Shindo Masseto Tubes and Fuses

I hope you are going to get this response a lot: Don't mess with it! Ken Shindo builds his equipment very specifically and I can say from experience you will be able to change the sound but it ultimately won't be for the better. I've tried different footers, different power cords, varying amp stands and various interconnects with my Shindo equipment. Not until I put the preamp and amp on maple stands and used the Shindo power cords did the sound start to sound "right." Further improvements come with Shindo's upgraded power cords and Shindo interconnects. Shindo dealers will tell you the samething and the reviewers (no matter what publication they are from) seem to agree. Its not just marketing hype. The last thing is don't start tube rolling. The whole circuit, and therefore much of what you paid for, was designed by Ken Shindo for the specific tube he decided to use in that piece. If you need backups get the exact same type tube. I have not changed the fuses in my Shindo but I firmly believe Ken Shindo has tried different fuses and decided on the specific fuse that is there. I know that is what he does with EVERYTHING that goes into his equipment - over the years I have finally learned to trust his judgment.

Hatari, I used the Gold Lion reissues and Hi-Fi Tuning fuses in a pair of Dynaco MKIIIs. I thought they made significant improvements to those amps. On my Shindo gear I've used pretty much every footer/tube dampener offered by Mapleshade and Herbie and various powercords from Nordost, Cardas, PS Audio and a few others. What I think happens is the balance of the Shindo sound starts to change. The bass my sound more solid which then makes the treble sound more recessed. The midrange my be spotlighted which makes the bass sound too soft. Things get out of wack so then you start fiddling more - change the interconnects, move the speakers, go back to that other footer, etc, etc, etc. I finally decided to just get off that merry-go-around and listen to the music...