Devore and Shindo match

Dgad, having owned the 750's, I agree with you. Certainly as far as driving Vandersteen 5A's go. They just couldn't get out of their own way. Although, I would never recommend the older VTL amps with Vandersteen's period. As far as the Nine's w/ VTL and Shindo preamp demo, I just cannot take home alot from it. I thought it sounded very good though. It seems the ST-150 in Triode was a good match with the Devore. Likely just because the Nine's may be a faster, clener and more open sounding speaker than I am used to. They are not following the pack sonically, that's for sure. They may in fact tow the line quite nicely between forward sounding speakers and darker more laid back ones. That said, I would still like to hear what a Shindo amp/system would bring to this. Bongofury and PrFront, thanks for your thoughts and keep them coming.

Fjn04,

My take in my system is a bit different. I doubt I can better the VTLs without sacrificing some other area. But one thing I tell all my friends is buy the amp & speaker as a system. Not apart. VTLs have a wonderful synergy with Ribbons, Metal dome tweeters, and quite a few electrostatics. Correct me if I am wrong but the Vandersteens are an active bass speaker. That would preclude getting the most important aspect of the VTLs performance to show through. Also, if you see those who are using VTL successfully (older models) Albert Porter for one, is using a hybrid ribbon design. The VTL is definitely a "laid back" sound that when balanced with the correct speaker can give you a sense of the SET magic but with power. But this is never experienced in triode mode. For me it just rolls off the highs.

As for Shindo amplification, due to the designs being all fairly different between models I would strongly suggest that the question is Shindo, but which Shindo.

Dgad, No doubt on both your points. I just decided to move on from VTL due to the marriage. If my room was a bit larger, I may have explored some other speaker options. There is no doubt that the VTL is a premier amp matched with the right speaker. I heard them driving Magnepan's, and it was a whole different ballgame. The Shindo amp's as you said seem quite different. Not only push-pull and SET like the Lamm's, but using quite a few different tubes from model to model.

The Shindo/Devore combo is quite popular and for good reason, there are good synergies there. I have the Aurieges/Montille combo and used to have the Super 8s. In my room the mids were wonderful, natural very uncoloured. However the bass was lacking but I'm sure it was a function of my room because my friend with a Monbrison/Montille combo once borrowed them and was able to dial them to produce glorious sound - including a very tight articulate bass. I never did hear the 9s with my gear but I did hear the Super 8s vs the 9s with Naim gear and I really liked the 9s, the same lovely highs and mids, but with a more fuller sound with a deeper bottom end. Shindo preamps have a loyal and dedicated following, and for the money I don't think they can beat. If you can swing for also a Shindo amp you should, because the synergies are truly magical.

Thanks for your comments. I have recently added the Monbrison to my system, and it has been very impressive.
To consider one of the Shindo amps, it would also mean that
I would have to chose a speaker as well. Mine is not suitable for 40 watts or below. It's been a while since I have made such a large move system wise, so I want to get
a feel for the Shindo/Devore sound first. I am not sure what other speakers to consider, but am leaning toward a conventinal cone driver right now. It would have been an interesting comparison to have heard the Nines with Shindo after having heard them with Naim. It seems like making a move on the speaker first would be a better.This would then make it easier to check out a wider variety of amps. Especially with a speaker like Devore that has such a stable impedance curve and is 90+ db.