For the first time in my audiophile "career" I am 100% satisfied and I don't feel any - and I mean ANY - desire for changing anything - and I mean ANYTHING.
Everything I play sounds delicious and involving.
I've even taken to listening off-axis while lying on the couch reading (another favorite pastime.) What I find amazing is that even sitting well to one side of the room, the Mac+Shindo+Tannoy set up creates a completely satisfying and three-dimensional soundstage between the two speakers (about 2' behind and 3' higher than the speakers.)
I've been giving a lot of credit to the Shindo electronics, but the little Tannoy Sandringhams deserve a lot of credit as well. The way they disappear is stunning. I was demoing the system to a friend and he did not believe that sound was coming from the speakers because the soundstage was in a completely different space and not a single sound could be traced to either driver. He touched the driver to verify that it was actually moving and that if was them producing the sound and not some hidden speakers.
I always contended that the real test and review of a system can only be given after a few weeks or months of living with it. Well, it has been several months now and, if anything, I am addicted to this system more than ever.
The bass, mid, treble, soundstage, imaging, details, etc., are just the way I'd imagine my dream system would sound.
I could not be happier and I can't imagine changing anything. I was briefly tempted to get a bigger set of Tannoys, but when I sat down to list what was missing or what I was hoping to improve I came up empty-handed. The speakers are perfect for my room.
The biggest surprise is how enjoyable Rhapsody streaming through the Sonos is. Not a trace of digital sound, it's full, rich and smooth. I listen to it for hours on end and I totally immersed in the music.
Yes, Shindo is not inexpensive. The list price for the Monbrison + Cortese is about $20K, but when I take into account that it took me off the "treadmill" and that it will keep me ecstatic for years to come, it may turn out to be my best audio purchase ever.
I'll post another update in a few months, but I doubt it will be much different from this one ... sorry
.
Alberto