FS Shindo Monbrison preamplifier

[petrat]

Legendary preamplifier, hand-built in Japan and designed by the late Ken Shindo. Rare 240 volt version, complete with original valves.

The phonostage is switchable on the rear of the case from mm to mc, and has inputs for both. The mc stage is for low output, low impedance cartridges (30dB Lundahl SUTs built-in, together with resistors to load cartridge to around 30ohms). I used it successfully with SPUs and Audio Note Io, but would also be ideal for Ortofon Cadenza, Transfiguration, Koetsu, etc.

The original Switchcraft rca connectors spring clips had been 'opened out' by previous owners using oversize plugs, and were not making good contact, so were replaced, where necessary, with good quality Audio Note silver ones. They could be restored to the Switchcraft ones (cheap and easily obtained) again by any technician.

This comes with a range of high quality spare valves, but not the original mains lead.

When last offered new in the USA, these were selling for over $9K. For sale at £3500. UK sales only ... I will not ship this, but am happy to deliver/meet, etc. Please pm me for further details, and demos.

Apologies for the low quality phone shots.

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/Mobile%20Uploads/20160521_072651_zpsmxqrj1vj.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160521_072651_zpsmxqrj1vj.jpg.html)

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/Mobile%20Uploads/20160521_072731_zpsxem4sfsy.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160521_072731_zpsxem4sfsy.jpg.html)

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/Mobile%20Uploads/20160521_072757_zpsiaunmpno.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160521_072757_zpsiaunmpno.jpg.html)

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/Mobile%20Uploads/20160521_072933_zpsjidjp7po.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160521_072933_zpsjidjp7po.jpg.html)

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/Mobile%20Uploads/20160521_073929_zps9zh6nia6.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160521_073929_zps9zh6nia6.jpg.html)

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/Mobile%20Uploads/20160521_074209_zpssokfxbam.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160521_074209_zpssokfxbam.jpg.html)

[Lawrence001]

what a beauty inside, didn't know they made anything like this any more, nice to see Japanese high end is keeping the build quality of the 50s going.

[Firebottle]

Not heard one but second to none reputation.

What are you replacing it with?

[petrat]

What are you replacing it with?

Probably a Honda Civic :rolleyes:

[petrat]

Would love to keep it, but needs must.
If I had to focus on one aspect, it would be the astonishingly realistic timbre and tone.
As a piece of machinery, it also has the quietest (lowest noise/hum/hiss) valve phonostage I've ever heard.

[hifinutt]

wow I have heard these and they are very special
this won`t be around long

[WESTLOWER]

Fantastic piece of kit….
Buy with total confidence from Peter, very good to deal with…extremely accommodating and honest chap.
Although...he does have a Rat in a cage in his living room!

QUOTE=petrat;758793]Would love to keep it, but needs must.
If I had to focus on one aspect, it would be the astonishingly realistic timbre and tone.
As a piece of machinery, it also has the quietest (lowest noise/hum/hiss) valve phonostage I've ever heard.[/QUOTE]

[Audio Al]

:eek::wow::eek:

If only I had the money :(

That looks special :)

[petrat]

Bump.

[petrat]

Valves currently fitted:

EF83 Mullard (2)
ECC82 SLC (1)
ECL84 Philips (2)
ECL82 Mazda (1)
6X4 Philips (1)

Alternatives provided:

EF83 Telefunken (2)
ECC82 Mullard CV4003 (2)
ECL84 Mullard (3)
ECL82 Mazda (3)

[anubisgrau]

is there a difference to a version you often see online, with tubes visible on front panel?

[petrat]

Yes, there is. Ken Shindo hoarded NOS components in his warehouse, bulk-buying up anything he fancied over the decades. His products were designed to optimise the use of those components, which meant he was sometimes forced to change the design as he used up critical components. The Monbrison I have is the original version. The later one had the window in the front, and was a re-designed version. A couple of years ago, Shindo stopped making them entirely, presumably as they had run out of some critical components. This one for sale is stuffed full of rare NOS capacitors and resistors. In essence, all his amplifiers were/are limited editions ... limited by how many of the NOS components he had in the warehouse. Shindo do keep spare components for repairs, though.

[anubisgrau]

Thanks, this is useful info. Sadly it has an output impedance too high for my system, although I would be closer to you, I would give it a try in my system.

[petrat]

That so-called information on the web about it having a 5K output impedance is wrong. It was a result of Ken Shindo quoting the lowest load impedance that would work with it as 5K Ohms ... meaning a power amp having an input impedance of 5K or more. He only spoke Japanese, and something got lost in translation to English. I used the Monbrison, for quite a few weeks, with a solid state amp with 20K Ohm input impedance, with no loss of frequency extremes or volume. It was spectacularly good, actually.

[anubisgrau]

thanx for that. i was also very surprised with 5k info but i thought he had something in mind as a designer. this makes much more sense, i think i've never heard of a pre with output impedance higher than 1.5k or like that.

[petrat]

This has been 100% reliable in the two years I have owned it. Ken Shindo designed his circuits to run valves very conservatively, so giving long life. IMO, the sound of this preamp is highly 'lifelike' in its presentation, giving a 'solidity' to the music whilst still maintaining all the detail, but not in an 'etched' hifi fashion. It has a superb power supply, which ensures very low noise levels (better than some solid state I've owned) and excellent dynamics when needed. Any questions, please pm. Thanks!

p.s. I will deliver/meet anywhere in the UK, half way from Northampton if a long haul. I am really very reluctant to ship this, but if you are genuinely interested, and there is no chance of meeting up, let's talk about how it might be done safely.

[petrat]

OK, so at least we are establishing that I have no talent at photography ... anyway, it says under the logo that it is a Sound Create Producer, so it must be good :)

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/PetratHiFi%202013/PlatineVerdier009_zpsb8325d53.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/PetratHiFi%202013/PlatineVerdier009_zpsb8325d53.jpg.html)

[Berni217]

I have just received my Monbrison (newer version with the valves on display through the front panel window) directly from Keith @ Auditorium 23. All I can say is WOW... Much better than the Aurieges + a magnificent MM/MC phono stage.
I paid much more than Pete's asking price, which surely should be a great deal for someone looking for an end point Pre-amp.
B.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[petrat]

Thanks Bernard.

Shindo has quite a following in the States ... http://www.audioaficionado.org/shindo-labs/

[petrat]

Still available.

[petrat]

Still available.

[petrat]

I'll be away from the internet from 15th to 27th July. I'll answer any PMs when I get back.

[NeilNZ]

Amazed you are selling this! It's such a beautiful piece...

[Berni217]

Amazed this still has not sold. What's wrong with people? Unless this is another ripple effect of the Britxit! [emoji855][emoji856]


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[corgi 1]

if I could afford this I would have it in a heartbeat but alas a grand short ! but GLWTS

[Mika K]

This is some beautiful piece of art. Wish I had some funds available at the moment..

[petrat]

I have now returned from hols. PM me if you're seriously interested ... see if we can sort out a demo, maybe.

[WOStantonCS100]

I would love to see pics of your full system; inspiring to me. This is where I think I'm headed: fewer components, specifically picked for the sonic attributes I can't live without.

[petrat]

Rather lengthy ramble through the last few years here .... http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?25422-PetRat-HiFi
Happy to answer any questions in that thread.

[petrat]

Olympic Games bump

:grouphug:

[petrat]

50 medal bump.

[WESTLOWER]

Can't believe this great piece is still here!
Top bloke to deal with to boot! :)
GLWTS

[Mika K]

Why I keep coming always back too this topic.. :rolleyes:

[petrat]

September bump.

[petrat]

Sold STP

[WESTLOWER]

Someone will be VERY Happy, hope you don't regret this one Peter!

[Mika K]

:smoking: