Show us your Shindo

[Old Grey]

Originally Posted by Mikeyc

Hi Alberto thanks for the kind words, I'll definitely consider joining up. Just to give you some background on my system, I have a small room, so I wanted a system that could draw me in and connect me with the music. I don't need huge tower speakers powered by a mega watt SS amp so I decided to go with an old skool system that utilizes well regarded and classic NOS pieces from the 70s and 80s. I started out with an Aurieges preamp from Matt and over the years added another Shindo piece and a cable here and the sound evolved into quite a holistic Shindo sound. I don't have top of the line Shindo gear, but I think in terms of philosophy and synergies its not bad and I'm in no rush to change anything at the moment.

I'm running a Montille with Mullard EL84s and an Auriege MM. All interconnects between the pre, power amp and the Auditorium 23 SUT are Shindo and the speaker cables are A23. Speakers are Coral Beta 8s, single driver, very dynamic and efficient (over 100 dB) so I never have to have the volume dial past 10 o'clock. The table is a a poor man's Shindo/Garrard 301 - its a Lenco L75 modded by the (in)famous Jean Nantais, with a CLD plinth consisting of 11 layers of alternating birch plywood and mdf and it weighs in at over 70 lbs so excellent at isolating the cart from vibrations. Its an idler design (platter spins via a wheel under the platter) which results in very stable speed. Most notable is its sense of PRaT (pacing, rhythm, and timing). I also have an old skool Audiocraft 300 arm with an EMT JDS 5. I haven't seen too many EMT carts on this forum, but you guys should check them out if you haven't already, they're really special and match with Shindo gear very well - Matt at PP absolutely loves 'em also. As a backup arm I have a Moerch DP6 with a Dyna 20X cart, but it sees very little use as I love the sound from the EMT.

The most recent piece I got was a Mr T. I think its the cherry on top. Although I have dedicated lines and my power is pretty clean, the Mr T power conditioner adds another 10% or so to the overall sound. It makes the background a little bit blacker and, the bass more defined.

The CDP is a Cayin with tube output but it rarely ever gets turned on these days as I play about 99% vinyl. I also have a Velodyne 12" sub to augment the lower octaves and a smattering of ther amps (Bedini 100/100, Marantz 8B). but they also see very little use as I'm in love with the delicous Shindo sound - especially with older Jazz from the 50s and 60s. I wouldn't be surprised if Shindo San voices his gear with jazz because they're a match in heaven.

Finally the rear wall treatments are actually quite simple, they're acoustic tiles made by Mio, very cheap at only about $40 IIRC.

I second the comment on the 50s/60s jazz. The 45 RPM reissues are fantastic. I'd highly recommend Kenny Burrell's Midnight Blue or Trane's Blue Train if you haven't heard. Even the BlueNote 33's (original or reissues) are quite good to. Love those Miles Davis Prestige years too. Most anything RVG did sounds awesome on vinyl with Shindo gear.

[G-Man]

The Mr. T gives you more Shindo synergy. That's probably why you like it so much. IMHO, all you need is more of the same...

[JohnThomas]

Originally Posted by Pai Mei

Hey John - How'd the visit go?

Well, with all the wonderful things being said about Shindo equipment I made an appointment to here the Shindo equipment at Don Better's Audio in Shaker Heights ,OH .

We started off with the Cortese, Vosne-Romanee, Acoustic Plan cd/dac with external power supply and Shindo 604 speakers. (90% of the listening was done with 604's and 10% with the Devore 0/96). I don't remember a lot of the music but it was a good mixture of Jazz, rock and classical. First impression was wow the 604 really throws a huge sound stage, vocals were crystal clear but the Cortese sounded a little brighter to my ears. After 30 mins of listening Don switched the Cortese out for the Haut Brion amp. This amp was wonderful, warm and romantic like a glass of cabernet. After a few songs using the Acoustic Plan we switch over to the Shindo turntable using the Haut Brion and Vosne-Romanee. This was a huge jump in refinement. Right then I understood the Shindo synergy of keeping everything the same if you want the full Shindo effect. Not to say that listening with the Acoustic Plan was bad. It's that the turntable was the icing on the cake. Then we switch amps again this time to the GM-70. This one has a bold sound after listening to the other two amps (deep base and a lot of reserve power).

After I zoned in on the amp I liked we tried the Masseto with the Haut Brion. That sounded good also but not as refined as with the Vosne- Romanee.

Then we switch out the 604 with the Devore 0/96 speakers, Haut Brion and Vosne-Romanee. I listen to three different songs with the 0/96. The sound stage drop pretty significantly to my ears. I think listening to the 604 for 3 1/2 hours and then the 0/96 for last 30 minutes was the reason for the big let down (besides it's almost 3 times less in price then the 604).

Ok first my take on the look and finish of the 604. For 32K it's way over priced, it looks very boxy and the finish is just ok but for 2K more you can put the 604 driver in the Latour box which looks and feels way better and was told would give you more bass. If i was buying a 604 I would pay the extra 2K.

The look and finish of all the amps, preamps and turntable are gorgeous and are worth the price of admission. Is it the holy grail I don't know but it's very good stuff.

Originally Posted by JohnThomas

Well, with all the wonderful things being said about Shindo equipment I made an appointment to here the Shindo equipment at Don Better's Audio in Shaker Heights ,OH .

We started off with the Cortese, Vosne-Romanee, Acoustic Plan cd/dac with external power supply and Shindo 604 speakers. (90% of the listening was done with 604's and 10% with the Devore 0/96). I don't remember a lot of the music but it was a good mixture of Jazz, rock and classical. First impression was wow the 604 really throws a huge sound stage, vocals were crystal clear but the Cortese sounded a little bright to my ears. After 30 mins of listening Don switched the Cortese out for the Haut Brion amp. This amp was wonderful, warm and fuzzy like a glass of cabernet. After a few songs using the Acoustic Plan we switch over to the Shindo turntable using the Haut Brion and Vosne-Romanee. This was a huge jump in refinement. Right then I understood the Shindo synergy of keeping everything the same if you want the full Shindo effect. Not to say that listening with the Acoustic Plan was bad. It's that the turntable was the icing on the cake. Then we switch amps again this time to the GM-70. This one has a bold sound after listening to the other two amps (deep base and a lot of reserve power).

After I zoned in on the amp I liked we tried the Masseto with the Haut Brion. That sounded good also but not as refined as with the Vosne- Romanee.

Then we switch out the 604 with the Devore 0/96 speakers, Haut Brion and Vosne-Romanee. I listen to three different songs with the 0/96. The sound stage drop pretty significantly to my ears. I think listening to the 604 for 3 1/2 hours and then the 0/96 for last 30 minutes was the reason for the big let down (besides it's almost 3 times less in price then the 604).

Ok first my take on the look and finish of the 604. For 32K it's way over priced, it looks very boxy and the finish is just ok but for 2K more you can put the 604 driver in the Latour box which looks and feels way better and was told would give you more bass. If i was buying a 604 I would pay the extra 2K.

The look and finish of all the amps, preamps and turntable are gorgeous and are worth the price of admission. Is it the holy grail I don't know but it's very good stuff.

Great review, thanks for sharing.

[Stercom]

After all these years I finally found a place to talk Shindo! Reading Art Dudley's, Jules Coleman's and Jeff Day's experiences got me into Shindo. Matt Rotunda's advice and help have helped immensely. Looking forward to being part of this community! Here are a few pics.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Stercom

After all these years I finally found a place to talk Shindo! Reading Art Dudley's, Jules Coleman's and Jeff Day's experiences got me into Shindo. Matt Rotunda's advice and help have helped immensely. Looking forward to being part of this community! Here are a few pics.

Stercom... Welcome!

Very Nice Rig!

[jwhite613]

Pai Mei, Welcome to AA!!!

[maxsmart]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Stercom... Welcome!

Very Nice Rig!

+1

[jwhite613]

Stercom, Welcome to AA!!! Beautiful System.

[Masterlu]

Pai Mei... Welcome!