Another "could cry...so happy" story

[pitch perfect]

Originally Posted by Cellindo

Guys, for the ones owning a Monbrison, I really encourage you to experiment with different power cords. Mine are custom made so I can't give you a brand to try for sure. I would still test Shunyata, Acrolink, Nirvana, maybe Lessloss too.
Try some cables very open and natural sounding, of course. Shindo's power supplies are pretty simple in design and do benefit from a very "quiet" power cable. The top of the range Nirvana one was jaw dropping but way too expensive ie 2300€ or so...

Experimentation is fun, no doubt, and can lead the way to new sonic discoveries.

But in regards to the Shindo cord, I do recommend you do not spend money on after market cords. It's simply not necessary. You are EQ'ing the sound on an already sensitively tuned, high performance product. From my experience stick with the simple gray (or black, depending on vintage), Shindo a/c cord. It's what the designer had in mind.

Also, much more important, is the lack of an earth ground, so you can flip the cord to adjust for a/c polarity.

-Matt

[adhesiv]

Originally Posted by pitchperfect

Experimentation is fun, no doubt, and can lead the way to new sonic discoveries.

But in regards to the Shindo cord, I do recommend you do not spend money on after market cords. It's simply not necessary. You are EQ'ing the sound on an already sensitively tuned, high performance product. From my experience stick with the simple gray (or black, depending on vintage), Shindo a/c cord. It's what the designer had in mind.

Also, much more important, is the lack of an earth ground, so you can flip the cord to adjust for a/c polarity.

-Matt

It didn't even occur to me that switching the cord would reverse ac polarity...I'll have to experiment with that.

Have you found this to make a big difference in some setups?

[Cellindo]

Finding the Phase on the power cord is very important indeed. On my Monbrison the Phase is reverted wrt the usual norm.

You can also experiment with or without the ground: it makes a difference but this is highly system related. No advice than just trying both cases.

I'm sorry Matt but for me a really good power cable is not at all doing any equalization to the sound (ie balance of the different frequencies). If a power cable is doing that, it should simply end-up into the rubbish bin! The purpose of a good power cable is to make your equipment more "quiet". This means the soundstage will be deeper, the instruments and voices more 3D, the note extinction longer and well connected to the next raising note. Also the timbre will sound just more like real life.

Shindo preamplifiers also benefit from a really high quality power cord. At least this is my proven experience in my own system. And I can even say that the Monbrison is the pickiest equipment I know with that regards. The quality of the power cord must just be flawless (which doesn't mean expensive). FYI, I'm using a prototype with Kapton insulated wires and no global shielding. I have tried to come back to the stock supplied cord. Nice extension of the stereo image on right and left, but the depth was all restricted and the overall rendition was lacking of 'control' and peacefulness. I kept it during 3 records and then came back to the setting with the DIY cord.

However, I could understand that some still like the stock cord. ;-) And maybe this stock cord for Europe is different from the one for US / Japan. Who knows...

[pitch perfect]

Originally Posted by Cellindo

Guys, for the ones owning a Monbrison, I really encourage you to experiment with different power cords...... Shindo's power supplies are pretty simple in design ...

Actually, quite the contrary. Shindo's power supplies are quite complex. Look inside a Vosne Romanee or Giscours, etc, and you will clearly see what I speak of. Even in the little beauty, the Aurieges-L... half the chassis is power supply! It's incredible ! It's quite a visual experience and one that Shindo takes great pains in designing.

In a system based around a Shindo pre and another manufacturers amp, the change of a power cord on the preamp is a sign that you are trying to tailor the sound in another way.

I'll say it again. Within the context of a system that most Shindo owners on this board are striving for, which is a well balanced Shindo pre & amp setup, nothing else is recommended but the stock power cord.

I find it amusing that folks believe they can tune their system better with cables other than what the designer intended. If Shindo is recommending you don't spend money on expensive a/c cords, I think that is pretty cool, no?

Do as you may - but to actually want to do it shows something is askew elsewhere in the system.

Sincerely,
Matt

[PHC1]

I've tried the Zebra and Guerrilla Audio, both excellent, shielded power cords that have stood their ground against much more expensive Audioquest and Transparent power cables with my other gear. There wasn't one time where either did not crush the factory power cords with any of my previous gear. Ayon being the exception where factory cords sounded better.

The skeptic in me just couldn't let the stock Shindo power cords go unchallenged

I could have easily used either if there was an ounce of performance to gain. In fact I heard the opposite, there was a sense of hardening of sound and unnatural glare. Back in the gray Shindo power went and all was right in the universe again. I'm keeping the stock power cords in the system.

Zebra cables in general are very good for the very fair price they charge considering the well designed products they provide. Check out their power cords. http://zebracables.com/zc12.html

[pitch perfect]

Originally Posted by PHC1

The skeptic in me just couldn't let the stock Shindo power cords go unchallenged

[Cellindo]

Originally Posted by pitchperfect

Actually, quite the contrary. Shindo's power supplies are quite complex. Look inside a Vosne Romanee or Giscours, etc, and you will clearly see what I speak of. Even in the little beauty, the Aurieges-L... half the chassis is power supply! It's incredible ! It's quite a visual experience and one that Shindo takes great pains in designing.

In a system based around a Shindo pre and another manufacturers amp, the change of a power cord on the preamp is a sign that you are trying to tailor the sound in another way.

I'll say it again. Within the context of a system that most Shindo owners on this board are striving for, which is a well balanced Shindo pre & amp setup, nothing else is recommended but the stock power cord.

I find it amusing that folks believe they can tune their system better with cables other than what the designer intended. If Shindo is recommending you don't spend money on expensive a/c cords, I think that is pretty cool, no?

Do as you may - but to actually want to do it shows something is askew elsewhere in the system.

Sincerely,
Matt

I think you didn't really get my point. I have no intention to tailor the sound of a Shindo product. I respect too well the hard work of Ken-san.
Any power cable changing the balance of the sound is a wrong one, a really disastrous tweak: I do agree with you 10x on that.
Now if a power cable is able, without changing the frequency response (which is a must for me), improve the stereo depth and precision, make you hear more inside the recording, what's wrong with it? I acknowledge that such type of cable are not that easy to find on the market place. However I was not alone to experience the improvements: two friends of mine also really reckon the better sense of reality/being there with different power cords.

It's all matter of personal preference and time available to invest in critical listening. I'm not saying that experiencing with different power cords is a must. But just saying that no other power cord can be better than the stock one is not totally true to my ears.

When I get my final speaker cables, I will try again the Shindo's stock power cable because I always stay curious and eager to go to the next step. Maybe I will come back to the stock cord or keep the cable that a craftsman created for the Monbrison.

Just wanted to share some experience gathered in the past two years. No intention to convince anyone since how could I be sure to be right with this very subjective subject that hifi is.

[pitch perfect]

Originally Posted by Cellindo

It's all matter of personal preference and time available to invest in critical listening... When I get my final speaker cables, I will try again the Shindo's stock power cable because I always stay curious and eager to go to the next step. Maybe I will come back to the stock cord or keep the cable that a craftsman created for the Monbrison.

Just wanted to share some experience gathered in the past two years. No intention to convince anyone since how could I be sure to be right with this very subjective subject that hifi is.

Agreed -

[Jerome W]

Jayson,

Congrats on this musical bliss !
I have discovered this complete swim into music recently, although not with Shindo gear, so I know and understand what you're talking about

[TommyC]

Originally Posted by pitchperfect

Experimentation is fun, no doubt, and can lead the way to new sonic discoveries.

But in regards to the Shindo cord, I do recommend you do not spend money on after market cords. It's simply not necessary. You are EQ'ing the sound on an already sensitively tuned, high performance product. From my experience stick with the simple gray (or black, depending on vintage), Shindo a/c cord. It's what the designer had in mind.

Also, much more important, is the lack of an earth ground, so you can flip the cord to adjust for a/c polarity.

-Matt

Matt, does Shindo sell any power cord besides the stock grey cord that comes with the unit?