Sayonara Shindo Auriges + Montille (but the Montille can be yours)

[Alberto]

It was with a heavy heart that I handed my first Shindo components (Auriges-L preamp and Montille power amp) to Matt of Pitch Perfect Audio yesterday evening.

As you may recall from a previous post, with the arrival of my Monbrison + Cortese, my original setup of Auriges + Montille was put on a shelf and did not see much use.

Eventually, I decided to sell it and donate the proceeds to help my daughter's fledgeling career as a film-maker.

Since I have a natural aversion to shipping valuable audio gear (from bad past experiences) and I think that the best way to buy Shindo is from an authorized dealer - especially if that dealer is Matt at Pitch Perfect Audio - I decided to sell the items to him and let him find them a good new home.

The Auriges is already spoken for, but the Montille is still available (see here.)

As I prepared for Matt's visit to pick up the items, I set them up on my B-system (the one I play several hours a day while I work.) I sounded so good that more than once I thought of calling Matt to call the deal off. However, since my B-system is on for 8-12 hours each day and serves mostly background music duty, it would have been a waste of tubes and Shindo deliciousness to put them on such mundane duty.

I would love it if my Montille (EL84 tubes model) goes to someone on AA. It looks perfect and works great, and you have the confidence of dealing with Matt who is, hands down, the best audio dealer with whom I've ever worked.

Alberto

[Alberto]

I forgot to write about the original point I wanted to make. Which is this:

When I setup the Auriges + Montille for background music, there was a major problem besides 10-12 hours/day of tube usage. It was distracting!

My vintage Pioneer receiver work well for background listening because it never called attention to itself - and it sounds very forgiving, as most vintage gear does.

But the Auriges+Montille kept distracting me with sonic surprises. Stopping me in my tracks over and over again; a cymbal hit that came out of nowhere and materialized in mid-air with incredible realism; Ella Fitzgerald voice in the middle of the room (mono recording); saxophones sounding deliciously "reedy"; guitar playing where I could detect/imagine the direction of the guitar pick on the strings. It all sounded so good that it was hard to ignore.

Some people think that its not a good idea to use music for background, as it diminishes the listening experience. That when you listen to music you should REALLY listen: eyes closed, full attention on the music. I am not sure I agree. Background music is helpful to me and even conducive to work, but a great system will refuse to fade in the background - it DEMANDS attention. Good for music, not so good when you are working on a deadline.

Have other people experienced the same (i.e. some systems are just hard to ignore when they are playing, while others make your brain look for distractions.)?

Alberto

[FranklinLG]

Alberto,

You're too much! Shindo for background music - I love it!

PS - Nice photo!

[Jerome W]

Alberto : I can relate fully to your statements. Shindo is just impossible for background music because it sounds so damn good that it calls all the attention to itself.
Very nice write up !

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[two dot]

Alberto,

You came to the same conclusion as I... that it is best to let the next person (buyer) of SHINDO gear experience the full dealer experience, full warranty, and full trade-up program by dealing with Matt (of Pitch Perfect).

I could have sold more gear for a "little" more $ but I know in my heart that keeping the gear within the dealer network was better for everyone.

PS... I would love to own that little Montile.... still thinking of how I can get back to the GREEN...

Also... I agree that the SHINDO is the most engaging of musical deices that I have ever listened to.

[Jerome W]

Stephen : you " need " an Apetite.
Easy way to get you back to Shindo with a little jewel, as powerful as the Montille and for a very moderate price, which won't make you feel bad about having your personal system in your family.
Trust me : this little one is a concentrate of Shindo.
I agree with you too that no other brand I listened to could draw me into music like Shindo.

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