Moving up the Shindo line of products

[Old Grey]

Hmm. Sounds like you know the answer to your own post. If "the only area I would consider changing" is your pre, just demo one and find out. You may surprise yourself and not need it (or not find it worth it). I've done this every step my gear and plowed the cash into something I really can enjoy.

$10k can do quite a bit, so you may want to keep an open mind. You could have a SET on hand, a pair of Solovox A23s (if you can find them), a few different cartridges, different front end (what are you using anyway???) all to maximize the particular music you're listening to. Heck, that's the fun of the hobby, trying lots of different things and putting your money down on things that give you the most pleasure. If it turns out to be a VR, fantastic...but don't take the fun out of finding out!

[FranklinLG]

Lowers,

Can you offer any input on the Orangutans? I'm seriously interested in these as an upgrade from my current zu essence speakers. The cost is doable but obviously a sizable jump. I'd greatly appreciate yours or anyone else's input. As for my system it includes a leben r100u, Sophia electric mono 300b, among other items.

Thanks in advance for yours and anyone else's input!

[sibelius]

As a former Zu Essence owner, I say this with all sincerity - you can do much better than what you have and looking to upgrade is the right move. Devore speakers will be an improvement. So will any speaker with a PHY or AER driver (amongst others). You have very good electronics. Time to see what they can really do.

[FranklinLG]

Sibelius

Thanks for the candor. I'm Excited to make the jump up from the zu. My biggest concern or issue is I'd like to keep whatever I get for several years. So I want to make a good decision here. The system does triple duty - vinyl, streaming digital, and home theater. That said, it sounds like you dig the orangutans???

[lowens]

Originally Posted by FranklinLG

Lowers,

Can you offer any input on the Orangutans? I'm seriously interested in these as an upgrade from my current zu essence speakers. The cost is doable but obviously a sizable jump. I'd greatly appreciate yours or anyone else's input. As for my system it includes a leben r100u, Sophia electric mono 300b, among other items.

Thanks in advance for yours and anyone else's input!

The O96's a fabulous. I have owned numerous Wilsons and a pair of Sanus Fabers. These are by far my favorite and a superb match with the low watt Shindo amps.
They have the unusual ability to be laid back, but highly resolved at the same time. The bass is full, deep and plentiful and provides a very nice foundation to the music.
Soundstage is wide and deep but given the large front baffle the imaging is not up there with Wilsons or other audiophile speakers (I personally could care less about imaging)
The highs are extended, but never draw notice. They are a music lovers speaker, not an audiophile speaker as you will relax into their sound.
They are beautifully made, with a high gloss finish.
Last night I was listening to Chris Botti's live concert and it was breathtakingly real. So smooth, dynamic and "real"..excellent resolution. They are able to handle complex music without blurring of the stage.
Given their high efficiency they are a great low listening level speaker..all the details still shine through. Great on a variety of music, from pop to classical to jazz.

Nope this helps

Larry

[FranklinLG]

Thanks lowens. I pulled the trigger on these with Matt this weekend.

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[Labpro]

I wanted to offer some perspective on the upgrade path for Shindo preamps.

I agree 100% with the earlier comments regarding the VR.

I owned the VR for about 6 months and definately loved what it did for vocals among other things.

I was looking for more detail and a larger sound stage so I traded the VR for my friends Giscours preamp + some cash (whats a few grand between friends).

The difference in my system, in my room, was simply amazing. Alot more resolution especially in the base and mid-base, plus a huge sound-stage. Definately worth the $$.

Hope this helps.

System Includes: Shindo GM-70's Monoblocks, Shindo Giscours preamp, Coincident Pure Reference Speakers, Shindo Silver interconnects, Kubala Sosna Elation speaker cables, Lampizator Level 4 DAC, Naim Hard Drive Server, Shunyata power cords with Triton AC conditioner.

[Masterlu]

Labpro... Welcome!

[audiot servant]

Welcome Labpro...amaaazing system you've got there... :-)
Graham

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[f1 fan]

Labpro...welcome to AA, love your Shindo system.

Dave