Petrus
All Names:
Petrus
Petrus Limited Edition
Petrus II
Petrus III
Petrvs
Categories:
Pre Amplifier
Monoblock
Stereo
Production Years:
1988 - 2016
The Shindo Petrus pre amplifier was designed as a cost-no-object limited edition statement by Ken Shindo in 1988 and started his movement towards monoblock pre amps. The next six pre amplifiers in the price lineup (Giscours, Catherine, Montrose, Martine, Allegro, and Lepin) would all move from stereo to monoblock from '89 into the '90s. Only in the 2000s would the move back to stereo pre amplifiers begin. Re-badged as 'Petrvs' the pre amp would end its production life as a stereo unit in 2016.
The description of Petrus from the 1990 marketing materials makes it clear what was on Ken Shindo's mind at the time: Trying to finally top his very first product, the RA1474/Giscours, and adapting to the now emerging CD market. The CD matching transformer included is probably the same as in the CD-centric pre amp 'Montrose' and the independent 'Arome CD Matching Transformer,' both released around the same time as the Petrus Limited Edition. (And, probably the remainder of those transformers went into the last version of the Mazeris Bellevus when it appeared in 2000.)
Already 40% more expensive than Giscours in 1990 (Y1,840,000 v. Y1,140,000) Petrus remained as a fetish object only for many of us who wished we could justify the price over the already marvelous Giscours. As with all Shindo products sales numbers are impossible to determine but there are VERY few images of these out there on the used market. Given the rarified territory I am not surprised.
Shindo Petrus monoblock pre amplifier circa 1990
Shindo Petrus monoblock pre amplifier circa 1990
Name:
Petrus Limited Edition
Categories:
Pre Amplifier
Monoblock
Years Produced:
1988 - 1991 (est)
MSRP:
¥ 1,840,00 (Japan, 1991)
Released in 1988 as a Limited Edition the Petrus is Shindo's premiere pre-amplifier, meant as a costs no object build. It remained in production through 2016 though due to its price it probably never overtook the Giscours in sales.
Description, Shindo marketing materials, 1990:
The ideal preamplifier is realized here.
This top-of-the-line preamplifier is named after the legendary "Château Petrus," a rare wine made from vineyards of only 12 hectares, a wine that wine connoisseurs around the world dream of owning. From the built-in CD transformer to the use of carefully selected high-quality parts throughout, each component has been meticulously crafted. Furthermore, the design completely disregarded cost from the outset, including the use of glass panel veneers. The resulting sound quality, which combines delicacy and richness, surpasses our timeless bestseller, the "RA1474-II," making it the "Petrus" preamplifier.
Specifications, Shindo marketing materials, 1990
• Input sensitivity\Impedance: v0.2mV/ (PHONO MC only) 200-600V
• Output level \ impedance: 8V/600V
• Maximum power handling: 1,200mV
• Total harmonic distortion: 0.01 %
• PHONO, RIAA deviation: ±1dB (20Hz-20kHz)
• Frequency response: 20Hz-30kHz
• SN ratio: 120dB
• Power supply: AC 100V, 50/60 Hz
• Power consumption: AC 100V, 100W
• Dimensions: 480(W) x 90(H) x 260(D) mm
• Weight: 12 kg
Additional Details:
• 2 x phono inputs, 1 x MC, 1 x MM
• Built-in MC cartridge transformer, output transformer, and CD matching transformer.
Shindo Petrus monoblock pre amplifier circa 1990
Shindo Petrus monoblock pre amplifier circa 1990
Name:
Petrus II
Categories:
Pre Amplifier
Monoblock
Years Produced:
1992 (est) - 1996 (est)
MSRP:
The image of the Petrus I was used in the advertisement for the Petrus II at an unknown date in the early 1990s. The dual chassis likely remained identical.
Description, Shindo Laboratory marketing materials:
The Petrus I (Limited Edition), a vacuum tube preamplifier that has produced numerous legends.
Responding to the requests of many customers
Unlike the reproduced music of previous audio systems, this preamplifier has been upgraded to reproduce the world of live music, and is now available as the new "Petrus II".
Specifications:
None available
Additional Details:
Shindo Petrus monoblock pre amplifier circa 1990
Shindo Petrus monoblock pre amplifier circa 1990
Name:
Petrus III
Categories:
Pre Amplifier
Monoblock
Years Produced:
1997 (est) - 2004
MSRP:
$44,000 (US, 2004)
By 1999 the "Petrus III" amplifier was advertised on the Shindo website. It remained a dual-mono design in this version.
Between June and August of 2000 the websites' technical description was changed to indicate a change in the tube complement but the product remained advertised as the "Petrus III."
In 2001 Shindo removed most information from their website about the tubes used in any given product. Information on the Petrus' tube lineup was removed from the description as part of that process.
The web page for the Petrus III was removed from the site at the end of 2004 without announcing a replacement.
Description, Shindo marketing material 1991:
"Petrus" is the flagship Shindo Pre-amplifier, designed to exceed our legendary "Giscours." Petrus has been warmly received since 1988. The current model has evolved to its third generation benefiting from ongoing feedback from end user and our own work.
This pre amplifier is our top recommendation for all true music lovers the world over. Petrus will take us into the new century.
All Transformers are our own make.
When Coupled with either “300B Single Limited” or “Richebourg 300B Push-pull”, fitted transformers couple both input and Petrus's output to form a complete balanced circuit. This enables pure signal transmission."
Description, Shindo Laboratory website , 1999
This is a top-of-the-line preamplifier named after the prestigious Château Petrus, a fine wine produced from a mere 12-hectare vineyard. Since its limited release in 1988, its exceptional musical expressiveness and natural sound quality, combining delicacy with rich realism, have earned it high praise, even surpassing our timeless bestseller, the Giscours. This year, in response to numerous requests from music lovers, we have pursued a new circuit design, resulting in an even richer soundstage and greater realism that will lead you to a new level of emotional experience. Like the rich flavor of this wine, the Petrus is an ideal preamplifier of indescribable quality.
Specifications, Shindo website, 1999:
• Input Sensitivity/Impedance:
• Phono MC (Balanced, XLR): 0.2mV / 2Ω–100Ω
• MM (RCA): 3mV / 100kΩ (switchable between 2 inputs).
• Other Inputs: Selectable: AUX, FM, TV, CD (Balanced, XLR), CD2 (RCA).
• S/N Ratio: 120dB
• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 30kHz
• Output Level/Impedance: 8V / 600Ω; switchable Balanced/Unbalanced (XLR); Rec Out.
• Power Consumption: 100V–50W
• Power Supply: AC100V, 50/60Hz
• Vacuum Tubes Used (per monoblock)
1 x EF804S
1 x ECC82
1 x E80CC
1 x 6BM8
1 x 6X4
• Dimensions: W480 x H100 x D300 mm (per unit)
• Weight: 20kg (per pair)
• Built-in CD matching transformer / Front glass panel.
*Caution* Connecting Petrus' output balance transformers to input transformers used in power amplifiers from companies such as Western Electric will cause noise due to differing specifications, so please refrain from doing so.
Specifications, Shindo website, August 2000:
• Input Sensitivity/Impedance:
• Phono MC (balanced, XLR jack) 0.2mV / 2Ω-100Ω.
• MM (pin jack) 3mV/100kΩ, 2-channel switchable.
• Other inputs: AUX, FM, TV, CD (balanced input, XLR jack), CD2 (pin jack) selectable.
• S/N ratio: 120dB, line section non-NFB
• Frequency response: 20Hz - 30KHz
• Output level/impedance: 8V/600Ω, balanced/unbalanced switchable (XLR jack), Rec Out.
• Power consumption:100V-50W
• Power supply: AC100V. 50/60Hz
• Vacuum tubes used (per monoblock)
1 x EF804S
1 x ECC82
2 x ECL82
1 x 6X4External dimensions: W 480×H 100×D 300 mm (per unit)
• Weight: 20Kg (per pair)
• Remarks: Step-up transformer for MC cartridges / Output transformer
Additional Details:
Shindo Petrvs pre amplifier circa 2006
Shindo Petrvs pre amplifier circa 2006
Name:
Petrvs
Categories:
Pre Amplifier
Stereo
Years Produced:
2006 - 2010
MSRP:
In February of 2006, after a years' absence the Shindo website announces the new version of Petrus, introducing the single-unit, stereo chassis and changing the spelling to 'Petrvs.'
At this point the line stage uses Western Electric 349A tubes. No other tubes are specified by Shindo.
Description:
None available
Specifications, Shindo website, August 2006:
None available
Additional Details:
Shindo Petrvs stereo pre amplifier circa 2010
Name:
Petrvs
Categories:
Pre Amplifier
Stereo
Years Produced:
2010-2017
MSRP:
Shindo Petrvs stereo pre amplifier circa 2010
In 2010 the website changes the image to reflect the new 'proscenium' faceplates in use across the Shindo product line.
The technical description is re-written slightly but generally contains the same measurements.
In 2017 the Petrvs is withdrawn from the web site.
Description:
None available
Specifications, Shindo website, April 2010:
• Input Sensitivity/Impedance:
Phono MC (pin jack): 0.2mV / 2-100Ω.
Phono MM (pin jack) 3mV/100kΩ
• 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-80W
• Power supply: AC 100V, 50/60 Hz
• Dimensions: W 400×H 165×D 370 mm
• Weight: 13.3 kg
Additional Details: