After RMAF Show, I spoke to Bobby @Merlin regarding upgrading my RC Networks and BAM to include the Duelund caps. The following are my listening impressions of the new Master RC Networks and Master BAM after 200 hours of break-in time.
See here for a link to my Rig: http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=systems&n=1912&highlight=joneill&r=
See here for my Rives Room: http://gallery.me.com/joneill1155
The sound is significantly more transparent with greater clarity and immediacy. Bass definition and body have greater authority. The midrange is well focused and reveals all of the textures and detail the source can provide. Dense, palpable images appear from an expanded, deeper, wider, inky black soundstage and have become more rounded and three-dimensional. Micro and macro detail are conveyed in a realistic manner with no etching or exaggeration. Absent is any artificial electronic artifice that makes one think their system is doing one thing or another better. The music flows effortlessly. My Rig has never sounded this relaxed and realistic.
All in all, a most impressive upgrade from the folks at Merlin.
I have no connection to Merlin Music Systems (just their customer) and have not received or will receive any compensation for this or any other posting. |
I hosted my local audio groupSaturday night for a "rave". We had 6 of us for libations and spinning tunes until the wee hours of the morning. Most who attended have heard my rig before so it was good to hear the feedback re: the Duelund upgrades. Better bottom end, fuller sounding, totally relaxed, bettered layered and focus presentation were the general agreed upon comments.
All in all, a fun night of Audio. |
SNS,
Are you using them on the RC networks as well? |
The Bam or Master Bam in this instance is an analog device that is inserted into the signal chain either through a tape loop, (method I prefer) between the preamp and amp(s), or the source and the preamp. It can be run on all battery power (sounds best in my rig) or a combination of battery and AC power.
The BAM provides 5.2dB of bass boost at 35Hz. This extends the bass of the VSM-MXe to -4dB at 30Hz. Almost as important, the Master BAM includes high frequency filter (cannot remember the exact cutoff) and a subsonic filter at 28Hz that prevents low frequency signals from getting to the amps(s) and speakers. This allows the VSM-XMe woofer to reproduce the music without having extra low frequency junk mudding up the sound.
Hopefully I explained that accurately and correctly. If Bobby from Merlin surf through the forums he can make any corrections or elaborate more fully.
Hope this help
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Bobby,
Thanks for the detailed explanation. Can you discuss the new switching power supply that is quieter than the previous one used? How significant is its contribution to the phenomenal sound of the MBAM?
Thanks,
Jim |
Bobby,
Thanks for the explanation. Whatever it is, I'm liking it..........a lot :-) |
Sns,
Thanks for the feedback. "Staying right here" can be a good thing. |
Sns,
I totally agree with your analysis of the new Master Bam. It truly transforms a great product into a killer & stunner.
I also agree that Bobby is good at listening to his customer base. He seems to not only understand his craft, but is always willing to suspend his disbelief long enough to listen and comprehend in public and private discussion. He is customer driven to be sure.
Part of me thinks that this 13+ year pursuit of perfection the VSM has become, there are still many great things ahead for this designer, the company and the customer. |
look forward to your impressions after the burn-in. |
Turboglo,
Thanks for leaving your listening impressions as promised. I agree with all of your observations. I think you are right on the mark about hearing and listening in new ways as well.
The speaker is so relaxed and resolving that it just disappears and the music flows. For me, it has brought me closer in chasing my 40 year dream of my own piece of the absolute sound. Very exciting indeed.
My experience says to "hang onto your hat" as your sound will continue to evolve and improve over the next 100 hours.
Bobby has just hit the freaking ball so far out of the park with this upgrade it isn't even funny :-) |
In past versions of the Bam/Super BAM, I have listened at both the tape loop and between pre/amp. To my ear, I have always preferred the buffering one gets from the pre.
I'll insert between the pre/amp later this week to see if I have changed my view and report back on my findings to the thread. |
I also had a chance to audition the master bam between my LA 300 & VZN 100's and compare to the tape loop this week. I also was surprised as to how good it sounded.
Compared to the tape loop in my set up, in my room, the sound is more forward, slightly more vivid but also not nearly as focused or refined. To use a photographer analogy, I feel like I am looking at images in the view finder that look fantastic but are slightly out of focus. The buffering the LA 300 provides snaps it into total focus.
To my ear, I also much prefer the buffering the LA 300 provides. I would in no way suggest that this is better or worse, right or wrong. Lot depends on your system/room set up, likes, dislike. YMMV!
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800+ hours and they are really singing. The drivers are in perfect balance and the sound continuos top to bottom. This has resulted in very long fatigue free listening sessions that are most enjoyable. |
Tab110s,
Refresh our memories...........MXr, larger port, different cabinet, more mass damping???
Jim |
Don,
Please do tell us the difference between MXe vs MXr?
Thanks,
Jim |
Bobby,
Great.
What are the difference in a nut shell? |
Tab110,
Want to......................probably. Going to.....................never say never :-) |
Here is an Email Bobby sent me re: The difference between Mxe and the new MXr.
jim,
the cabinet material has been changed to a better sounding one imho. the sand chamber is larger and the double baffle on the front of the cabinet extended to the top of the sand chamber. the cabinet weighs more by a few pounds. when you add mass to a speaker cabinet it usually drives the q down so the bass sounds more extended. with the firing plane/baffle being more rigid the speakers sound like they go deeper and with more kick. better pitch defintion imho too. less resonace on the front baffle makes the hf sound more focused and precise.
ok?
best regards,
b |
Nmanuel,
Thanks for sticking your oar in the water.
If you can, please check back into the thread after MBam and RC with 400or so hours after full break-in with your impressions. I'll look forward to them for sure!
Thanks again,
Jim |
Nmanuel,
Thanks for the listening impressions. The new MXR sounds like another large step forward in the pursuit of 2 way excellence. |
