I wrote to Bob Satin. Will see, what he got to say.

I see a lot of talk about how to make Shindo work in ways its not meant to work. So rather than try to answer all these questions, I'll just say make some statements to try to set things straight. Just about everything in this thread is wrong. Sorry, don't mean to sound like a jerk.

Shindo is a system with very specific goals and mates. Hum is not the VR's fault, they don't hum. Cables cause hum, component placement causes hum.

I have a few very good dealers that can help sort these systems into something true to Shindo's vision, the rest is just the usual mix and match with varying degrees of success. Why buy a Shindo preamp and not use it as it was designed? Its a bit baffling to me. I see incompatible speakers, rooms(not so easy to fix), turntables, racks and amps. In the case of the photos provided, a Shindo 301 has no chance of working on that rack. Lots of talk about using other non-system matched pieces being suggested. To what end?

Shindo system should have high impedance, high efficiency speakers. (In the case of a Shindo amp, I would not use AG speakers as they seem to have some back EMF issues which makes them sound better with lower output impedance amps- just my personal experience) Matching preamp, amp and cabling. Shindo cartridge (or a real Ortofon SPU, not the higher impedance non bakelite ones) or the Denon 103, or EMT with the matching step up from Auditorium 23. The rest is not getting what you paid for. And before I'm told I'm being a salesman or biased, which is true, most of the posters here seem to not be in my market. I'm just stating some facts.

If a dealer or distributor has sold these pieces and did not advise how it should be done correctly, I would immediately complain directly to Shindo. I wouldn't stand for it in my market. We would always pass on any sale where we knew it would not be used correctly and thats exactly what Shindo wants. On occasion, we flex a little with the hopes and ideas the clients will finish the system correctly as funds permit. Sometimes clients simply wont listen to solid advice and go round and round and round. Frustrating.

This reply is not meant to insult anyone, hurt anyones feelings or to be a jerk. It just seems lately the only posts are about shoe horning part of a total system into a mix and match system.

Over and out.

Jonathan

Jonathan,
I can feel your frustration. I feel exactly the same way, when my patients "improvise" and deviate from my advice.
In my own defense, I have a system, that has been 'sorted out" to a significant degree, especially speakers- amplifiers part of it.
So, introducing VR into the system, I fully realize a risk of potential mismatch, and am far from blaming Shindo for less, than optimal outcome.
Nevertheless, I feel there is a sizable population of audiophiles out there, who use Shindo preamp outside of the full Shindo system concept.
If I may speak on behalf of that group, I'd personally would greatly appreciate your input, with the understanding, that almost any solution, than a full Shindo system, might be suboptimal.
And since we are on the topic, I'd love to hear your opinion on what SUT would be a good match for Koetsu Urushi, to be used with VR.
PS. I do use Shindo ICs, if that can earn me some liniency

I was seriously considering buying a Cortese or Montille last year. The northeast rep would only sell me a complete system. I gave up and bought something else.

Their loss :dunno:

They did the honorable thing by not taking his money knowing it wouldn't work correctly. Shindo amp without its preamp and cables is a huge waste of money and almost guarantees failure. Yes, their financial loss. They did the right thing in an industry that sells cables that cost $50k.

Transformers- I can only guess because Koetsu is not part of the system. How does the pre sound with the amp, with the speakers with the room... So many variables, no simple answers. My best guess would be a T2. Just a guess. A transformer can only be designed with one cartridge.

Jonathan

I ended up buying Crimson DAC from Gordon Rankin and a FW SET from Nelson Pass, both of who took the time and care to speak to me directly over email about my purchases to ensure I selected the right product. I get your whole system sell strategy but frankly it comes across as snobbery. Heck the rep even cancelled an in home demo on me.

I have no idea whom this "rep" is. An in home demo is not something most do. How can you bring a whole system to someones home and even hope to get it set up in a few hours, let alone a few days. Can you tell me who this rep is? Must be another part to this story I'd like to learn about.

Its not snobbery, sorry you took it this way. Shindo is noI just another amp maker, the gear is far from universal like pretty much all the rest of the manufacturers out there. I'm glad you found things that work for you and your system.

Jonathan

Is there a way to PM you? I think it's "take it offline" time...thanks

My contact email is on my website. Thanks.

Jonathan