Advise needed on Shindo VR

[teojjsg]

Hi, need some advise on the below photos of a Shindo VR that i intend to buy used. The tubes look different from what i see on the web. Serial number is 037. Any gurus here can help identify if Shindo produce the VR with such tubes?Thanks.

[omodo]

... looks like c3m but with the metal shield/cover removed.

[kev313]

Originally Posted by omodo

... looks like c3m but with the metal shield/cover removed.

That's it. Good luck with that. I'd be careful buying gear from anyone who decided it was a good idea to re-engineer a tube. I mean...it was just Siemens. What do they know?

[KenSea]

Originally Posted by omodo

... looks like c3m but with the metal shield/cover removed.

I am sure that these are no C3M as it 's too tall, most likely an older unit that used a very different tube.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by kev313

That's it. Good luck with that. I'd be careful buying gear from anyone who decided it was a good idea to re-engineer a tube. I mean...it was just Siemens. What do they know?

Agreed.

I recently discovered the amazing quality of Siemens tubes. They clearly knew what they were doing and I understand easily why Shindo -san used some Siemens tubes in his creations.

[KenSea]

I take that back, there was a special mesh tube made

http://media.datatail.com/docs/insta...n/86194_en.pdf

Originally Posted by KenSea

I am sure that these are no C3M as it 's too tall, most likely an older unit that used a very different tube.

[teojjsg]

Thanks. I was hoping that owners of the earlier VR will have the same tubes as this and i can buy with peace of mind. Looks like i have to give it a miss then. Is serial number 037 a very early number? Any owners of VR has a lower serial number? Cheers.

[jhardy]

Originally Posted by teojjsg

Thanks. I was hoping that owners of the earlier VR will have the same tubes as this and i can buy with peace of mind. Looks like i have to give it a miss then. Is serial number 037 a very early number? Any owners of VR has a lower serial number? Cheers.

I've got serial number 33 that I brought new. Mine has the black caps on the C3ms.

[FranklinLG]

As I recall, mine was in the 60's. I've since moved on from the VR. But I have seen the C3M without the shield. If I am not mistaken, the C3M was used for underwater repeaters of telecommunications, or something ridiculous use like that. So that may explain the shielding. FWIW, I think Yammato (sp?) has a pre with the C3m where they have the shield removed. It's not hard to do, but you have to be patient when you pry the can open.

That said, I'd be cautious about buying used. Check with a Shindo dealer to see if they can confirm how many owners the unit's had. I once looked at a pair of 300B amps that were on their third or fourth owner and allegedly had some retooling... Caveat emptor.

Best wishes, though. The VR is a sweet amp.

[teojjsg]

Will give this a miss then. Even the tubes behind the c3m does not look original. No longer have any dealers in singapore. That's the main problem. In fact JH from the states had given me some valuable advice and help for my ownership of shindo gears so far. Thumbs up.