Tube Preamps...I'm sold

Tbooe, with all due respect, I'm glad your very excited regarding auditioning different reference level tube preamps, however let's not jump to the conclusion that they are far superior to the best of the reference solid state preamps around today.

The best of the reference tube/ss preamps sound much more alike then different today. Some still think regarding harmonics( leading edge-body-decay trails of an individual note) that tubes are more "real" sounding, but the great solid state gear I think nails this aspect of sound darn well along with the other virtues(no noise floor-microdetails-slam) that solid state has to offer.

Being a curious audiophile myself, I am now going through an audition of a very highly regarded/respected Japanese tube preamp that sells for $8000.00 to see if I was missing something by not having tubes in my system.

To be totally fair it's still breaking in, however so far it offers no significant sonic virtues over my Placette Active Line Stage. Maybe, a "touch" warmer, maybe, but it does not offer the details and soundstaging abilities that the Placette has. I have not decided if that smidgen of warmth is more "musical/organic" or not, even though it's slightly different.

Also, this linestage, being a tube preamp, should not be left on all the time, it's designer believes that a remote control would damage the sonics, so no remote, and finally the issue of retubing, I know tubes in preamps last for years and some audiophiles enjoy tube rolling, but I find these all to be hassles that I would gladly put up with if I heard something I wanted that could only be provided by a tube preamp.

It always comes down to personnal taste and system synergy regarding the best decision for our systems and enjoying music through it, so I hope you don't jump to the conclusion that a tubed preamp offers you something you can't get with a great solid state preamp, and go alittle further with your auditioning process and try a Placette, the new Bent Audio TAP passive, Accustic Arts MK3 preamp before making up your mind.

Clfcarney, I find your personnal remarks somewhat condescending, however I'll take the high road and respond to your question. But, first some remarks to your statements:

1) I love when my experience differs from others regarding certain pieces the response revolves around, "something most be wrong with your system" or your remark, "WRONG Japanese brand". I said in my orginial remarks to Tbooe that it comes down to personnal taste/system synergy, not who's right or wrong.

2) Take a look at my system and the type of music I listen to. Yes, I love microdynamics, laying in a big natural soundstage along with top/bottom extension, macrodynamics, transparency and above all "real/organic" timbres, so I'm not into a "HIFI" sonic signature at all. I have found alot of highly regarded tube amps and DACS to be very euphonic and not my cup of personnal sonic tea.

3) The preamp that I'm auditioning is the Shindo Labs Mon brisson, as far as I can tell it's a very well respected piece from a great company and designer. As I stated I got it brand new, it now has about 100 plus hours on it, so I still have not come to the conclusion it won't blossom more, but we well see. There was also a mixup regarding it's power cord, I'm using a different one that's recommended for absolute sonic performance, so I'm waiting to get the Shindo power cord before I come to any final conclusions.

3) I wish I was younger, I'm 54, and beginning all over again, to re-experience the first time the beauty of high end audio gear with great music, but your "high brow" statement that, "ss and details" are for young beginners smacks of someone who thinks he knows everything.

I listen to music at least 2 to 3 hours a day, so I think I'm in touch with the music and hope you enjoy your music as much as I enjoy listening to mine.

Clfcarney, well I'm glad you have a sense of humor regarding your own opinion of being condescending, on to your other statements and questions.

1) I prefer not to share the name of the dealer who I got the Shindo preamp, he's a fine gentleman with a great store who made a mistake of not making sure that the Shindo PC was in the unpacked shipping carton. We had a long discussion regarding how the Shindo PC was vital to get the best performance out of the preamp and not to experiement with other PC's. However, since I live in another state, it was not possible to go back and get the Shindo PC, so I'm breaking in the Preamp with a Harmonix Studio Master Cord and will recieve the Shindo PC this week through the mail.

2) Regardless, of what happened concerning the PC my audition period is at least two weeks, so the Shindo will be fully broken in and used with its stock PC before I come to any conclusions regarding its performance in my system.

3) It was also discussed that Mr. Shindo selects what he considers the optimum tubes for voicing his preamps, so tube rolling is not recommended.

4) I'm fully aware that the Shindo is a full function pre not just a line stage, with a highly regarded phono stage. However, without getting into a very subjective debate regarding analog vs digital, I'm not at all interested in vinyl and have not been for over fifteen years. I accept that you experience "the emotional essence and flow" of the music more with analog then digital, I don't. The way you describe what you like in your system's overall signature reminds me of much of the writing style of Sarjan and the boys over on Six Moons website that I find quite entertaining and very mumbo-jumbo and quite silly most of the time. I listen to music for pleasure and enjoyment on an emotional level, not to have a spiritual experience.

4) Quite right, let's have fun and let the music roll.

4)

Clfcarney, let me comment on your statement that, "... 14 different plugs for Placette by Teajay". Yes, I shared on many different threads information on the Placette Active Line Stage regarding its sonic performance, build quality, and its very reasonable price, but not in the context of putting down other people's gear or their listening preferences.

On every review or thread I have ever posted I always state their is no BEST in the world, but many fine pieces of gear and personnal taste and system synergy are always the final factors.

Unfortunely, I believe because of your passion towards your Shindo gear and your unkind remarks towards other's listening preferences, it came across as if you don't have Shindo gear your really can't have a reference system or be involved with the music. That's way, in my opinion, you appeared to be a "schill" to John.

Everyone, including Jonathan the importer of Shindo gear has been a true pleasure to communicate and work with, and in no way was I putting down this fine line of gear. I have come to no conculsion regarding the Shindo preamp in my system yet, but either way I already can tell it's a very fine preamp, it just might be a different "flavor" that I personnally will not like as much in my system compared to other linestages I have auditioned.

Nglaxer, I agree with you regarding the Wyetech Opal preamp, it's a great piece, however it's one of the least "tube" sounding tube preamps I have ever heard. Great details, macrodynamics, and prat, but if Tboooe is looking for some tube "warmth" the Opal would not be the sonic ticket.