EL34 Integrated

The Ars Sonum is a $4,000 bargain (given how expensive comparable(?) separates would cost, and it is doubtful than any integrated amp can sound better with the Merlins.

The EAR is certainly a nice piece, but it is very unlikely to be as good as the Ars for the Merlins; but an excellent integrated nevertheless.

Have you heard the Merlins with the Ars?

On the EAR, I don't know if it would beat the Ars with the Melrin, which is why I said "unlikely". I've heard the EAR gear and love it. The reason I suspect the Ars is a better match for the Merlins is that it was a collaborative effort between amp designer and speaker designer and voiced for each other. When we speak of synergy between components, one would think the Ars would be at an advantage here; not that the Jadis is not a spectacular piece; but so is my CAT JL2 and in that context the Ars is very competive driving the Merlins (of course the CAT will sound great with a wider choice of speakers). At below $2000 new, I'd have to agree with you on the Stingray, never heard the Cayin gear, but there are certainly good reviews and comments on their gear.

You know, I forgot about the Consonance, which I tried while I was waiting for the Ars to arrive (six months is proably right) and liked very much with the Merlins and gave it to my brother who was starting out with a system with Vandersteen 2Ce speakers. It was a 75 Watts KT88 tube integrated and I think I got it used for under a $1000 with heavy transformers (good bass). And ditto on Joe T.