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The Shindo Masseto is a meticulously hand-built tube preamplifier positioned between the Monbrison and Vosne-Romanee models in Shindo's lineup. It uses a special Telefunken LCP86 triode/pentode vacuum tube in the line stage, with one tube per channel visible through an arched front panel window. The phono section employs Philips 6189W and 12AT7 tubes per channel, with a dual power supply based on Philips 6X4WA rectifier tubes. It features Shindo's own amorphous core step-up transformers for moving coil cartridges and custom output transformers for both line and phono outputs. The Masseto is renowned for its lifelike vocal reproduction and musicality, delivering a rich, textured, and colorful sound with excellent timing and flow. It is built with vintage components such as Allen-Bradley resistors and NOS tubes, and uses high-quality Tocos carbon composite volume controls. The chassis is finished in Shindo's signature metallic green, with impeccable build quality and point-to-point wiring throughout. Dimensions are 350mm wide, 120mm high, and 310mm deep, weighing approximately 8 kg. Power requirements are AC 120V or 220-240V at 50/60Hz, consuming 80W. The Masseto supports switchable phono inputs for MC and MM cartridges with sensitivities of 0.2mV/2-100Ω and 3mV/47kΩ respectively, and offers a signal-to-noise ratio of 119dB with a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz. It is considered a legendary preamplifier in the audiophile community and remains in production.
Amplification power output and characteristics
Analog signal output specifications
Phono stage specifications
Input and output connections
Size, weight, and appearance
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions
The closest alternatives on specs, description and the systems they turn up in, with the specs they share set side by side.
The Vosne-Romanee's output voltage is 8.0V RMS against the Masseto's 5.0V RMS and its weight 10.5 kg (23 lbs) against 8 kg (18 lbs). Both share signal-to-noise (119 dB) and output impedance (600Ω).
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
The Monbrison's signal-to-noise is 120 dB against the Masseto's 119 dB. Both share output voltage (5.0V RMS), output impedance (600Ω), and weight (8 kg (18 lbs)).
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
The LS28SE's signal-to-noise is 122 dB against the Masseto's 119 dB, its output voltage 2.0V RMS against 5.0V RMS, and its weight 7.2 kg (16 lbs) against 8 kg (18 lbs). Both share output impedance (600Ω).
The Opal's output voltage is 3.5V RMS against the Masseto's 5.0V RMS, its output impedance 425Ω against 600Ω, its weight 17.5 kg (39 lbs) against 8 kg (18 lbs), and its height 133.35 mm against 120 mm.
Conrad Johnson ART MkII
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