Tannoy and Shindo - A Match Made In Heaven?

**Mike** · November 8, 2014, 09:20 AM

Synergy. One of the hardest things to get right in high end audio. Often, pairing great brands together doesn't always work. Yes, working with your local dealer is also another short cut to synergy, but all too often, us audiophiles like to experiment on our own, before occasionally stumbling on a pairing that works.

I've had the pleasure of hearing Paul's Tannoy Westminister/Shindo system twice now. Both times, I've come away with such love for this combination. Paul's addition of a new CD player has also allowed his digital to work more synergistically with this great combination.

The Tannoy WestMinisters are now rated at 20 watts per channel minimum (instead of the previous 50). I've heard Paul's Westies with other amps and to be honest, there is just no comparison to the Westies/Shindo combo. Despite others who are financially motivated, I have no financial interest - only an interest in telling what I heard.

Listening to this combination gave me goosebumps - and this rarely, if ever, happens. It produced the closest absolute sound I have ever heard. The way this combination reproduced the ambiance of live venues was the best I have ever heard. I would consider this combination one of the top 5 I've heard, and maybe top 3 - and this is versus MBL, D5, Strads and other world class speakers you can purchase new today. One could argue that when considering gorgeous looks, efficiency, price, etc....it's easily in the top 2. All you need is a big room!

And yes, since I tell the truth, the Westies do things - many things - better than my own Strads. That's a fact Jack.

Paul's system must be heard.

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**Petro85** · November 8, 2014, 11:09 AM

great write up Mike but you dont want to give paul a big head now.

lmao!!!!!
would you consider the jump from canteburys to westies a huge one or just better?
keeping the size factor out of your opinion? thanks.
Paul glad you have found such a great combo, congrats my friend!!!!

**Jerome W** · November 8, 2014, 11:11 AM

Cool !
Thanks for sharing Mike.
It has been my opinion for a few years now that Shindo amplification can be wonderful with many other speakers than Shindo and DeVore ones.
But my little experience with the Kensington and the Mini made me think that the Prestige line of Tannoy's love power.
I am glad to read that the little Montille ( is that still Paul amp's? ) can drive the big Westminsters.
Can't wait to get my CCQs back home from their check up.
Shindo is pure Magic in audio. I miss mine big time.

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**Mike** · November 8, 2014, 11:18 AM

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**Mike** · November 8, 2014, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by Petro85

great write up Mike but you dont want to give paul a big head now.

lmao!!!!!
would you consider the jump from canteburys to westies a huge one or just better?
keeping the size factor out of your opinion? thanks.
Paul glad you have found such a great combo, congrats my friend!!!!

Thanks Steve. Just as with their comparative sizes - the difference is HUGE - and the Cants are no slouches.

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**Mike** · November 8, 2014, 11:33 AM

http://youtu.be/WzzM_A5zhzI

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**Paul** · November 8, 2014, 11:41 AM

Mike Thank you for kind words . It's always nice to see you and pleasure to have you.

I'm so glad you enjoyed my system

See you soon . safe trip back home.

**joeinid** · November 8, 2014, 12:51 PM

Paul,

Congratulations on having a great system. You've gear swapped your way to heaven. I'd love to listen to it.

**Cucumber_jones** · November 8, 2014, 12:53 PM

Great stuff. Interesting that your conclusion is a little different from your first visit!

**Paul** · November 8, 2014, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Paul,

Congratulations on having a great system. You've gear swapped your way to heaven. I'd love to listen to it.

Joe, You are welcome to come anytime My door is always open for you. Thank you.

Originally Posted by Cucumber_jones

Great stuff. Interesting that your conclusion is a little different from your first visit!

Chris, I think my Westies just got broken in and the CD player that I had wasn't a good match with my system before...Hope Mike chimes in

**Cucumber_jones** · November 8, 2014, 01:33 PM

Well if this is the case I am super happy for you! This is great news. I would love to listen to this system some day. I bet it sounds as good as it looks.

**cmalak** · November 8, 2014, 01:36 PM

Thx for sharing Mike. Congrats Paul.

What is the new CD player that you are using that has made a nice difference for you? Can't tell from your signature. Thx

**MDP** · November 8, 2014, 02:03 PM

Mike, thanks for the update on Paul's system. It must sound fantastic, as you and I have listened together and appreciate the same type of sound.

Paul, Congrats on your fantastic system

I hope to hear it someday !

**Mike** · November 8, 2014, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Cucumber_jones

Great stuff. Interesting that your conclusion is a little different from your first visit!

Paul's Mc CD player wasn't up to snuff. He has things dialed in now.

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**arthurs** · November 8, 2014, 11:26 PM

Someday I will make my way to hear Paul's system, Joe too! My West's are breaking in and I'm going to hear Shindo gear on the 21st and Line Magnetic next week. Lots of fun ahead!

**joeinid** · November 8, 2014, 11:32 PM

Welcome to the forum arthurs! Thank you for joining.

**arthurs** · November 8, 2014, 11:52 PM

Thanks Joe! We chatted in the past about the Rogers Fidelity, how do you think the LM compares?

**joeinid** · November 9, 2014, 12:10 AM

I heard the Rogers briefly on Magico S3 (I think) and I thought it was really nice. The LM is an SET while the Rogers is a more conventional tube amp (not sure the best way to describe it) with triode and ultralinear mode. If you need the power for less efficient speakers, there is no question that the Rogers will be better. However, if you can get away with 24 wpc, in my mind, there will be no question that the LM will be more toward my taste. The LM has tremendous 3D, full meaty tone, sweet highs and amazing bass and fullness. There is an undeniable sense of ease with a big and wide soundstage that you can seemingly walk into. Vocals, especially female, to die for. With a little tube rolling, the LM gets better.

What speakers are you planning to use?

**Paul** · November 9, 2014, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by arthurs

Someday I will make my way to hear Paul's system, Joe too! My West's are breaking in and I'm going to hear Shindo gear on the 21st and Line Magnetic next week. Lots of fun ahead!

Art !!! Finally !!! So glad to see you here. Welcome to AS.

**arthurs** · November 9, 2014, 12:32 AM

Thanks Joe, that makes sense and wasn't a good comparison question now that I re-read it. Speakers are going to be Tannoy Westminster GR, have Raven Audio gear here right now, Melody 845 monos here, going to hear Shindo in Cleveland in a couple weeks, LM next week and getting Dehavilland KE50-A as well as Purity Audio 300B and Reference pre sent for audition at my place. Whew, gonna be fun and busy for a few weeks.

**Mike** · November 9, 2014, 12:33 AM

Welcome Art. Congrats on the Westies!

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**arthurs** · November 9, 2014, 12:33 AM

Hey Paul! Great to be here!

**arthurs** · November 9, 2014, 12:36 AM

Thanks Mike, Westies are great so far. Paul was a pretty big influencer as I dove in without audition. Really happy I made that move.

**Mike** · November 9, 2014, 12:41 AM

You're very lucky Art. They are truly world class.

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**Paul** · November 9, 2014, 12:52 AM

Originally Posted by arthurs

Hey Paul! Great to be here!

Post pics for us

you have most wonderful looking room

**arthurs** · November 9, 2014, 01:04 AM

I'll get better pics at some point but here's a quick one from my phone.

**Paul** · November 9, 2014, 01:27 AM

Excellent how is the Raven sounds art ?

**arthurs** · November 9, 2014, 01:30 AM

Very nice, PP use of 300B gives you some power with all the good things the 300B brings. Built really well. I'm putting some Melody 845 Monos in tomorrow.

**Paul** · November 9, 2014, 01:38 AM

I found my Westies fully broken in about 400 to 500 hours.

Looking forward to hear your impression on different gears. Art.

**joeinid** · November 9, 2014, 01:38 AM

Originally Posted by arthurs

Very nice, PP use of 300B gives you some power with all the good things the 300B brings. Built really well. I'm putting some Melody 845 Monos in tomorrow.

Beautiful room and setup. I bet the Melody will be amazing.

**Glareskin** · November 9, 2014, 03:40 AM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Beautiful room and setup. I bet the Melody will be amazing.

I agree, beautiful room! Congrats Art. I see there are bass traps in the corners but what are the openings in the back wall? Is it an acoustical trick?

**Jerome W** · November 9, 2014, 04:01 AM

Yes,
A superb system Art.
I 'm sure those Westminsters sound wonderful.

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**Julot** · November 9, 2014, 07:57 AM

So Mike (and others), what would you say it is that the Westminsters do better than the Strads? How much would you say it is about having fewer drives.

Goosebumps really are a good measure.

**arthurs** · November 9, 2014, 09:34 AM

Thanks guys, didn't mean to derail the thread. The floating wall is actually an acoustic membrane that does absorption and diffusion due to build and materials of its different sections. The shelves/openings are strictly aesthetic though.

**Mike** · November 9, 2014, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by Julot

So Mike (and others), what would you say it is that the Westminsters do better than the Strads? How much would you say it is about having fewer drives.

Goosebumps really are a good measure.

We cannot separate the Shindo gear out of the equation. With other amps (or a mismatch between the Shindo preamp and all the other amps we tried), the Westies were not reaching their full potential.

So when everything is together, they scale bigger. The soundstage is so precise that I can almost count where the third violinist is sitting. They are pitch perfect. And most importantly, they take all the things I love about the Strads including the cabinet that it tuned perfectly to sing along with the music in a perfect manner allowing you to feel the music in your whole body to next level. They are a big speaker that plays big, with such soul and such precision.

And no, I'm not selling my Strads and getting Westies. I don't have the room. I also don't have the room for D5's, MBL 101Xtremes and lots of other speakers I love. Plus, the Strads get me 95% of the way there and work perfectly in my room.

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**MDP** · November 9, 2014, 10:23 AM

Welcome Art ! Beautiful system !!!!

**arthurs** · November 9, 2014, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by MDP

Welcome Art ! Beautiful system !!!!

Thanks Mark, where are you in North Texas? I'm in North Fort Worth. Mike, which brands of non-Shindo amps did you find mated best with Shindo preamps and which did not? Was there a specific set of specs that mated better with Shindo pre's?

**MDP** · November 9, 2014, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by arthurs

Thanks Mark, where are you in North Texas? I'm in North Fort Worth. Mike, which brands of non-Shindo amps did you find mated best with Shindo preamps and which did not? Was there a specific set of specs that mated better with Shindo pre's?

I'm in Keller.

**arthurs** · November 9, 2014, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by MDP

I'm in Keller.

We'll have to get together sometime! I'm over just North of Saginaw.

**Jerome W** · November 10, 2014, 02:05 AM

To me, the only "problem" with the Westminsters is their size / shape. These are speakers for Lords who live in castles !

The only room where they could go in my house is in the main system but they will look huge there. Anyway they will never make their way in the french stairs to the second floor of the house.
So I will never listen to them !
I prefer not knowing what I'm loosing !

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**NOLG4EVR** · November 10, 2014, 03:16 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Paul's Mc CD player wasn't up to snuff. He has things dialed in now.

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Amazing that an unknown cd player can change an opinion so much.

From rolled off and poor dynamics to possibly the top 2 systems ever heard, even better than Strad's with top tier gear.

How quickly an opinion can change.

Very interesting.

**Mike** · November 10, 2014, 08:07 AM

Huh? Where did I say that? Paul mentioned his Mc CD player was rolled off.

What is your problem?

**dlb2** · November 10, 2014, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by NOLG4EVR

Amazing that an unknown cd player can change an opinion so much.

From rolled off and poor dynamics to possibly the top 2 systems ever heard, even better than Strad's with top tier gear.

How quickly an opinion can change.

Very interesting.

What's the matter, you don't think that a different source can have such a profound effect on the overall sound of a system?

Is it not okay for someone to change their mind a little toward a piece or pieces of gear. Should we all just be stuck in our ways after we turn 30 and bitch and moan about how things aren't like they used to be? Not all of us are here just to chime in every now and then to show what an ass we can be.

**kev313** · November 10, 2014, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by NOLG4EVR

Amazing that an unknown cd player can change an opinion so much.

From rolled off and poor dynamics to possibly the top 2 systems ever heard, even better than Strad's with top tier gear.

How quickly an opinion can change.

Very interesting.

Sometimes it could be the source. Could be the cables. Reviewing is hard.

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**Paul** · November 10, 2014, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by NOLG4EVR

Amazing that an unknown cd player can change an opinion so much.

From rolled off and poor dynamics to possibly the top 2 systems ever heard, even better than Strad's with top tier gear.

How quickly an opinion can change.

Very interesting.

JJ. Let me clear on this.

When first time he came to my house. I didn't have the full shindo gears and No analog set up this was actually first time he heard full shindo gears with proper analog set up. ( you know how good they are together

)

Also I didn't mention the CD player to you coz Its not mine. anyway it's only an oppo 105 cd player that I borrowing from Mark Jones and the difference is day and night compare to my Mc Cd player. It was rolled off and too warm. Not my liking either Mike.

Also Mike heard the O96 with Allnic int amp on my system
again the problem is my cd player

it's a Sony cd player (20 yrs old with dollar cable ) the missing information is coming from that source. I was listening last night and as you know how much I love the O96 I agree on his comments. JJ when he comes next time I will let him hear them with full shindo gears with O96 . I'm sure he will change on his first impression and I hope you won't upset about it

Mike was in this industry for a long time and also he's a musician . I do respect him on his opinion.

Also this is world's best friendly audio forum. Please let's keep it that way. Shall we ?

**Mike** · November 10, 2014, 09:16 AM

I have never heard Paul's full Shindo system until last Friday so I don't understand JJ's comment. I heard his Westies prior with McIntosh and Allnic and was very impressed. How impressed? Well, I ordered a pair of Canterbury's on the spot. The Cants didn't stay because of sound but because of space!

But listening Friday at Paul's was full Shindo and full wow. The Shindo gear took the Westies to a whole new level.

So yes, fully broken in Westies (according to Paul), Shindo amp, Shindo preamp, new CD player was wow.

Before making accusations - get your facts straight. But if you don't think a Shindo amp, Shindo preamp and new source would have that much of an impact, then you're missing something.

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**Mike** · November 10, 2014, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by Paul

Also Mike heard the O96 with Allnic int amp on my system
again the problem is my cd player

it's a Sony cd player (20 yrs old with dollar cable ) the missing information is coming from that source. I was listening last night and as you know how much I love the O96 I agree on his comments.

Thank you Paul. I was beginning to think I was going crazy!

Let's take the Oppo upstairs and connect it to the O/96's next time I'm over (probably this coming Sunday since I'm flying back to Canada on Saturday)?

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**Paul** · November 10, 2014, 09:43 AM

Of cause Mike let's have fun with Orangutan.

Back to this topic.

I absolutely love my Westies and shindo sounds together !!!

**dlb2** · November 10, 2014, 10:07 AM

Paul, you mean you haven't blown that little green amp up yet trying to drive those inefficient speakers with their 15" drivers?
I'm glad you've been able to put together your own system, with your own ideas of gear and have it work so well together.
If the Montille sounds terrific with the Westies I wonder how something like a CCQ would sound?

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**Paul** · November 10, 2014, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by dlb2

Paul, you mean you haven't blown that little green amp up yet trying to drive those inefficient speakers with their 15" drivers?
I'm glad you've been able to put together your own system, with your own ideas of gear and have it work so well together.
If the Montille sounds terrific with the Westies I wonder how something like a CCQ would sound?

Ha! I guess my speakers are not shindo worthy.

I love the synergy together .... actually JJ should take the credit coz he was the one who let me hear the full shindo gears in his beautiful home. Thank you

Sadly the CCQ is no longer available and I was really hoping to hear them.

Thread: Tannoy and Shindo - A Match Made In Heaven?