Shindo Aurieges MM preamplifier

[Sushant Sharma]

@arj @Yelamanchili manohar thanks for the replies Gents. That's what I would have thought but having never used a SUT, its great to have your advice.

 

[Yelamanchili manohar]

@arj @Yelamanchili manohar thanks for the replies Gents. That's what I would have thought but having never used a SUT, its great to have your advice.

Iam currently travelling sushant, but should be back home by mid Sept. My vinyl rig is lying in peices in boxes at the moment
But I plan on getting it up and running once iam back. I have a bigbottle mk3 MC/MM phonostage that i comissioned and hand carried from uk. The cart is a EMT TSD15, paired with a EMT STX21 SUT. I can try running straight MC into the phono preamp, or MM into the phono with the SUT, and will revert with my listening impressions, if that helps others in their decision making as to whether a SUT is required, even with a MC phonostage. All the best

Thanks and best regards
Y.Manohar

 

[Sushant Sharma]

Iam currently travelling sushant, but should be back home by mid Sept. My vinyl rig is lying in peices in boxes at the moment
But I plan on getting it up and running once iam back. I have a bigbottle mk3 MC/MM phonostage that i comissioned and hand carried from uk. The cart is a EMT TSD15, paired with a EMT STX21 SUT. I can try running straight MC into the phono preamp, or MM into the phono with the SUT, and will revert with my listening impressions, if that helps others in their decision making as to whether a SUT is required, even with a MC phonostage. All the best

Thanks and best regards
Y.Manohar

That phono has some very good user reviews. Should be great sound Manohar. Will await your findings. Thanks

 

[arj]

@arj @Yelamanchili manohar thanks for the replies Gents. That's what I would have thought but having never used a SUT, its great to have your advice.

What's the cartridge you plan to use ? For a dl103 there are so many options (not the 103r which needs different loading )

Any good 1:10 to 12 works excellently with it . Maybe you can speak with viren to get one made for you out if Cinemag transformers.. they are excellent

The key is to look at the internal impedance of the cart and the external loading for that is usually at least 10-20 times that but can go higher..

I personally use a ortofon T30 which has several loading options but does not come up for sale that often

 

[Sushant Sharma]

What's the cartridge you plan to use ? For a dl103 there are so many options (not the 103r which needs different loading )

Any good 1:10 to 12 works excellently with it . Maybe you can speak with viren to get one made for you out if Cinemag transformers.. they are excellent

The key is to look at the internal impedance of the cart and the external loading for that is usually at least 10-20 times that but can go higher..

I personally use a ortofon T30 which has several loading options but does not come up for sale that often

Still the Ortofon SPU and the Schick arm. Will look more into impedance and loading. Keeping an eye out for the Ortofon SUTs. I remember you used the same tonearm with Denon 103 and SPU both. May i ask how has your experience been with regards to both these carts? Thanks

 

[arj]

.........../ May i ask how has your experience been with regards to both these carts? Thanks

Well if you have an ortofon spu then the dl103 is only a backup sp you are good here ! Dl103 is lower in resolution but gets the music spot on. Spu is easiest ti setup as if you have the tone arm installed exactly then it's plug and play.

I guess you might have seen the link I posted above at hifido ? They are very reliable and fair although shipping may be higher than from Europe

 

[Sushant Sharma]

Well if you have an ortofon spu then the dl103 is only a backup sp you are good here ! Dl103 is lower in resolution but gets the music spot on. Spu is easiest ti setup as if you have the tone arm installed exactly then it's plug and play.

I guess you might have seen the link I posted above at hifido ? They are very reliable and fair although shipping may be higher than from Europe

I actually came close to buying it a few months ago and made the order. But then backed out last minute. I think I will do it soon. Thanks

 

[shaizada]

@Sushant Sharma , congrats on a wonderful phono stage purchase.
You already have the perfect tonearm for any Ortofon SPU along with any low compliance Denon DL 103 series cartridge.

A great way to get a complimentary sound, yet still very beautiful and full of tonality is to get a DL-103 (non R) and match it with the dedicated Auditorium 23 step up. I don't think you need to get the A23 Hommage, but the normal A23 step up. You can get both, the one matched for SPU carts and the one dedicated to the DL 103 cartridge. Would also be a good idea to get the shortest A23 RCA interconnect you can get away with from the step up to the phono itself. I use a 0.6m myself which works great.

As for amplifier, Shindo gear has special synergy with their own electronics, down to their own speakers as well. So you can later look into getting a Shindo line preamp and separate amp OR get a Shindo Integrated. However, then you would probably need to look into high efficiency speakers that are known to be a good match with the Shindo electronics.

On the other hand, you can also stick with EAR and get either the EAR 324 (solid state phono with extensive MM settings on the second phono input) or the EAR 88PB. Both which I love and also own in case you have specific questions about them.

The EAR 88pb actually has a volume control where you can go directly in the EAR 890 amplifier you have negating the need for a dedicated line stage, for a very purist vinyl listening experience. Otherwise, you can look into the EAR 868 PL or EAR 912. If you go that route, you can use the built in phono stages in those preamps and not have to get a dedicated phono. However, I would still look to adding the 324 then for the extensive MM section including a slight variation to the sound compared to the built in phono of the 868 or 912.

Again, if you have questions, feel free to reach out. I love and own a lot EAR gear myself. I also use the 12" Schick tonearm with both SPU and 103 cars with many step ups, including the A23 ones I mentioned. Post is getting long so I'll stop. Cheers!

 

[Sushant Sharma]

@Sushant Sharma , congrats on a wonderful phono stage purchase.
You already have the perfect tonearm for any Ortofon SPU along with any low compliance Denon DL 103 series cartridge.

A great way to get a complimentary sound, yet still very beautiful and full of tonality is to get a DL-103 (non R) and match it with the dedicated Auditorium 23 step up. I don't think you need to get the A23 Hommage, but the normal A23 step up. You can get both, the one matched for SPU carts and the one dedicated to the DL 103 cartridge. Would also be a good idea to get the shortest A23 RCA interconnect you can get away with from the step up to the phono itself. I use a 0.6m myself which works great.

As for amplifier, Shindo gear has special synergy with their own electronics, down to their own speakers as well. So you can later look into getting a Shindo line preamp and separate amp OR get a Shindo Integrated. However, then you would probably need to look into high efficiency speakers that are known to be a good match with the Shindo electronics.

On the other hand, you can also stick with EAR and get either the EAR 324 (solid state phono with extensive MM settings on the second phono input) or the EAR 88PB. Both which I love and also own in case you have specific questions about them.

The EAR 88pb actually has a volume control where you can go directly in the EAR 890 amplifier you have negating the need for a dedicated line stage, for a very purist vinyl listening experience. Otherwise, you can look into the EAR 868 PL or EAR 912. If you go that route, you can use the built in phono stages in those preamps and not have to get a dedicated phono. However, I would still look to adding the 324 then for the extensive MM section including a slight variation to the sound compared to the built in phono of the 868 or 912.

Again, if you have questions, feel free to reach out. I love and own a lot EAR gear myself. I also use the 12" Schick tonearm with both SPU and 103 cars with many step ups, including the A23 ones I mentioned. Post is getting long so I'll stop. Cheers!

@shaizada thank you very much for your post. You are very well versed with EAR gear and i am sure music reproduction in general. I tried chasing down an EAR preamp but it wasn't to be and when the Shindo preamp came up for sale, i took a chance.

Very happy to report that it is mating well with the EAR power amp and my enjoyment of music and more familiar tracks has gone up multiple folds.

I have read up on user reviews about complete shindo gear and high efficiency speaker aswell. Who knows , maybe someday. For now I am very happy with what the Aurieges preamp is doing in my current system.
I cannot use the mm output on the preamp as I only use the Ortofon spu. And yes I have read up on the Auditorium SUTs which I hear compliment the SPU and the Shindo well. Thanks.

 

[shaizada]

It is much harder to get the level and quality of gear that you are procuring in India. So really, hats off to you to manage what you have done so far. Also, you did a really wise thing by getting the original Shindo power cord for your unit. Those are very special power cords and work really well with the Shindo gear. Most manufacturers throw in generic cord, but Shindo even has that detail covered. Anyhow, very good thinking on your part.

Enjoy the music. My work day has started but I will do the same later this evening.

 

[Sushant Sharma]

It is much harder to get the level and quality of gear that you are procuring in India. So really, hats off to you to manage what you have done so far. Also, you did a really wise thing by getting the original Shindo power cord for your unit. Those are very special power cords and work really well with the Shindo gear. Most manufacturers throw in generic cord, but Shindo even has that detail covered. Anyhow, very good thinking on your part.

Enjoy the music. My work day has started but I will do the same later this evening.

Yes, the pre owned market does not give you as many choices here.
Regarding the power chord, the seller seems unable to find it now and i am trying hard for him to get it. Very disappointed but let's see.

 

[heliumflight]

Having seen the SHINDO Laboratories equipment on multiple internet pages and the glowing positive reviews, it seemed like another beautiful object of desire. Then an advert popped up for the Shindo Aurieges MM preamplifier, and i shot a message to the seller. Multiple rounds of conversations followed over the next few weeks. First time, the conversation didn't go nowhere and I thought to myself its way out of my budget anyways and abandoned the idea. The fourth time or was it the fifth time, we had a deal. The deed was done.

BUYER REMORSE KICK IN EARLY?

Now, i started to think about all else I had read, "complete shindo gear only", "system synergy" "impedance mismatch" and so on. The worry that one piece of gear isn't going to elevate the listening experience and would make it a very expensive punt.

THE AURIEGES

My unit is single chassis and a newer model of the Aurieges made well after the passing of Ken Shindo. The front plate is black and all other sides on the chassis are the Shindo bottle green colour (so wish the front was also bottle green too). The unit arrived and it was spanking new and scratchless with a sheen as promised. The two big gold pots for volume and selector switch in the front and the Shindo logo with the words "sound create producer" ( unusual choice of words that). The build quality and the attention to detail in the making of it, is immaculate. I could just stare it at for hours. The seller forgot to send me the stock power cable and is now sending it.

THIS BOTTLE GREEN CONCOCTION IS HEADY

The usual things you will read up on the Shindo sound are that it doesn't concentrate on any hifi gimmicks and just makes music sound good. What does that mean exactly? Too vague a definition and leaves things in the realm of je na sais quoi.

Once I plugged it on, in my system, the fear of impedance mismatch was done away with ( a buffer in the output, i was told) and I had sweet sound. Cannot use the MM output yet as my cart is MC. Will need a SUT.
After having listened to it for a few days, i can propagate that cliched statement, "it makes music sound great". Everything sounds clearer , crisper and bigger and most importantly very very enjoyable. Sometimes there are details in the music that pop up that I haven't heard before on familiar tracks. Overall, there is a drive and enjoyment to music that i am thoroughly loving. My apologies in not being able to be too descriptive of the sound.
Sitting tight with this preamp and very happy to have gone ahead and made this purchase.View attachment 70470View attachment 70469

I am so happy for your purchase. Maybe I may be the next Shindo buyer one day..

You should match the SUT to the cart you use. eg with Denon 103 there are many which good ones, ideally the denon SUT itself is very good . the Auditorium 23 is really expensive.
With an Ortofon SPU better to look at an ortofon SUT

Arjun, for my understanding can you help me describe the sound of Auditorium 23 Vs Asilive reference interconnect and powercord?

 

[arj]

Arjun, for my understanding can you help me describe the sound of Auditorium 23 Vs Asilive reference interconnect and powercord?

I really have not heard the Auditorium 23 cables...but simply put, i believe they are warm/rounded and take the soundstage to the rear. The ASI cables are more detailed, bring the soundstage forward

 

[Sushant Sharma]

Ok. So all is not well in wonderland. I have this inermittent static coming from the speakers. It develops after some time of music being switched on and not right away and is intermittent.

I changed speakers, interconnects, speaker cables, connected directly to wall plug instead of power strip but no help.

Finally connected my speakers directly to power amp (EAR 890) and no static.

IMPEDANCE MISMATCH, could this be an issue since Shindo pre is 5k impedance and EAR 47K. Somebody said the preamp has a buffer stage which takes care of this.
At my wits end so any help will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[arj]

Ok. So all is not well in wonderland. I have this inermittent static coming from the speakers. It develops after some time of music being switched on and not right away and is intermittent.

I changed speakers, interconnects, speaker cables, connected directly to wall plug instead of power strip but no help.

Finally connected my speakers directly to power amp (EAR 890) and no static.

IMPEDANCE MISMATCH, could this be an issue since Shindo pre is 5k impedance and EAR 47K. Somebody said the preamp has a buffer stage which takes care of this.
At my wits end so any help will be appreciated. Thanks

I am not aware of impedance issues causing static as then it would be a change in sound signature ( eg Anaemic sound, too sharp or no dynamics ) and not intermittent issues like static.

One consideration could be that is its either a tube or a tube socket issue which can cause hissing/sound breaks One issue could be dust and the simplest solution blow into each socket so any dust gets removed. it could also be a the soldering of the tube socket or even the tube itself

 

[Sushant Sharma]

I am not aware of impedance issues causing static as then it would be a change in sound signature ( eg Anaemic sound, too sharp or no dynamics ) and not intermittent issues like static.

One consideration could be that is its either a tube or a tube socket issue which can cause hissing/sound breaks One issue could be dust and the simplest solution blow into each socket so any dust gets removed. it could also be a the soldering of the tube socket or even the tube itself

Thanks Arj for clarifying the impedance issue. I have written to Shindo.

 

[IndianEars]

I speculate that

I am not aware of impedance issues causing static as then it would be a change in sound signature ( eg Anaemic sound, too sharp or no dynamics ) and not intermittent issues like static.

One consideration could be that is its either a tube or a tube socket issue which can cause hissing/sound breaks One issue could be dust and the simplest solution blow into each socket so any dust gets removed. it could also be a the soldering of the tube socket or even the tube itself

I agree with arj. At the very least, pull out & reinsert the tubes a few times from their sockets.

I believe it is most likely a conponent failure... either
Tube or
Capacitor or
resistor.

A failing capacitor is most likely the cause. Finding the intermitent fault is very difficult, and easiest once the component permanently fails.

The manufacturer will probably have some insight, based on their past experience.

Best of luck.

 

[Sushant Sharma]

I speculate that

I agree with arj. At the very least, pull out & reinsert the tubes a few times from their sockets.

I believe it is most likely a conponent failure... either
Tube or
Capacitor or
resistor.

A failing capacitor is most likely the cause. Finding the intermitent fault is very difficult, and easiest once the component permanently fails.

The manufacturer will probably have some insight, based on their past experience.

Best of luck.

Thanks for your inputs @IndianEars I will pull out and reinsert tubes into sockets as suggested. Waiting to hear from the manufacturer.

 

[Hiten]

A loose tube should give the said issue at any time while playing the record but since after some time period of playing vinyl the static noise arises I guess (not sure) sometimes in dry weather static builds up on vinyl record and presents itself as by discharging. Also if any speciality capacitors are used in preamp they need to be looked at.
regards

 

[Sushant Sharma]

Hello everybody,
Shindo wrote back asking about how much volume I am using from the preamp. That reminded me reading up about keeping the volume pot on the shindo higher.
So I turned the system on and reduced the volume from my EAR 890 amp to zero (it has two volume attenuation pots at the back) and just like that the hum/static is gone even when I put my ear tight to the speakers.
I then reduced volume from EAR power to 25 percent and increased volume of shindo pre to 75 percent. Earlier i was keeping volume rougly at 50 percent (maybe slightly more) from both power and preamp..Decent level of volume for me now and no hum at all.

It's only been an hour since i have been playing music but I hope it was much ado about nothing and my apologies. Fingers crossed. Thanks to all of you guys who reached out. Some senior members went over and beyond through personal messages. Very grateful to them, you know who you are. THANKS.