If it's the legend that the owner seems to say it is, and if the designers are so revered, why did he (presumably an amateur) feel the need to go into it and change it?

Chris makes very good points there. Would be quite a brave purchase as sound wise it could be anything.

If you were buying from a dealer and could return if it didn't suit it might be worth a punt but could be difficult to re-sell if you don't like it.

Point is well taken, I have to tighten my screws. There are a lot of people replacing parts for the sake of it.

Here is an excerpt from PS Audio: "Unless your capacitors are defective (they allow DC current to pass through them), or have changed their value over time due to heat and other environmental factors, you are not likely to improve anything by replacing them. The same goes for replacement metal film resistors. It’s true that metal film resistors have lower noise than other types, but that makes a difference only in certain critical circuits, such as the input stage of a high-gain mike preamp. It’s also true that different types of capacitors are more or less suitable for different types of circuits. But if you think the designers of your amplifier or mixer are too stupid to have used appropriate components in the first place, why would the rest of the design be good enough to warrant the cost of improved parts? In fairness, extremely old gear often employs carbon composition resistors, and replacing them can make a difference in many audio circuits. But anything manufactured in the past 20 years or so will use carbon film resistors and decent capacitors".

On the other hand, it is impossible to purchase used equipment from private vendors on a trial basis.

There is a chap in Hawaii selling his mint AN Ongaku for half the price.

Cheers

Ah, that made me laugh! Solid logic there.

Also, I recall a forum acquaintance buying at huge expense an On-Gaku and finding it way too bright.
Luckily, with legendary gear like this it's not difficult to sell on, but even small % losses can be significant at this price level.

Mine weigh 42KG each Martin. It's nearly all transformer mass. The bass is amazing even driving Apogees. It's the best part.

There aren't many 211 amps on the market with power. Plus they're usually sold on the basis they are single ended and therefore amazing. But the compromise of lower power is very real with a lot of speakers.

See Ongaku thread for links.

Hi Chaps.

I found a hard to find Shindo Aurieges preamplifier with phono section. For what I have read it is an excellent preamplifier for a reasonable price.

www.usaudiomart.com/details/649652045-shindo-aurieges-hard-to-find-early-ken-shindo-two-box-version-low-serial-number/