Preamp upgrade - Shindo or VAC?


I’ve had a VAC Standard LE pre amp for a few years now with Auricle Musicblocs. I’ve liked them a lot. However as I had my preamp gone for some maintenance, I had a friends Shindo Aurieges on loan. I must say I was quite impressed. Don’t actually know if it’s better than the Standard LE, but at least it seems to fit my system quite nicelly. The instruments and voices were more real and vibrant. Then again some seem to think VAC’s better pre amps are a lot better that the Standard LE(?)

So I’m wondering about an upgrade path… VAC or Shindo? Anyone out there with experience with say Shindo Mondrison or Masseto and the VAC Renaissance MKIII Preamplifier?

I’d be grateful for any insite. =)
jugi63
Thanks guys! And yes, one should listen first and it depends on setup, speakers and so on. But in my case listening ja comparing is just not possible. So one must make an educated decision on presumptions, reputation and comments from other users. So that's why I'm asking about experience with the two companies. But it seems there aren't many with experience of both.

But thanks anyway!
- Jukka
Well, I guess the scale has tilted towards VAC... I was a little hasty with the Standard LE preamp, it took some time to run in proparly. Now I'd say no contest... The Shindo Aurieges has a beutifull midrange, but the VAC now has a very nice midrange as well, and everything else the VAC does (quite a bit) better.
The designer of the pre amp typically designs the pre amp around his own amp and vice versa.....so if you own a vac amp I would lean toward the vac...Plus Kevin makes great stuff and has been around high end a long time and will be there for you...