A single-input, fully balanced MC phono equalizer designed for use with the Ortofon SPU cartridge. The design appears to be a non-holds-barred attempt at quality with little regard for price or convenience, a trait that would be carried to Shindos' first amplifier (the RA124D 6L6, aka Richebourg ) but soon tempered by a price drop and an expanding product line.
The RA1474 was available to purchase as a kit and bloggers have reported being invited to use a desk and tools at the Shindo Laboratory location to build and test their amplifiers.

Images of the RA1474 are scarce. The silver-faced unit shown here labeled 'Western Electric type RA1474' and 'shindou laboratory' is from between 1977 and 1980, after which we know the 'Shindo' spelling was adopted. It has replacement knobs and modifications to the rear to add switchable RCA outputs next to the balanced cannon outputs.  Note the reversed XLR connectors. 

The brown 'hammered' unit with a silver face labeled 'MODEL RA 1474' would have been sold as a kit and dates from the early 1980s. In these pictures the metal lids appear to be on upside down.

Description, Shindo product catalog, 1981:

Its style and quality are truly the ultimate in tube-type preamplifiers.

The TYPE RA1474 is the ultimate preamplifier that we were able to create precisely because we are a so-called "garage manufacturer." The fact that we were able to pursue sound quality to an extent that would be impossible with a cost-driven mass production system is precisely why we dare to accept the label of "garage manufacturer."

In its construction, the company devoted considerable effort to the selection of components. Eliminating all constraints, they carefully selected and installed only the highest quality parts imaginable. Furthermore, after several years of experimentation and listening tests of various EQ circuits, they adopted the Western Electric T604 circuit. The RA1474 is a preamplifier specifically designed for MC cartridges, excelling in music reproduction, yet it does not require a head amplifier or transformer. This crucial section, which greatly affects sound quality, utilizes a TRIAD transformer for optimal performance. Furthermore, the output stage is a powerful TRIAD push-pull design, minimizing cable loss and ensuring perfect drive of the main amplifier.

The RA1474 reproduces the atmosphere of the performance venue, the presence of people and instruments, and even the character of the performers—a sense of realism and lingering resonance that only a tube preamplifier can offer. It's as if it knows the heart of music and how to appeal to your sensibilities.

Specifications, Shindo product catalog, 1981:

• EQ: NF type equalizer
• Tubes: ECC83 x 4, RCA 5Y3 x 1
• Power Transformer: Shindo original high-regulation transformer
• Rectification: USA Oil condenser filter, MALLORY high ripple condenser
• Input Transformer: TRIAD
• Parts and Capacitors: SPRAGUE, CORNELL-DUBLIER, WEST-CAPITOL
DALE (power circuit), ALLEN-BRADLEY (signal circuit)
• Power cord: BELDEN
• Sockets: CINCH
• Circuit board: USECO
• Chassis: High-grade aluminum (interior only)
• Input \ Output SWITCHCRAFT
• Tantalum capacitors WET+ tantalum. CORNELL-DUBLIER
• Input/Output Gold plated
• Measurements: 190 (H), 343 (W), 470 (L)

Additional Details:

• Stereo, phono-only pre amplifier featuring a single MC phono input optimized for the Ortofon SPU cartridge
• Design is a re working of the Westrex RA-1474 using 12AY7 vacuum tubes
• Negative feedback Equalizer based on the "WE T604 circuit"
• Push-pull output stage
• Triad HS-1 input transformers
• Triad HS-52 output transformers
• Dual volume controls
• Balanced XLR (cannon) inputs and outputs, male/female XLR inputs reversed. The hot, cold, and shield connections are also completely different.
• Metal case with brushed silver faceplate with rack handles.
Case interior is compartmentalized with aluminum

By 1983 an upgraded version of the pre amplifier is released and named 'RA-1474 II.' I can find no images of this version.

In the RA-1474 II the MC phono input has been changed from XLR jacks to Switchcraft branded RCA pin jacks and two line-level inputs have been added, also RCA. Volume is still controlled by dual knobs. An un-labeled selector on the front allows switching between inputs. Outputs remain balanced XLR.

Between 1986 and 1989 at least two more variations of the RA-1474 II were released, both titled the "Giscours RA-1474 II".

The images in this section show the first of these units. The label "Giscours" indicate that the unit was made after 1985. Note that an additional phono input and switch have been installed in the back panel. There is no label for this input, likely a MM, indicating it was a custom order.

The last image shows a new (broken) faceplace with the Swan logo, dating it from 1987 or after.

Description:

None available

Specifications:

None available

Additional Details:

• TRIAD transformer for MC step up
• 2 x line inputs (RCA)
• Balanced XLR outputs, 600 Ohms

By 1990 the Giscours is changed to dual-mono chassis, a trend started by the Petrus pre amplifier. A MM phono input is permanently added to the design. Two additional line inputs are added for a total of four, and a gain control for the CD line input is added. At this point the Giscours has become the full-featured top model only surpassed by the cost-no-object Petrus. Shindo's status as an established manufacturer allows him raise prices in order to add convenience factors to the pre amplifier.

Though marketing materials still link Giscours directly to the RA-1474 in order to retain brand recognition, the title 'Model 378' is added. This appears to be part of an abandoned renaming effort parallel to choosing wine-themed names for products. There does not appear to be a 'Model 378' independent of the Giscours and this title will disappear by the end of the 1990s.

Description, Shindo marketing materials, 1990:

Since its release, the RA1474 has garnered overwhelming trust and acclaim from many audiophiles. Through repeated minor revisions it has been refined to a level of maturity. With its flexibility to handle any input source, and its unparalleled sense of scale and presence, it is a masterpiece among masterpieces of preamplifiers that will surely be passed down to the next generation.

Specifications, Shindo marketing materials, 1990:

• Input Sensitivity/Impedance
• Phono MC (pin jack) 0.2 mV/2Ω-600Ω
• Max Phono power Input: 1,500mV (1kHz)
• Output Level/Impedance: 10V/600 Ohm
• Harmonic Distortion: 0.01% PHONO
• RIAA Deviation: ±1dB (20Hz-20kHz
• S/N Ratio: 120dB
• Input Terminal: RCA pin jack
• Output Terminal: XLR jack
• Power Supply: AC 100V/1A
• Power Consumption: AC 100V, 50/60Hz, 80W
• External dimensions: 475 (W) x 85 (H) x 260 (D) mm
• Weight: 9 kg

Note: Built-in MC cartridge transformer/ OUTPUT transformer, and CD matching transformer

Additional Details:

• Though only the MC phono input is listed in the specifications the Giscours does include a MM input with a 47KΩ impedance
• 4 x line inputs (RCA)
• Rear gain controls for line inputs
• REC OUT outputs (RCA) with front-plate ON/OFF switch
• Tube rectification

A new Giscours stereo design appears to have become available in 2004 though the Shindo website is not updated until 2005. The gain control has been removed and the tubes are changed. More notably the chassis moves back to a single, stereo unit utilizing fully discrete mono-circuits internally. The chassis becomes the rectangle shape which will prevail through the Shindo pre amplifier product lineup from this point onward.

The WE349A based unit continued to be a successful product for Shindo. There appear to be two variations in faceplate \ knob configurations for the WE349A version. The change removed the text "Western Electric 349A" from the faceplate and probably occurred in 2009 or 10 as units with the previous faceplate were still in stock at dealers in 2010 and sample CV391 units were being reviewed with the new faceplate by 2010.

In 2011 the WE349A is replaced by the CV391 tube, likely due to exhausting available stock of the former.

Description:

None available.

Specifications, Shindo website product page, Sep 2006:

• Input Sensitivity/Impedance:
　Phono MC (pin jack) 0.2mV/2-100Ω.
　Phono MM (pin jack) 3mV/100KΩ
• Phono input switchable
• Other Inputs: AUX. FM. TV. CD. (pin jack)
• S/N Ratio: 120dB/Line section non-NFB
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 30KHz
• Output Level/Impedance: 8V/600Ω (Canon jack)
• Power Consumption: 100V-50W
• Power Supply: AC100V, 50/60Hz
• Dimensions: W 400×H 165×D 270 mm
• Weight: 11Kg

Additional Details:

• Amorphous core MC step up transformers
• Rectification: 2 x 6X4WA (one per channel)
• Phono Stage, per channel:
1 x GE 6072, shielded
1 x Philips 6AW8A, Triode + Pentode Driver
• Line Stage, per channel:
1 x JAN-GE 6X4WA Double Diode
1 x EF800 Pentode in Triode mode
• Power (per channel)
1 x WE349A

In 2011 the tube lineup removes the WE 349A and incorporates the CV391.

From this point forward the specifications as listed on the Shindo website do not change. Faceplates, knobs and knob placement will change as the final Shindo style locks into place.

Description:

None available

Specifications, Shindo website product page, March 2013:

• Input Sensitivity/Impedance:
Phono MC (pin jack): 0.2mV/2-100Ω
Phono MM (pin jack): 3mV/100KΩ
• Phono Input selectable
• Other Inputs: AUX, FM, TV, CD (pin jack)
• S/N Ratio: 120dB / Line section non-NFB
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 30KHz
• Output Level/Impedance: 8V/600Ω (Canon jack)
• Power Consumption: 100V-50W
• Power Supply: AC 117V or 220V-230V 50/60Hz
• Dimensions: W 400 × H 165 × D 270 mm
• Weight: 11kg

Additional Details:

CV391tubes used appear to be ITT badged 5B/255M

Shindo Giscours set-up documentation from 2015:

Giscours Stereo Pre-amplifier

Please place amplifiers horizontally in a cabinet.

~CAUTION~

Please put this amplifier on good ventilation place.

Phono Input MC (RCA Pin Jax)

When using MC cartridge, please turn the input switch to the left position.
This MC input is MC Step up transformers and perfectly with cartridge of until 3Ω output impedance.

Phono Input MM (RCA Pin Jax)

When using MM cartridge, please turn the input switch to the right position. MM cartridges of 1ΚΩ - 100ΚΩ are connectable. In case that you use separate MC step up transformer, please connect to input MM.

The other Input terminals fitted in this amplifier are CD FM AUX TV. (RCA Pin Jack)

~CAUTION~

It would recommend that the interconnect cables with Switchcraft 3502 plugs to those input Jacks of this pre amplifier.

Output (XLRJack): 8V/600 Ω

Please set up the preamplifier's main volume to the clock position more than 8:00 and adjust individual input level controllers of your power amplifier in accordance with it.

Fuse: Please use 2A slow blow Fuse only.

~CAUTION~

Before replacing fuse, please make sure that the power switch is off and the power cable is disconnected from a wall socket.