shindo product introductions
 

To me it seems like new shindo products whether it be components or speakers seem to come out of nowhere with little or no advance knowledge. For example the new, smaller shindo, full range speaker. Does the retailer and distributer have no idea what is around the corner? Or does Ken shindo keep it very close to himself? If we had advance knowledge of what he was working no we could plan for future upgrades more easily, any thoughts?

I know what you mean Lowens – I spent a good part of the year auditioning speakers for my system (The petite Latours were just a bit out of my price range and perhaps a bit too big for my room) I ended up settling on the Auditorium Solovox. I’m sure that if Jonathan Halpern had any inkling that the Lafites were being developed he would have mentioned this, (we had pretty extensive conversations on suitable speakers) so I get the impression that even he is surprised by the sudden appearance of Shindo’s latest offerings. While that may indeed be frustrating for all of us, I am very glad that Ken Shindo isn’t compromising his products by trying to meet a deadline or merely creating a product because there happens to be a specific market niche. Inspiration can’t be planned and perfection can’t be rushed.
My story has (hopefully) a happy ending I was able to cancel my Solovox order and have put a deposit down on the Lafites.

Doug

Great decision! I have no doubt that you will enjoy them immensely. Congratulations in advance!:thumbsup:

shindoug - do you mind me asking what the retail price is on the Lafites?

Lowens. My quoted price was $19,995. Half the size and half the cost of the Latours .... but hopefully not half the enjoyment.

Doug

Doug - congrats on the Lafites, they look very nice. What made you choose the Lafites over the Solovox? Arent the Solovox in a different price category altogether at around $11k? Thats a considerable jump up market to the $20k. How big is your room, and do you have any concerns that the rest of your system might be outshined by the Lafites, leading to more upgrades?

Lowens

My room size is about 11.5 x 20 with 8ft ceilings. This should be a pretty good size for Lafites (probably a bit tight for 16 inch Latours though) And yes, the Lafites are about twice the price of the Solovox.

Back in May, I had considered other more expensive speakers: I had briefly thought about the Petite Latours but Jonathan Halpern felt they were probably too big for my room (and at 28k they were a bit outside my budget) Shindo had made a speaker around the 8” Western Electric 755 driver (with a similar box to the Lafite) It was delicious – but it too was 28k and a bit too steep for me. The larger DeVores were probably too big and I had not seen the O 96 at that time - but I didn’t need to because the Solovox were wonderful.

So while I’m waiting for my Solovox to be built, lo and behold, the Lafites appear (This is why I said previously that I think even JH the importer was unaware that the Lafites were in the pipeline, because he certainly would have mentioned them while I was discussing my speaker choices with him) So, eventhough the Lafite purchase was quite impulsive, because obviously I haven’t heard them, it kind of fit the picture for what I was looking for earlier. Shindo hasn’t gone wrong yet so I’m going purely on reputation here (and even the best of auditions is a crapshoot unless you can actually demo the speakers in your own room - which would be tough to arrange with a rare Shindo speaker) It was also something you said in a previous thread “What next” about having the foresight to look down the road and get the piece you want to end up with. It’s a lot more economical to buy the dream piece once instead of a bunch of pieces that you’re continually upgrading (The Shindo upgrade program aside) And while the Lafites probably do outshine the Aurieges and Montille a bit, I’ve got a feeling I’m not going to be disappointed with the combo. Also, it will be easier to "afford" the smaller incremental electronic and cartridge upgrades than trying to raise the large sum needed to get Shindo speakers down the road. And what fun it will be “growing into” the Lafites

Doug

Hi Doug,

I'm sure you will love the Lafites. :yes: The Aurieges/Montille will not outshine the Lafites, not to worry, and the speakers will be ideal for your room size.

To throw a little light on this quote:

There is no "Shindo upgrade program" per se, but, if you are talking about a dealer taking in gear for 'credit' towards other models, yes, some dealers do this - some don't (or can't$). It's totally on an individual dealer basis. I happen to take trade ups, a term I've been using a while, toward the next model up. I can't speak for what other dealers do..

Sincerely,
Matt

Matt

I may have been a bit cavalier when using the term "Shindo Upgrade Program" This doesn't really do justice to the very generous trade-ins that you and Steve at In Living Stereo provide (I can't speak for other dealers who I am not familiar with) This certainly allows for many of us getting into systems which would otherwise be out of our reach.

cheers

Doug

This full trade in value that Matt offers is a great great service and the dream of any audiophile.

It looks like Shindo San has redesigned (at least the exterior) of a few of his pieces. For example, the Aurieges has gone to a single chassis design with some decorative silk screening around the model name. I'm not sure if I like it. Check out the Shindo site for details.

Mikeyc - I am with you I dont like the new look, its too traditional looking, I much rather prefer the previous versions much less fussy look. Now when you view it that silk screen sticks out like a sore thumb. Perhaps shindo can delete the silk screen if the customer wishes so.

A lot of recent changes to the looks of the Shindo line:

Aurieges: Wide single box with fake silk screen window on front
Aurieges L: High single box with fake silk screen window on front
Vosne Romanee: Added silkscreen around window
Massetto: Added silkscreen around window
Cortese: F2 tubes are now separated rather than side by side

I preferred the looks of the previous version of all of the above.

As long as the sound hasn't changed all is fine of course :yes:

Dittto! It is nothing compared to the new mc275!!

The changes to the Cortese look to be more than aesthetic as there is also another pair of driver tubes, so could be a change in driver tube or circuit change

Also, my Masseto is about 4 or 5 months old and it has the silkscreen window, so I don't think that's a recent change

Where did you hear the new Haut-Brion? Very curious since I am running a H-B with my Devore Super 8. Love the look of my H-B!

Is it that the Cortese has an extra pair of driver tubes or simply that the driver tubes are not concealed within the chassis?

[QUOTE=Plink;215868]Also, there was a Shindo Lafite in previous production:

This older Shindo Lafite speaker looks virtually identical to the Auditorium 23 Rondo, but obviously the driver is different. Anyone have any info on what driver this is that Shindo are using in the Lafites?

Yes, love to see a picture of it.

I wondering if not using a NOS chassis might change the sound? :scratch2:

I purchased my Haut Brion (original version) without hearing it and was draw to its looks. I always felt it was one of the most beautiful designs in the shindo lineup. It looks very balanced with the plasitic faceplate in the middle, tubes behind. The 300B amp is also visually amazing with that glorious tube in full view.

I see from the Shindo site that the Lafite is 8 ohm, 30W max, 20cm field coil, 18kg weight. Wow that is one light design. The field coil driver appears to be set back into the cabinet, I wonder how this effects the width of the sound? Does the design limit the soundstage width in anyway?

There is a photo of the insides of the old version on 6moons which shows only 2 input tubes

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/s...rtese_open.jpg

Plink: I'd also love to see a pic of the new Haut Brion..

Very nice.. Thanks for the photos Plink :thumbsup:

hmm, I beg to differ, I think the old one version with the window was much better looking.

I agree I like the window better.

Hey, where did Plink and the Pic's go?

hmm!

Odd - very odd. Anyone capture the photos. Who asked for them to be removed?

very strange...

Dave

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

BIG BROTHER Shhhhh ...:spy:

Hi guys, since the other photo(s) went awol, I figured I would attach a photo of the new Haut Brion from my archives.

-M

I own the original Haut Brion (circa 2008) and it is one beautiful amp, with the clear front view to the tubes. Very elegant looking. Personally I cant say the same for the new HB, looks too tank like, heavy set, lacking in character, but I am sure not sound...I know Mr. Shindo is an artist, and most of the time no one knows what he is up to as far as introductions, but most fabulous sound (a given) and good looks. Surely customers perceptions/views are communicated back to him.

Some of his new designs are killer good looking such as the Lagrange monos (wow!) and the Croton-Charlemagne.

Thanks Matt!

Thanks for the pic Matt! have you had one in store yet? any thoughts on the revisions?

http://www.shindo-laboratory.co.jp/English/F2a1.jpg

A new Cortese ? :angel:

Nope, not yet.. hopefully getting one soon for demonstration.

-M

Gentlemen/women, there is no "big brother" element...it is a nicely run forum here.

I took the photos down and removed my posts. Honestly, I thought it a tad crass to ask for photos and then immediately infer that the amp does not look good as a prior version. In retrospect, people are going to have their opinions as did I...so it cannot be a legitimate annoyance for me.

I think both look good but I strongly prefer the new one. The new one evokes a feeling of gilded age Paris and having visited Paris several times and loving it, that is a great feeling. If one is going for an homage to France of a certain era as it appears Shindo is doing (even more so than in the past) with some of his newer creations, the new design is highly appropriate. With the tube cage installed, the amp just brings back memories of Metro stations or the Eiffel Tower.

It is similar to the newer Shindo Montille in this respect. Although, the newer Montille has even more of a Art Nouveau flourish and looks even more impressive. Now that is one spectacular looking amp (with the tube cage installed).

Reyle... Welcome To AA!!!


:welcome2.:

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...n/L1000159.jpg


Cortese...:music: