As if there weren't enough reasons to love the Shindo Cortese already
 

I don't need to repeat how much in audio-love I am with my Shindo Cortese. I can't imagine what would take its place. But here's another bonus: I play it an average of 4 hours/day (more weekdays less week-ends) ... and I've been doing so for 3 years ... ON THE SAME SET OF TUBES!

4 hours/day * 365 * 3 ~= 4 * 1,000 ~= 4,000 hours ... and the F2s are going as strong as ever!

I am about 40% into the conservative life of the F2s (10,000 hours) but some people/reviews are saying that they can easily go to 50,000hrs.

In the past, with other power tubes, I was watching my usage and worrying about using them up to quickly ... saving them for "special occasions". But on many days, I turn on the Cortese after breakfast and turn it off before dinner. Heck, I even use it to listen to Pandora.

Bottom line, even if the F2 tubes may be a bit expensive ($4-500/pair?) and not too easily available, even at the lower end of the range (10,000hrs) their cost comes to $0.05/hr.

Sounds fantastic and low-maintenance. Can't ask for more!

Alberto

Alberto, I still have a NOS sealed in a box F2a tubes but my Cortese is now gone. Let me know if you ever need them. :yes: Probably not for a long time my friend :D

No worries brother, I have a dozen or so. By the way they only average $125-$175 new, it's not that they are rare, just not used in many applications.

Trying to figure out where else I can retrofit some. The F2A is Vf 6.3 Volts / If 2 Ampere vs KT88 Vf 6.3 Volts / If 1.6 Ampere.

So glad You are happy with your system.

Thank you Serge. I appreciate that. I have spare pair too, but at this rate we'll both be really hard of hearing and probably senile before we need them :-).

I posted this because it just hit me today that this is the first time in owning a lot of tube gear that I am not "babying" my amp or worrying about leaving it on all day.

Alberto

Matt posted a picture a couple of weeks ago featuring some of the spare tubes he keeps on hand. He must have at least 50 F2a's.

Do you mean you are going to modify your Shindo amp to accept kt88?

Thank you John. It took a couple of decades and more $ thank I care to think about, but when I heard the Cortese for the first time, I heard the sound that I had had in my head for years. As I've said on other occasions, it's as if Ken Shindo voiced the Cortese just for me.

Alberto

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the forum and interested in getting a pair of Shindo Lab pre and power after reading the terrific posts from this forum.

I am able to purchase a used VR preamp , however, there are no local dealers in my country, I have to rely on all your kind suggestions and experience to assist me to acquire the right Shindo Lab power amp.

Will the Cortese F2a able to drive my 93db Tannoy Kensington SE, or another power amp is more suitable.

I greatly appreciate all your suggestions. Thank you.

spacemickey... Welcome to AA! :wave:

Hi Ivan...thank you.