Show us your Shindo

[Old Grey]

Originally Posted by Mikeyc

Oh boy this is gonna get confusing, we have two new members, Pai Mei and Old Grey, with the latter using Pai Mei (from
Kill Bill) as his avatar. Interestingly I also use the image of Pai Mei as my avatar on other forums, but for some reason I decided to switch to Frank Zappa on a whim. Lots of Tarantino fans here methinks?

I'm an even bigger fan of jwhite613's avatar, but I've been using "Old Grey" for years now and thought a picture of Pai Mai would be more appropriate. As for the other Pai Mai, perhaps we can convince him to use Frank Zappa (just kidding)

[Old Grey]

Originally Posted by Stercom

For me, Shindo amps all sound similar

Say it ain't so, Stercom...you ripped all through all those great amps and found them similar? I'll give you the Cortese and Sinhonia's, but the Haut Brion? Very different to my ear. Not to insult your speakers (or your for that matter), but you may want to consider another speaker choice. Good news is your sitting on some beautiful sounding monos!

[Stercom]

Originally Posted by Old Grey

Say it ain't so, Stercom...you ripped all through all those great amps and found them similar? I'll give you the Cortese and Sinhonia's, but the Haut Brion? Very different to my ear. Not to insult your speakers (or your for that matter), but you may want to consider another speaker choice. Good news is your sitting on some beautiful sounding monos!

Old Grey - Yep, I lived with those amps (not just heard them in a store demo). I can confidentially say Shindo amps all sound similar - not the same, but similar. Shindo preamps, on the other hand, have a definite progression, at least going from the Monbrison to the Vosne-Romanee. Have you ever heard the Salk Archos with a Shindo amp? I'm guessing you haven't

[JohnThomas]

Originally Posted by pitchperfect

Agree. Cortese is not bright at all, and the Haut Brion is not fuzzy. Haut Brion is very extended, sparkly and transparent, with a visceral, mighty quality to the sound. Just goes to show how room interactions and source components/music selection affect the system.

-M

I just want to let everyone know that I did edit my previous post on my visit to Don's after reading webster's dictionary on the definition of fuzzy since it can mean three different things to so many folks. I realized some words used in context tend to be miss understood. But to my ears the Haut Brion was definition number 3 below. That was what I was trying to convey.But when I go back for a second visit that could all change.

Definition of FUZZY

1
: marked by or giving a suggestion of fuzz <a fuzzy covering of felt>
2
: lacking in clarity or definition <moving the camera causes fuzzy photos>
3
: being, relating to, or invoking pleasant and usually sentimental emotions <warm and fuzzy feelings>
— fuzz·i·ly adverb

[sibelius]

Originally Posted by Stercom

Old Grey - Yep, I lived with those amps (not just heard them in a store demo). I can confidentially say Shindo amps all sound similar - not the same, but similar. Shindo preamps, on the other hand, have a definite progression, at least going from the Monbrison to the Vosne-Romanee. Have you ever heard the Salk Archos with a Shindo amp? I'm guessing you haven't

Have you heard the Shindo Lafon GM-70's? Big, bold and immediate. Completely different soundscape than the other Shindo amps IMO.

[pitch perfect]

Originally Posted by Stercom

...
The reason I settled on the Sinhonias is because of the additional power which allows me to use them with a wide variety of speakers. For me, Shindo amps all sound similar, its the power rating and speaker matching you must pay attention to. ..

Although the Haut Brion and Sinhonia have similar traits, it begins and ends there. Every Shindo amp has a unique outlook on the music.

If you get a chance to hear the Montille->Montrachet->Haut Brion->Corton Charlemagne->etc or the Single Ended amps, Cortese->GM70->300B LTD, they are all uniquely different.

Best,
-Matt

[Stercom]

Originally Posted by pitchperfect

Although the Haut Brion and Sinhonia have similar traits, it begins and ends there. Every Shindo amp has a unique outlook on the music.

If you get a chance to hear the Montille->Montrachet->Haut Brion->Corton Charlemagne->etc or the Single Ended amps, Cortese->GM70->300B LTD, they are all uniquely different.

Best,
-Matt

Hi Matt - Seems like we agree - all I was trying to convey is based on the Shindo amps I've owned they have similar traits. Of course, I'm not saying they sound the same. As was said in another thread:

Originally Posted by Mikeyc

Throughout the line, the Shindo House sound remains, and you notice subtle changes in details, textures and tonality. You'll have to weigh the cost of upgrading the green boxes and the incremental improvement with your wallet and means.

[Mikeyc]

Originally Posted by Old Grey

I'm an even bigger fan of jwhite613's avatar, but I've been using "Old Grey" for years now and thought a picture of Pai Mai would be more appropriate. As for the other Pai Mai, perhaps we can convince him to use Frank Zappa (just kidding)

Lol, I never get tired of looking at jwhite's avatar

[Old Grey]

Originally Posted by Stercom

Old Grey - Yep, I lived with those amps (not just heard them in a store demo). I can confidentially say Shindo amps all sound similar - not the same, but similar. Shindo preamps, on the other hand, have a definite progression, at least going from the Monbrison to the Vosne-Romanee. Have you ever heard the Salk Archos with a Shindo amp? I'm guessing you haven't

You're correct, I have not heard the Salk Achos. I sincerely didn't mean to challenge you, I was just expecting more of a story on how you selected your amplification other than the power seemed to match.

I fell head over heals for the F2a tube years ago and it took a long time (lots of hard work to earn the $$ & lots of listening to decide it was the right one), before it finally made it home. I guess I just bristle a bit when it's referred to as being "similar" to anything else (Shindo or not). To my ear, there just isn't anything quite like it. I won't go so far to say it's "the best" -that misses the entire point of the Shindo amp line, but I will say it's different.

In the future, I promise not to be so sensitive. I owe you a beer for calling you out -as I said, that wasn't my intention at all. Thanks so very much for sharing and congratuations on such a beautiful system.

[jwhite613]

Originally Posted by Mikeyc

Lol, I never get tired of looking at jwhite's avatar

Thanks guys. I guess I will keep it a little longer. Had thought about a change, maybe next month.