KeithR
June 22, 2014, 02:58 PM
First, kudos to Matt Rotunda for hosting music events, rather than audiophile gear showcases obsessed about watts and distortion. What a wonderful setup- in a 1920s loft building that was once used as a prop house for the film industry. The large and inviting listening room was mostly free of typical audiophile room treatments and had a beamed ceiling, record shelves on every wall, and lots of little green boxes. Much more like a home, than a demo room. Multiple Garrard turntables were spinning last night and Matt's record collection is spectacular. The loft space was designed for music, not a REW FFT. Matt also has the best bar of any "store" I've ever been to- lots of great bourbon and wine were being consumed!
From Roberta Flack to King Tubby and Elvis to Jack While, Warpaint, and Mogwai- real music was spinning for hours not pretend audiophile bs. Only LPs, but of course. The Shindo Latours were the focus and we started out with a Garrard table into the Shindo EL34 monoblocks. Sound was organic, warm, and musical. Usually these type of setups are dynamically challenged, but on the contrary strings had a particular dynamic quality to them and seemed to leap off the speakers. I've said to friends before, strings on Shindo gear are unparalleled.
We switched to the Shindo Lafons and the GM70s began a journey into SET amplification showing off that spooky inner detail- and perhaps ironically a little less warm sound than the Corton Charlemagnes. Bass was warm, but deep and with impact. This is all about texture and flow, not about imaging or hearing triangle chimes in a 1" spot in the soundstage- the big bottle SET produced a shove that worked quite well. Soundstage was very natural and 3D with decays that were long and drifting. It was the kind of setup you could listen to for days and never be fatigued. You tended to forget about the gear entirely. On a bit of a side note, when I read some reviews on this website, I'm always struck about how I listen differently- people tend to get overwhelmed with bass response, imaging, and other audiophile terms- but never comment on instrument flow, attack, resolution, texture, and decay. This is what Shindo is about.
One of the gentlemen (a Shindo preamp owner) begged to put on the WE 300Bs, so that came up next. On a Mogwai track, the room went quiet and the sound was transcendental- just amazingly warm and resolute sound. You really felt like you were in the music. Most there preferred the 300Bs, although while the midrange resolution was stunning, I found it a bit warm for me. The GM70s seemed a bit more balanced and dynamic and were my preference - but at this level, its all about taste. I had never heard a full Shindo setup, so it was quite an experience and I can see the draw to the system. Compared with a Magico/Constellation demo the previous week, it was on an entirely different level. It was organic and musical, but not lacking detail. If I had a criticism on the sound (every system has faults, including my own), I felt that a bit of air was missing on top. Again, this is probably more presentation than anything. I joked with Matt that a 50k stereo Constellation amp made little sense as an entire Shindo setup (Masseto/Lafons) costs 30% less and is eminently more satisfying.
I look forward to returning (and hope to hear the Devore O96s)- Matt's a dealer who does things right and deserves the great reviews. If there is anything I lusted for the next day, I have to admit it was the amazing space (with Matt's LP collection)!
Cheers,
KeithR
From Roberta Flack to King Tubby and Elvis to Jack While, Warpaint, and Mogwai- real music was spinning for hours not pretend audiophile bs. Only LPs, but of course. The Shindo Latours were the focus and we started out with a Garrard table into the Shindo EL34 monoblocks. Sound was organic, warm, and musical. Usually these type of setups are dynamically challenged, but on the contrary strings had a particular dynamic quality to them and seemed to leap off the speakers. I've said to friends before, strings on Shindo gear are unparalleled.
We switched to the Shindo Lafons and the GM70s began a journey into SET amplification showing off that spooky inner detail- and perhaps ironically a little less warm sound than the Corton Charlemagnes. Bass was warm, but deep and with impact. This is all about texture and flow, not about imaging or hearing triangle chimes in a 1" spot in the soundstage- the big bottle SET produced a shove that worked quite well. Soundstage was very natural and 3D with decays that were long and drifting. It was the kind of setup you could listen to for days and never be fatigued. You tended to forget about the gear entirely. On a bit of a side note, when I read some reviews on this website, I'm always struck about how I listen differently- people tend to get overwhelmed with bass response, imaging, and other audiophile terms- but never comment on instrument flow, attack, resolution, texture, and decay. This is what Shindo is about.
One of the gentlemen (a Shindo preamp owner) begged to put on the WE 300Bs, so that came up next. On a Mogwai track, the room went quiet and the sound was transcendental- just amazingly warm and resolute sound. You really felt like you were in the music. Most there preferred the 300Bs, although while the midrange resolution was stunning, I found it a bit warm for me. The GM70s seemed a bit more balanced and dynamic and were my preference - but at this level, its all about taste. I had never heard a full Shindo setup, so it was quite an experience and I can see the draw to the system. Compared with a Magico/Constellation demo the previous week, it was on an entirely different level. It was organic and musical, but not lacking detail. If I had a criticism on the sound (every system has faults, including my own), I felt that a bit of air was missing on top. Again, this is probably more presentation than anything. I joked with Matt that a 50k stereo Constellation amp made little sense as an entire Shindo setup (Masseto/Lafons) costs 30% less and is eminently more satisfying.
I look forward to returning (and hope to hear the Devore O96s)- Matt's a dealer who does things right and deserves the great reviews. If there is anything I lusted for the next day, I have to admit it was the amazing space (with Matt's LP collection)!
Cheers,
KeithR