Amp suggestion for Merlin TSM speakers

Thanks for all the kind words/mentions guys.

I won't bother to repeat what other have said about tubes and Merlin being a great combo (esp. Joule and Ars Sonum, though I may be a bit biased when it comes to that gear).

Surprised no one has mentioned Dave Belles's (Power Modules) Aria Integrated amp... for someone who wants solid state on their TSMs this is a great combo. If on a tight budget, a used Rega Brio (one of the later versions) would make a really nice match for a older/early pair of TSMs.

I just had the latest Ars Sonum (Universum series XP version) Filarmonia playing on my BM TSM's a few days ago. Right now the same amp is finishing its break in on a pair of Black Magic VSM with the same amp. Amazing what a really good 30W of tube power will/can do!

Cheers! - Rich

Owned/own Merlin TSM MME and TSM Black Magic with Master Zoebel.  Ran them well with Manley Jumbo Shrimp pre and Mahi Mahi mono blocks.  Also, Sugden A21SE integrated.  Speaker cables were Decware Silver Stix.  All of this sounded quite good.

Don't think it is SS or tube dependent, just the quality of pieces.  Merlins do like quality massed stands.  Merlins are more forgiving than many monitors.  Best of luck in your search.

Audio Mirror SET45 monoblocks with 45w/channel from the 6c33c tube sounded great with my TSM BME. That extra bit of power compared to the Filarmonia is put to very good use on the TSM.

Rich.....how do I find out which version IO have of the Merlins?

everything I've read seems to suggest Merlin TSMs perform at their best with tubes. Not poo booing your suggestion, just telling you what I have read. I've nothing against solid state at all. Any response to this? Thanks.

@troutbum The Merlins were literally designed for OTLs. Bobby had a very good relationship with Jud Barber of Joule Electra. We sold many of our M-60 OTLs to Merlin VSM owners and showed with the speakers at CES.

You need about 30 Watts to make the TSM sing. There are no SETs that can that speaker justice on account of the speaker being 87dB. That's just no sensitive enough for an SET, which typically has only about 25% usable power. Most push-pull tube amps have more like 95% usable power.

Since 30 Watts is good in most rooms you have a wide range of amplifiers that will work on it.