Shindo Laboratory (jp. Shindō Labo) was founded in 1977 by the legendary and unique Ken Shindō. The company's logo, which is based in Bunkyō, Tokyo, features a swan. In 2014, the sound visionary who developed addictive amplifiers throughout his career passed away. Shindo mainly produces high-end to premium tube amplifiers but also offers a turntable, matching transformers for CD players, as well as cables and speakers. Speakers are usually custom-made incustomer order.
Ken Shindō was inspired by Western studio and cinema technology from the 30s to the 50s – especially by devices from American companiesWestern ElectricandAltec Lansing. Shindo also copied the green enclosures from Altec Lansing. Even the names of Shindo's first devices were directly taken from the historical models. (The RA designations, for example, go back to cinema amplifiers from Western Electric or their English subsidiary Westrex.)
Even in the production of its devices, Shindo uses historical manufacturing techniques (e.g., soldering point-free wiring in the amplifiers) and components (tubes, capacitors, resistors, etc.). In fact, these are often unused goods from old stock (New Old Stock, NOS). Since the supplies were limited and always a remainder is kept as spare parts for customer support, the corresponding devices could only be produced in relatively small quantities. At the same time, Shindo also uses newcomponents and modern manufacturing techniques (e.g., CNC in the production of the bearings for its turntable and tonearm). As for frequency response, signal-to-noise ratio, and distortion, the devices also meet current standards.
The amplifiers are in the characteristicShindo Laboratorygreen and the newer devices named after French wine estates and wine-growing regions, such as:
Tonearm:MeursaultIntegrated amplifier:LePinPreamplifiers:Partager, Aurièges, Mazeris Bellevus, Masseto (Italian)Power amplifiers:Pavillon Rouge, Palmer, Montille, Montrachet, Corton, Talbot, Cortese (actually a grape variety), Haut Brion, Lafon, Richebourg,Speakers:Lafite, Latour. The taste properties of the wines are meant to represent the respective sound character of the devices.
Shindo's early products were still heavily influenced by American sound technology and high-quality US entertainment electronics that were built until about the early 70s in the USA. In the USA, this is often referred to as the 'golden' era, during which particularly elaborate devices were created; for example, the legendary audio components from Marantz, McIntosh, or Scott.
In the 70s and 80s, it was hardly known outside Japan that Japanese HiFi fans, tube fans, and collectors of old studio technology had pounced on once high-end US brand products. Japanese enthusiasts bought up entire collections of antique US cinema and sound equipment (e.g., Western Electric). Americans only noticed when practically the entire market had been cleaned out. Today, this former 'junk' is traded in the price range of luxury cars.
How long the Cantabile Model E 3400 (Ken Shindo's legendary amplifier) was offered can no longer be determined today. More precise information is not even obtainable about Ken Shindo's son, Takashi Shindo, as the master worked back then with very few employees who only produced individual components and left hardly any records. The devices are rarely or not at all available on the used market outside Japan; if they are, they are traded for high sums. Technical support or restoration is only possible atShindo Laboratory.www.shindo-laboratory.co.jp
Originally, Shindo Laboratory primarily produced for Asian customers. Since around 1990, Shindo's products have also been distributed in Europe and since around 2000 in the US market.
