Anyone using Duelund VSF capacitor in Merlin VSM

Agreed, these are great caps. I'm using them in the SBAM at this point, trying to figure out a way to mount them in crossover.

Joneill, I recently placed a Russian FT-1 cap on RC network, very nice, takes a bit of hardness off mids and highs. I then added these as bypasses on 6.0uf Hovland tweeter caps, more of that Hovland hardness eliminated.This mod together with the Duelunds in BAM make the Merlins more musical, timbre much more natural. I no longer feel the need to immediately replace the Hovland tweeter cap with Duelunds, I could be happy staying right here!

Hi Bobby,

My system is comprised of highly modified Perp. TEch digital, Vpi Scoutmaster with 10.5i arm, modded Joule LA100MkIII, Art Audio Carissa Signature, all Cardas Golden Ref. cabling, single run of speaker (bi-wiring), AC power-dedicated and
modded BPT 3.5 sig. All i's dotted and t's crossed in system.

I do have the millenium, non-cryo'd Hovlands. Based on my experience with cryo'd parts I assume much of the hardness is taken care of with the cryo process. I also upgraded the batteries and non-leaded power cord on my SBAM, also TX2575 resistors replacing Caddocks. I use the Cardas non-leaded solder in all my upgrades.

Taken in totality my upgrades have made a great speaker even better. Added resolution, transparency together with more natural timbre has made for an enrapturing musical experience! I would suggest all Merlin owners need to hear your Master Bam upgrade, Duelunds are simply magical.

Bobby, it is good you listen to your customers, it's obvious your keyed into your customer base, one won't be misled going with your upgrades.

Thanks, Scott

Yes, I agree the cap on RC network is critical, changing this out made a larger difference than adding the bypass on the HOvland tweeter cap.

I should also add that the hardness I speak of is mostly an artifact of the recording process. I mostly hear this hardness when playing remastered cd recordings. It seems to me many less than highest quality remastered digital recrdings boost the upper mids and highs in order to extract maximum detail/resolution. If I only played well recorded music this hardness issue would hardly bother me, unfortunately I like all genres of music and this issue is unavoidable.

I am also not after tone controls or negation of detail in alleviating this issue. I want to maximize resolution and transparency and maintain or increase musicality. This balance is the single most difficult in audio IMHO

I've heard the same improvements the previous posters mentioned from my Duelund caps, tx2575 resistors and a recent upgrade from stock ceramic power supply caps to Z Superior caps in SBAM.

Natural timbre of Duelunds, increased resolution of tx2575 and Z Superior caps have created an amazing sense of realism, performers are simply in the room with me! The Duelund's natural timbre evokes much more relaxed listening sessions, even with digital I want to listen for hours on end. I can't wait to get my Merlins up to a full compliment of Duelunds, towards that end I have a pair of 6.0uf tweeter Duelunds on order, should have them installed in aprox. 4 weeks.

Clabe, I agree with Bobby on the Mundorf sound. I've tried the Mundorf Silver oils in various places in my system, thin out mids and brighten highs. I've heard the Mundorf golds are a bit better in mids. I will only use Mundorfs as replacements in my Merlins. I should have my Duelund copper foils in tweeter position in the next week or so. Next to Duelunds, Hovlands sound best in Merlins IMO.