Class D for Repatriated Merlin TSM MMI
I recently repatriated a pair of Merlin TWM MMI from Singapore. Calvin Ho of CK Audio made its return home quick and painless.
I have read the forums and understand that most seem to prefer tube amps. I know that is is against convention so far as I've read, but, due to heat, space, my back and weight, I am inquiring of any successful synergistic pairing of Class D amps. (Yes, I am trying to avoid 55 pounds of iron)
My sense are these little guys might benefit from lots of power but like everything the proof and synergy is in the pudding.
Thanks for any experience one can share.
@pwayland Might be time for you to go listen to some of the better GaN amps from the likes of AGD, Atma-Sphere, etc. rather than hanging your hat on beliefs or needing to understand schematics. I imagine there were similar sentiments when solid state amps made the scene, but here we are. |
@sbank Nice recovery, and it’s probably true. |
Well, I think you should stretch a little and go for the Atmasphere GaN momoblocks or the AGD Tempo di GaN amp as they’re only $400 -$500 over your budget and will very likely give you many years of SOTA sound reproduction. As a backstop and if you can’t stick a crowbar in your wallet and buy one of those amps, an option that’d still give you awesome sound but at a huge discount is a McCormack DNA-125 with full SMcAudio upgrades for $1750 where the upgrades alone probably cost upwards of $2000. This is a near SOTA amp by many accounts, and you can send it to SMcAudio and have them install their Gravity Base Jr. for $400 or full Gravity Base for $900 and up the performance even further and still be WAY below your $5k max. If you can stretch I’d go with one of the GaN amps, but if $$$ is a concern I highly doubt you’d be unhappy with the upgraded DNA-125. Of course another option would be the $3k LSA GaN amp from Underwood Hifi. It never ends, but I’m sure you’ll be thrilled with any of these awesome amps and your excellent speakers. FWIW, and best of luck. |
