Shindo Owners Past and Present - Cable Choices

[AudioHR]

I am assuming that there will be some past and present Shindo fans our there. Forgive me if this has been discussed before or is in the wrong forum.

I am quite enjoying my new Shindo Monbrison and Cortese 300b. Very musical and real as opposed to hifi, but we won't get into that .

My inquiry is about interconnects and speaker cabling. There is a mystique about this and the Auditorium A23 and/or the actual Shindo cables are highly recommended. Shindo owners are there other cables that you could recommend? Like Luna which seems to be aimed at the SET crowd.

No agenda here but I have just begun a demo on the Luna Amber speaker cables and well while my observations are preliminary I am impressed.

 

[BruceD]

As an ex-Shindo component owner --and past user of the Factory recommended and A23 cabling--it was adequate and conveyed the Shindo mantra as designed-- however I did find other branded wires appealed to my tastes more--so yes go ahead and experiment -your choice .

The crux of the factory specifying their products I feel is aligned to the their use of M/F Switchcraft connectors which terminate firmly and precisely if rather delicate and require careful handling.

Some others you may find not so convenient and fit as smoothly as the above combination.
Good Luck,

BruceD

 

[Petrat]

Agreed. There's a risk of damaging the rca sockets on Shindo gear if you use some of the more extreme plugs. I had a secondhand Monbrison where a couple of the input sockets had their centre contacts trashed through being forced.

 

[AudioHR]

As an ex-Shindo component owner --and past user of the Factory recommended and A23 cabling--it was adequate and conveyed the Shindo mantra as designed-- however I did find other branded wires appealed to my tastes more--so yes go ahead and experiment -your choice .

The crux of the factory specifying their products I feel is aligned to the their use of M/F Switchcraft connectors which terminate firmly and precisely if rather delicate and require careful handling.

Some others you may find not so convenient and fit as smoothly as the above combination.
Good Luck,

BruceD

Thanks Bruce! Yes I had heard that one must be careful with non Switchcraft cables. In fact if I believe there is a warning on the information provided.

 

[c_ocobean1]

@AudioHR New to Shindo. Been living with my Cortese F2a amp and Monbrison Pre for the last few months and been very pleased using Luna (Mauve) cables all around. I just ordered Luna Mauve speaker cables, but have not placed them into the system yet. I did use the Luna Gris cables for a bit and Belden 9497, which are very cheap and work quite well. Hope this helps some.

 

[djsina2]

Shindo IC and SC I found to be vastly superior to A23.

 

[AudioHR]

@AudioHR New to Shindo. Been living with my Cortese F2a amp and Monbrison Pre for the last few months and been very pleased using Luna (Mauve) cables all around. I just ordered Luna Mauve speaker cables, but have not placed them into the system yet. I did use the Luna Gris cables for a bit and Belden 9497, which are very cheap and work quite well. Hope this helps some.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Actually I am rather new to the Shindo world too. I am quite enjoying it as for me it has a more musical and less hifi sound than what seems to be popular today.

There are many advocates for the Auditorium 23 cables with Shindo so I wanted to try it but it is hard to come by in Canada. Luna seemed to be an alternative as from all reports it is aimed at the tube friendly market and the designer was once a CDF tech. Coupe de Fronde is the go to Shindo dealer in Canada from what I can gather.

Just recently a dealer offered me a chance to audition/break in a new pair of Luna Mauve speaker cables so I was interested to see how they would sound compared to my ageing Wireworld speaker cables. Now I am in the cables/ interconnects can make a positive difference camp but I was really not expecting a huge difference as the devil is in the details in this hobby.

So I put them in knowing that they likely needed some break in time. You know whenever I use this term the skeptic voice in my head laughs but my experience tell me it's a real thing! I liked the old school construction of the cable and while I didn't know what they would cost I figured the cable maker was serious about his craft. Actually they sounded nice, right away! In fact I found myself just enjoying the music rather than auditioning the cable.

After a few weeks of listening what do I think. Usually at this point I would reinstall my old component/ cables to compare but I didn't do that in this case, I just bought them!

 

[DeadWax]

The crux of the factory specifying their products I feel is aligned to the their use of M/F Switchcraft connectors which terminate firmly and precisely if rather delicate and require careful handling.

A Shindo dealer near me suggested that replacing switchcraft posts be performed every 10 years as routine maintenance. I try to just leave a dedicated Shindo or A23 IC in place indefinitely figuring that would obviate the need to perform such measures.

 

[AudioHR]

A Shindo dealer near me suggested that replacing switchcraft posts be performed every 10 years as routine maintenance. I try to just leave a dedicated Shindo or A23 IC in place indefinitely figuring that would obviate the need to perform such measures.

I would think that if you are not constantly changing connections you will be as you expect just fine.

 

[AudioHR]

A quick update on my experiences so far with speaker cables from my Shindo Cortese 300b to my Coherent Audio Neo 15 speakers.

I originally started with some older Wireworld Equinox . They were fine, very listenable.

As I had the chance to listen to the Luna Mauve I placed them into my system. These cables seemed to be aimed at the SET tube amp lover If not Shindo in particular. Even new they were a noticeable step up from the Wireworld , very musical presentation. I purchased them without hesitation!

The Auditorium A23 cables are often associated with Shindo. I wanted to try them but they seemed hard to come by. After I had acquired the Luna I was able to purchased a used pair from a trusted source. I can see why they are associated with Shindo they sound really good.

Are they better than the Luna Mauve? When I first put the A23 in I found myself just listening to the music, in fact it was one of those nights where you could listen forever. I wasn't really fixated on comparing cables I was just enjoying every thing I played. This is a good thing!

Still I had really enjoyed the Luna so I haven't made any final decisions. They could probably use a little more seasoning so I plan to take my time. I don't need two sets of speaker wires but it isn't a hardship to listen to either of these. We will see, lol

 

[Juiced]

Shindo sound best with Shindo

Siltech and Stealth Audio silver cables are good option

 

[AudioHR]

Shindo sound best with Shindo

Siltech and Stealth Audio silver cables are good option

Yes Shindo with Shindo makes good sense! Although not a given.

So far in my listening I would say speaker cable wise that the Auditorium A23 and the Luna Mauve work very well. The Mauve is already a fairly pricy cable for the audiophile public, the Red I believe is their top model, perhaps it is even better . In this forum perhaps price is not an issue! So what's best. Lol

 

[djsina2]

Going from A23 SC to Shindo SC was a bigger improvement for me than going from A23 IC to Shindo IC.

 

[AudioHR]

Going from A23 SC to Shindo SC was a bigger improvement for me than going from A23 IC to Shindo IC.

Thank you that is an excellent observation.

 

[essrand]

A quick update on my experiences so far with speaker cables from my Shindo Cortese 300b to my Coherent Audio Neo 15 speakers.

I originally started with some older Wireworld Equinox . They were fine, very listenable.

As I had the chance to listen to the Luna Mauve I placed them into my system. These cables seemed to be aimed at the SET tube amp lover If not Shindo in particular. Even new they were a noticeable step up from the Wireworld , very musical presentation. I purchased them without hesitation!

The Auditorium A23 cables are often associated with Shindo. I wanted to try them but they seemed hard to come by. After I had acquired the Luna I was able to purchased a used pair from a trusted source. I can see why they are associated with Shindo they sound really good.

Are they better than the Luna Mauve? When I first put the A23 in I found myself just listening to the music, in fact it was one of those nights where you could listen forever. I wasn't really fixated on comparing cables I was just enjoying every thing I played. This is a good thing!

Still I had really enjoyed the Luna so I haven't made any final decisions. They could probably use a little more seasoning so I plan to take my time. I don't need two sets of speaker wires but it isn't a hardship to listen to either of these. We will see, lol

I am in the same boat as you. But unable to source A23 cables despite my best attempts.

Currently trying out Luna Orange vs my existing Acoustic Revive cables. Will report back. Your observations are very useful to me, we have the same amp.

 

[AudioHR]

I am in the same boat as you. But unable to source A23 cables despite my best attempts.

Currently trying out Luna Orange vs my existing Acoustic Revive cables. Will report back. Your observations are very useful to me, we have the same amp.

I see used Auditorium A23 speaker cables on the US and Canuck Audio Mart fairly often, the interconnects less so but I have seen them.

With the Cortese I settled on the Auditorium A23's. The Luna Mauve I use when I fire up my Decware Zen Triode. Will probably cycle back on this just to confirm.

What speakers are you using?

 

[essrand]

I see used Auditorium A23 speaker cables on the US and Canuck Audio Mart fairly often, the interconnects less so but I have seen them.

With the Cortese I settled on the Auditorium A23's. The Luna Mauve I use when I fire up my Decware Zen Triode. Will probably cycle back on this just to confirm.

What speakers are you using?

Speakers are Devore O96.

Thanks, will keep an eye out on audiomart.

 

[essrand]

Reporting back: Luna Orange is not working out for me, a bit too recessed in the highs, and lacking in resolution. I like the lush signature, but losing too much information.

Next will try A23 or Luna Mauve if any appear in the used market.

 

[Trab]

A23 are unique and underestimated imo. There is something special about them, probably in the midrange - the resolution and coherence, ease and pleasure, I would call. Plenty of details with audible differentiation between sounds creates the feeling of the sound being authentic.
I had cables more dynamic, with stronger bass, treble, feeling of space, black background, but like was written above, you simply find yourself listening to music with this undecorated rca.
Not for everybody, but for some it is simply special, hard to achieve similar results other way. I hear, and miss if Auditorium rca is not in my system.
Buy, it is not so expensive, and try from time to time. Get familiar with the sound, as it may take some time. Meanwhile focus on speaker cables and power cord - my recommendation for Jorma Prime (only „Prime”) if you look for full bodied, dynamic kick.
That said, never had a chance to try silver Schindo rca.
I had Luna Orange speaker cables for circa two years.
Be careful, A23 are directional.

 

[essrand]

A23 are unique and underestimated imo. There is something special about them, probably in the midrange - the resolution and coherence, ease and pleasure, I would call. Plenty of details with audible differentiation between sounds creates the feeling of the sound being authentic.
I had cables more dynamic, with stronger bass, treble, feeling of space, black background, but like was written above, you simply find yourself listening to music with this undecorated rca.
Not for everybody, but for some it is simply special, hard to achieve similar results other way. I hear, and miss if Auditorium rca is not in my system.
Buy, it is not so expensive, and try from time to time. Get familiar with the sound, as it may take some time. Meanwhile focus on speaker cables and power cord - my recommendation for Jorma Prime (only „Prime”) if you look for full bodied, dynamic kick.
That said, never had a chance to try silver Schindo rca.
I had Luna Orange speaker cables for circa two years.
Be careful, A23 are directional.

Just to be clear you are talking about the RCA interconnects right, not the A23 speaker cables?

I have the Shindo and A23 ICs, unable to source the speaker cables.

Jorma prime, is this your recommendation for power cords or speaker cables?