Originally Posted by countingbackwards (Post 543351)

I will not be running 2 different amps to save my CCQ hours, that's for sure! I only get to listen ~10-15 hours per week, what with all the time I spend working, at the kids' hockey, etc etc. Every single one of those hours needs to be as much of an event as it possibly can be - and once I have CCQ's in the house, they will have the job of massaging my inner brain and restoring my energy. Well, I guess it's really the music that does that stuff, but only passing the music through my best gear will do!

Though I guess you could say that my headphone rig is my "B" system!

Sindoaddict - funny you should mention the Hommage - my dealer actually has a demo T2 in the store at the moment, but I will not be trying it anytime soon: the CCQ is enough of a financial investment that I don't need to be spending any more for a very long time! It'll be time to enjoy the upgrade that the CCQ's bring to the system.

My guess is that there aren't that many owners of CCQ's anywhere...it'll be interesting to see what are the serial numbers of my units. I saw pictures online of a pair that were built in mid-2011 and were #3 and 4 (the model was introduced in late 2010).

Originally Posted by Masterlu (Post 996793)

rafael_triode... Welcome to AA! :wave:

Originally Posted by neilspeed (Post 1002234)

I am enjoying reading the comments and also looking at the pictures on this Shindo thread. I had a couple of questions for Shindo owners and would appreciate any responses. I am interested in getting a Montille amp with an Aurieges preamp along with Shindo ICs and A23 speaker cables. They would be powering my Audio Note AN-E SPe HE speakers that are 97.5db efficient. I would like to continue using my Manley Labs Chinook SE MKII phono stage with VPI Prime TT. I do not listen to digital. The Chinook offers me the flexibility to use most cartridges while if I were to use the A23 SUT I would be somewhat limited. Also, all my equipment was recently purchased new and I am not in a hurry to change any pieces out. My first question is – will using my phono stage instead of the SUT compromise the Shindo sound? My second question is – is there a difference in sound quality between the Aurieges L versus the Aurieges MM? I do not have any need for the MM section since I would be only using MC carts.

Any advice or comments on these two areas would be very much appreciated.

Originally Posted by neilspeed (Post 1002702)

Hi Jerome, thanks for your response and recommending another SUT. I guess I will have to also consider getting a Shindo preamp further up the totem pole that accommodates MCs versus buying both a preamp and SUT.

Originally Posted by Jerome W (Post 1002738)

Yes but take care. Shindo preamps with a MC stage are made specially for the Shindo SPU.
Not so good with other carts or non Shindo SPU.

Originally Posted by restock (Post 1002957)

Of course the Shindo MC is just the same as the MM input + internal SUT which is optimized for the SPU.

If you want to use a variety of carts with a tube phono the best is to get a range of SUTs for optimized use with each cartridge.

Originally Posted by restock (Post 1002957)

Of course the Shindo MC is just the same as the MM input + internal SUT which is optimized for the SPU.

If you want to use a variety of carts with a tube phono the best is to get a range of SUTs for optimized use with each cartridge.

Originally Posted by Dth31 (Post 1002767)

Don’t think of your decision as a “destination”, but instead as a “journey”. Use your current phono pre for now, upgrading as funds allow. You’ll enjoy the Shindo preamp and can always upgrade if you feel the need. You may never feel the need. If you upgrade, you’ll learn from the experience.

I agree that the Shindo MM phono stages are excellent. I use my Shindo Monbrison line/phono preamp with a MC cart and SUT into the MM input. With rare exception, I’ve much preferred using a SUT into the MM input of any phonostage (not just the Shindo) compared to a MC input that doesn’t have a SUT. More dynamic, propulsive and musically engaging with a SUT.

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2 (Post 1003043)

K&K Audio offers some excellent SUTs (using Lundahl transformers). One can plug in various load resistors to match the best load for their cartridge. Mine has load resistors that allow for either 20 or 150 ohm load, though it is simple to plug in other value resistors to change the load the cartridge sees. They also have a selectable gain. Mine, with the Lundahl LL1931 transformers, can be selected for either 8x or 16x gain.
Here is a decent article from K&K's website that explains a fair bit about SUTs and cartridge load matching.
http://www.kandkaudio.com/applications-guide/

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2 (Post 1004190)

De rien, Jerome.

You (and all Shindo users) may find this column by your fellow Shindo user, Art Dudley (may he RIP). https://www.stereophile.com/content/listening-148 In it, he references a set of the K&K SUT transformers (likely the 9226 or their predecessor - based on the age of same) that were installed in his Shindo preamp. In the column he has a link to an earlier column where he discusses his particular Shindo preamp. I have not read, but it could have additional info on the K&K SUTs that are installed in same.
Enjoy!! :thumbsup:

Originally Posted by Balazs (Post 1035743)

Hello,

Can someone tell the sonic differences between the Cotton Charlemagne 80 and the Q?

I would like to try one of the two as an alternative amp for my Cortese F2a 8-9W single ended and with a Giscours.

Can you give some advice about these “stronger” Shindo amps?

Thanks a lot

Originally Posted by Masterlu (Post 1048246)

Ptd81… Welcome to AA! :wave: