Thread: Shindo CC80 vs CCQ

Jerome has the CCQ amps and another friend of mine has the CC80 amps. Can anyone describe the differences sonically and otherwise?

Would either be sonically superior to D'Yquems on 100db efficient speakers?

I know there is a lot of "depends" in the answers....but just generally speaking.


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Mike,
Just my guess since I never heard the D'Yquem amps.
SET amplifiers are just the best technical option to amplify a signal. With the adequate speaker, and a more than 100 dB speakers is adequate, at least if the load presented to the amp is above 6 or 8 ohms, then a SET gives a pure and direct sound : you feel instantly connected to the performance.
A push pull amplifier never achieves this level of connection to the source. It may sound extremely good, it still misses the last degrees of the magic of the SET.
With the right speaker, I have zero doubt that the D'Yquem will be musically superior to both the CCQs or the CC80.



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For which speakers?

I preferred the Lafons to both CCQ and WE300bs. Have not heard the 80s though believe Matt has a used pair for sale.

I think the shindo amps are more about flavor though.

Originally Posted by kev313

Which Lafons?

GM70s

Originally Posted by arthurs

The Lafons were plenty visceral the day I heard them, I'm targeting them for my West's but wonder about higher powered Shindo as well.

did you ever try the Melody amps? Would love to hear a Melody vs LM comparison. Which tubes did you end up deciding on the for the LM?

Originally Posted by countingbackwards

There likely won't be too many people that have heard both amps, as there were only approx. 10 pairs of CCQ produced to my knowledge. Mine are #17 and 18, and were produced a year ago. As the model is now discontinued - CCQs will be hard to find.

I actually have heard both amps in my system, though not on the same day. Keep in mind that any comments are specific to my experience with my Verity Parsifals.

They are quite different amps despite inexplicably having similar names. The sound, tube complements, aesthetics - everything is different. I'd be curious to know why they share a name.

The CC80 is an excellent sounding amp, with that flow that Shindo is known for, and a nice top-to-bottom coherence. However, it has FAR less juice than the CCQ - CC80s can sound a bit stressed under the same load that CCQ's handle with grace. CCQ's have this uncanny ability to sound almost SET-like when playing low-level music, and yet they come ALIVE when the music gets more complex. By comparison, the CC80s sound a bit compressed to me, a little less "glowing" on low-level music and a little less exciting on more dynamic passages. As would be expected from an amp putting out half the power with new-production KT88's (as compared to the CCQ and its NOS EL-34's).

Sonically, the biggest difference is that the CCQs are richer sounding and a bit more "right". It's very much like the difference between a Monbrison and a Giscours: the CC80 is excellent in its own right, but the CCQ is better. To my ears.

As to Shindo SET - I haven't heard any, due to preferring speakers requiring more power. If I had your speakers, I'd certainly consider the D'Yquems though, but it can be hard to find ways to audition Shindo amps properly.


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What a great post. Thank you. Would love to see a picture of your system.

Also, have you heard the Lafon GM70's?


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Apologies- have heard the CC, not the CCQ. Really confusing nomenclature.

Originally Posted by KeithR

Apologies- have heard the CC, not the CCQ. Really confusing nomenclature.

Just double the power...


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The CCQs never failed to impress me.
They are power beasts and to my very own and personal ears, they made my 2301 bite the dust in direct comparison on the Wilson WP8's.
They sounded more powerful than the 300W Mcs, but also faster, more delicate and more refined. They subjectively seem to go lower and higher : much more opened at both ends of the spectrum.
They also sounded perfectly balanced and musical with the Rega RS10 speakers.
With my Harbeth 40.1, I had first a bass issue with them : invasive and huge powerful bass swallowing the rest of the spectrum.
Better isolation of the 40.1 and better position in the room solved the problem. Lots of work though.
To my ears, the 40.1 sound stunning with the CCQs.
Full, balanced, dynamic, refined....put all the terms of the audio bliss you want.
My 200W 2205 does not come close to them. The 225 is magic too but cannot reach the weight and presence of the CCQs.
Too bad Shindo discontinued the CCQs. They are tremendous amplifiers that I will keep for life.
I know that I am giving up a few degrees of magic bliss compared to a good SET though, and I would be very curious to hear them against the Wavac 805 monoblocks.



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Originally Posted by Mike

What a great post. Thank you. Would love to see a picture of your system.

Also, have you heard the Lafon GM70's?


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Being one owner out of ten pairs really makes you feel.....blessed !!


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Originally Posted by arthurs

I did and found the Melody very nice but ultimately didn't have the refined sound, layering and space the LM does. I'm waiting on Psvane WE300B replicas and Amperex Holland long plates for the 12AX7.

cool. which 845s were used in both?

Originally Posted by arthurs

How much SET bliss do you think one gives up with CCQ?

I really cannot answer this question.
Last night I was thinking that the CCQs are really the best amps I ever heard.
But excellent SET's on adequate speakers can take us a bit further. How big is this "bit" depends to your ears and your emotional sensibility.



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As I said, I would be very curious to hear "powerful" SETs on my speakers.
The Wavacs 805 are an option at 55W but there are also SET's made on these "super 300B'" ( 300B XLS Emission Labs or 300B XL KR or the 300B-C Shuguang ) that can reach 24W of power. Halgorythme, a french manufacturer having a large success here has very interesting models and some friends told me that they sound divine.




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Originally Posted by arthurs

Those look nice! I'm really torn between higher powered like CCQ versus SET like LaFon GM70 for my Westminster GR's...

Seems that Paul have great results with the litlle Montille so the Lafon GM70 should be more than enough...



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Halgorythme just released their new high powered SETs : the PSE 1605 ( Parallel SE ) with Emission Labs tubes.
2 x 48W of pure bliss.
He is now accepting orders from Canada and US.
He already sold 2 pairs there.
These are the very best amps I ever heard. Outstanding built quality and point to point wiring.
Retail price in France is 9000 euros for the pair VAT included.

Jerome...you may wNt to start a new thread on the Halgorythme amps as this may get lost in this thread.

Originally Posted by cmalak

Jerome...you may wNt to start a new thread on the Halgorythme amps as this may get lost in this thread.

You're right Cyril.
Will do.

Originally Posted by arthurs

Waiting to hear back from Cedric....somebody's gotta go first....

Art, Haven't found your destination amps yet ?

Originally Posted by arthurs

Waiting to hear back from Cedric....somebody's gotta go first....

Art : you have to be patient. Bart ordered the PSE and will get them only in september ! The waiting list is very long. "Haute Couture" takes time. And remember, we love holidays in France !

Originally Posted by arthurs

more like I'm building a lineup Paul!

Im done. Enjoy your journey Art