Shindo Cortese - First Impressions


Yesterday, I picked up my new (to me) Shindo Cortese from Matt at Pitch Perfect Audio in San Francisco. Even though the amp was a trade-in from another customer who was moving up the Shindo line, It looked perfect and like new in every way.

I've only listened to the amp for 4 to 5 hours. Too soon for a long term review, but enough for a quick first impression.

For those who might not be familiar with it, the Cortese is 10W/ch amp based on the industrial strength Siemens F2A tube and it's an SET (Single-Ended Triode) design.

On the 1-10 Alberto's Audio Deliciousness Scale, this amp is not a 10, not even an 11, it's a 12! Seriously!

I never thought a manufacturer would have the "bollocks" to create something that is so insanely delicious and so forgiving that it has to polarize anyone who listens. The Cortese does not walk a fine line between analytical and musical (to use some common audiophile terms) -- it steps over that line, takes twenty steps toward musical side, drops its trousers and moons anyone and anything on the other side.

After an hour of listening, I realized that this amp is voiced the exact way I would voice an amp if I knew how. Warm, liquid, continuous with a round and tuneful bass that belies its measly 10W per channel, a midrange to die for (but that was expected based on the SET design) and a treble that ...

... Ah, yes, the treble. At first I though "There's some trouble with the treble." For the first time in years, I found myself (me of bat-like-ears and super-sensitivity to harsh or excessive highs) thinking "I need more treble." The treble was there, smooth and extended, but a bit too "timid" -- cymbals sounded as if the drummer was holding back a little, the upper harmonics on horns and strings were also a bit muted. It sounded delicious - but too delicious and forgiving.

But I knew that there's no way this amp would have been one of Stereophile's Art Dudley's long term favorites -- or none of the other reviewers -- if the treble was this gentle and forgiving.

I knew what was "wrong": My entire system (including cables) and room treatment, had been chosen and designed to deal with harsh or excessive treble from lesser recordings. I had accepted the fact that I needed tone controls to tame a good 30% of my favorite recordings. But not with the Cortese. The treble on this puppy is so smooth that I adjusted the tweeter cross-over on Tannoys from -1.5dbs to +1.5dbs! Now the treble was just right for my tastes. It might still be a bit too gentle and rolled off for others, but keep in mind that everything in my system (including the Tannoys) is very forgiving and I have a feeling that with more neutral speakers it's going to be right for almost everyone (OK, perhaps not for people who prefer the sound signature of manufacturers like Krell.)

There's not much to add about the mid-range. It's your run of the mill, magical SET sound. Perfection to my ears.

The bass was the most pleasant, although somewhat anticipated, suprise. The Cortese has the most tuneful and extended bass I've ever had in my system. I had some thoughts of getting a larger pair of Tannoys and I kept taking the subwoofers on and off my system. With the bass from the Cortese any desire for larger Tannoys has evaporated, subs will probably go to the garage next week - who needs them. I might even move the speakers further away from the wall since I moved them closer to get more bass with the Montille. The depth and "chest impact" of the bass is one thing, the other is the tuneful aspect of it. Every bass note is distinct - the opposite of one-note-bass.

Soundstage: wider but also about 2' taller. I love a high soundstage. Even though the speaker drivers are less than 3' off the ground, the sound stage is easily at 6-7'. This means I can sit on my chair and look "up" to the music as if I was in a concert. I love it!

That's it for a first pass. In the days and weeks to come, I will play around with different cables since now I no longer have to worry about having cables that are too resolving.

If I sound ecstatic and overjoyed, it's because I am. I knew that this amp was a step in the right direction for me. I knew it would be more delicious than any other amp that has graced my system, but I was not prepared for an amp that said:

"Here Alberto - Mr. Delicious - try ME out, I am just for you. You can now play ALL your records and forget about tone controls and loudness and subwoofer and bigger speakers. I AM your tone controls. I AM your loudness. Pack your subwoofers, forget bigger speakers for your little room. I have it all. Just for you my friend. Enjoy me ... and spread the word to other delicious sound hounds."

OK, enough writing. I am going to forget that today is a spectacular sunny day in the SF Bay Area and go do more listening. The pull of the Cortese is stronger than the pull of the mighty sun!

Alberto (Delicious Sound Hound)
as1963
6550c: "Why would someone want an audiophile amp to sound like a humbucker - muddy unclear mids and no highs? Single coils all the way for me for full range clean sound! :)"

6550c, the humbucker vs. single-coil was just an analogy to help answer with words a question about sound -- something that is rather difficult. However, by the same token, I could say: "Who wants an audiophile amp to sound like a single-coil - squacky, biting, etc."

In the end, it all boils down to personal preferences. I love the way the Cortese sounds, there is no preamp mismatch as far as I'm concerned - quite the contrary. As I mentioned in the review, I have the sound I've been dreaming of for years with this combo.
I heard the Shindo Cortese with a Monbrison and Tannoy Kensington SE's at In Living Stereo in NYC. The sound was absolutely sublime. I never purchased the Cortese because of the $, but purchased the Kensingtons (used, not the SE's which just happened to be listed soon thereafter on Audiogon at a good price) as a result. While I love the sound of the Tannoys with my Quicksilver 6C33C Triode monoblocks, I must say that I believe the Cortese was a better match (the difference being A- versus A+) and would be my choice with cost not being an object. Congratulations on a fine purchase. Also, I only hear the best things about Matt at Pitch Perfect. You are lucky to have him as your local dealer.
Aronss: You know that if we lived closer those Kensingtons you are selling would be mine by now :-). I know I said I no longer feel the *need* for bigger Tannoys - but it does not mean that I would not *like* to have them ... they look stunning!

And you are absolutely right about Matt at Pitch Perfect! I am VERY lucky to have him within an hour's drive from my home.

Alberto
Arnosss,

I also heard the Kensingtons at ILS being driven by Massetto/GM-70 combo and wow! when listening to jazz it was the most musical HiFI expirence I have had. But when we put on very dynamic classical orchestral material, the sound became stopped up like it has lost the air and detail. It was something I immedeately noticed. After talking to other Tannoy guys they felt like the 20 shindo watts was not enough for Fully expiriencing orchestral music. Have you ever noticed this?

Jet
I second and third the sentiments regarding Matt at Pitch Perfect. Great person to deal with and a first class audio dealer. Congratulations on your new amp. I've heard the Cortese at Pitch Perfect and it is indeed wonderful.