual feedback by now as they are supposed to be audio icons... Interesting.

I'm going to go ahead and listen to the new Eastern Electric Avant preamp in my own rig and see what a higher end pre brings to the table. In the meantime I'll probably keep my eyes open for a used Aurieges-L for $2k or less to buy and try for my own education.

Audioclyde · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 03:01 am »

I've always wanted to hear a Shindo myself, but fat chance in Tulsa, OK, unless I do during travels or buy & try myself--the descriptions I read of the 'house' sound seem right up my alley.

All the used ones I've seen offered never have remote--I'll show my ignorance, is remote (even just volume) even an option?

Thanks,

Randy

Gopher · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 04:01 am »

I don't believe remote is an option for shindo's preamps.

Would be neat to have one, but I've been living with the minimax long enough that I can do without.

Stercom · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 04:10 am »

A number of years ago I owned both the Eastern Electric MiniMax preamp and amp - which is very good, high value equipment. I now own mostly Shindo gear. As should be expected, its a big step up from the Eastern Electric. The Shindo sound is very organic and balanced. You will not go away from a Shindo audition and say thats the best bass I ever heard or the treble was pristine. You will say "that was a great performance." It you are into music and not just sound (any system can make sound) then Shindo gear is for you.

blutto · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 04:51 am »

...do Shindo products live up to the legend...in a word, absolutely yes...but there are a few other Japanese heirloom lines that I have heard that are in the same league....MacTone, Airtight and Leben...all have that organic wholeness thingee out the wazoo, though all with a slightly different flavour...

Cheers

blutto

doclamb · « **Reply #12 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 10:08 am »

Quote from: doclamb on 20 Jan 2011, 03:02 am

"Do Shindo preamps live up to the legend? "
In my opinion yes they do. I have the Aurieges MM and 6V6 Montille. I've also heard the Monbrison, Massetto and the Vosne-Romanee preamps all on the Montille. The Shindo preamps get better as you move up the ladder but the Shindo house sound remains the same which is the ability to convey the emotion, timing, flow, nuance and musical nature of the recording. There are many good preamps available today but none that I've listened to sound as good to me in my room with my speakers.

Gopher · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 05:54 pm »

Quote from: Stercom on 21 Jan 2011, 04:10 am

A number of years ago I owned both the Eastern Electric MiniMax preamp and amp - which is very good, high value equipment. I now own mostly Shindo gear. As should be expected, its a big step up from the Eastern Electric. The Shindo sound is very organic and balanced. You will not go away from a Shindo audition and say thats the best bass I ever heard or the treble was pristine. You will say "that was a great performance." It you are into music and not just sound (any system can make sound) then Shindo gear is for you.

The push I needed. I'm picking up a local Aurieges-L tomorrow in Manhatten for a price I couldn't refuse.

If this works out, I think I'm done component juggling... scary thought--what else will I do to fill my days.

davidrs · « **Reply #14 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 06:16 pm »

Congratulations.

Wonderful choice.

Gopher · « **Reply #15 on:** 22 Jan 2011, 02:01 am »

Thanks! I hope it is a suitable match for my amplifiers despite its very high output impedance. We shall see though, I guess. I'm driving into Manhattan to pick her up first thing in the morning.

sunnydaze · « **Reply #16 on:** 22 Jan 2011, 03:41 am »

Quote from: blutto on 21 Jan 2011, 04:51 am

...do Shindo products live up to the legend...in a word, absolutely yes...but there are a few other Japanese heirloom lines that I have heard that are in the same league....MacTone, Airtight and Leben...all have that organic wholeness thingee out the wazoo, though all with a slightly different flavour...

Cheers

blutto

Yep, that's the Air Tight rep alright. It is what inspired me to buy the ATC-1 preamp. Maybe I expected too much. While it was very good, I did not find it to have that super liquid organic quality and dense musicality. In this regard, I think my JuicyMusic Blueberry Xtreme (which I owned at the same time) did a better job. It was close but overall I'd say I preferred the Blueberry for its wonderful fat tone, harmonic structure, and downright musicality.

Gopher · « **Reply #17 on:** 22 Jan 2011, 10:57 pm »

Picked it up today. Very pleased off the bat. Been listening with a buddy for many hours and I think this will be in my rig for a while.

Sunnydaze,

I think you'll like what you hear in my rig tomorrow.

morganc · « **Reply #18 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 12:13 am »

Quote from: Gopher on 22 Jan 2011, 10:57 pm

Picked it up today. Very pleased off the bat. Been listening with a buddy for many hours and I think this will be in my rig for a while.

Sunnydaze,

I think you'll like what you hear in my rig tomorrow.

You're killing me man! I'm gonna have to fly across the country to check out your combo. I have been checking out the Shindo myself. With that great deal you got on the 845's, you are pretty set with a great system at an amazing price......What do you use for your source?

sunnydaze · « **Reply #19 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 12:38 am »

Quote from: Gopher on 22 Jan 2011, 10:57 pm

Picked it up today. Very pleased off the bat. Been listening with a buddy for many hours and I think this will be in my rig for a while.

Sunnydaze,

I think you'll like what you hear in my rig tomorrow.

Hey man....you know my love affair with 845 SET, so I'm sure I will!