I loved the sound of the Cortese and had trepidation about "upgrading" to the GM70's (Matt had them on exchange and the deal was too good to refuse). But, to my surprise, the amps are similar in their PRAT, dynamics and their "alive" open manner. The GM70's just have a great deal more of the good things: especially space, air, texture and bass. These amps handle rock with more authority and do orchestral in a big, big way. I read an Art Dudley quip about the 70's being the "least Shindo sounding of the Shindo amps". I'm mystified by this because they display all the finesse of the Cortese in my opinion--voices are uncanny--while beefing up some important aforementioned qualities. Truly another rung up on the Shindo amp ladder. If you use the GM70 copper plate tubes, you get more of what Art may be used to: a burnished, beautifully rounded sound that makes it hard to switch back to "reality". Like having another amp in your arsenal.
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