Not to stray off topic but does anyone have any input or experience as to how well the Merlin TSM's match with a Vincent SV236 MkII Hybrid Integrated? |
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Sstalwar,
I've owned Merlin TSM speakers and loved them for jazz but not so much for orchestral music. I switched to Silverline SR17.5's and am very pleased with how they handle both genres. The more current Silverline model is the Silverline SR17 Supreme which lists for $6000. That's more than the Merlin TSM's, but less than the Micro Utopia - if I am thinking of the correct Focal speaker. If the Silverline is available in your area, you might want to add them to your audition list.
Also, my amplifiers are Rogue Audio M180 monoblocks which I run in triode. I am very happy Silverline/Rogue combination. |
Sstalwar,
I wanted to add that the reason I suggested Silverline is that in an earlier post someone had suggested Dynaudio speakers to you, and Silverline makes excellent use of Dynaudio drivers. |
Sstalwar: One more thing: Upon reading your original post again, I realized that you were not clear if you were interested in Merlin TSM or VSM speakers. I had assumed that you were interested in the TSM speaker since you were considering the smaller Focal speakers. If you are indeed considering the Merlin VSM speakers, I have no experience with them but would certainly think they would be fine for orchestral music. So, please take my earlier comment about the TSM to be strictly limited to that speaker.
If I were considering speakers in the VSM price category, then I would certainly put the Silverline Bolero Supreme on my audition list. |
Bought the Merlin VSM MXe speakers... Not received yet but very excited about the purchase. Firstly would like to thank all the members who guided me make the decision. Also, want to thank Bobby @ Merlin for spending time with me about related equipment matching etc. Picked up used Audio Aero Prima MK II CDP mainly at Bobby's rec. Would like to pair a TVC passive preamplifier (Bent Audio Tap X comes to mind) and an OTL amp (Atma or Transcendent sound). Other option is ARS integrated as we all know is also highly recommended by Bobby. Chime in with your thoughts....while I wait to set these up.. |
Love Bent-TAP, but not with Atma-sphere, the amp is not sensitive enough for a passive IMHO. What does work really well is a passive with the Music Reference RM10MKII ($1950 new, to $1,000 used). I had CAT JL2, Ars Sonum, Quicksilver, Music Reference RM9 & 10, and Pass XA30.5 and Aleph J with the MXe. To my ears, nothing beats the Atma-sphere M60s with the Atma-pre, but for a lot less money the RM10MKII is one hell of a great amp and it drives the Merlins beautifully with its 35 watts. If cash is no problem, Atma-sphere M60s with the MP3 is a world class combo with the Merlins (some prefer the Joule, but I think that is a matter of preference, and quite a bit more expensive than the Atma-sphere combo - though I do use a Joule LA150MKI Signature with my MR RM9s. |
'57,
What are your thoughts on the Master Bam/RC's? |
I'm still waiting for them. I'm thinking 6-8 weeks more. |
'57,
Thanks for the input. I suppose both used ARS and used Bent-Tap/RM10MKII combo are with in my reach. I missed one ARS sold on audiogon for $2k. Any opinion between the two..
Also, curious if Bent Tap could work with Transcendent OTL. I loved OTL with Quad989s and have learnt that Merlins work very well with OTL.
To start with, I have picked up a used TG Audio speaker cables which I guess is not widely popular among Merlin'ers, but read few people using this with Merlins and find it very musical..will see! Any recommendations on reasonably priced interconnects and PCs. |
Sstalwar, congratulations! Once I discovered the VSM's, I was done with my speaker search. Can't imagine you'll be disappointed. Just wondering, did you order your speakers with the Master BAM? The Duelund caps blow the whole thing to a new level. |
Turboglo,
I bought a used pair that came with Super BAM (RCA and XLR). I guess I am going to listen to my system so I can have my reference established and then compare to Master BAM in future. Right now debating between ARS and separates and some decent cables. Bobby did mention that Master BAM (RCA only for lack of space in chassis) with Master networks will take VSMs to a whole different level. In the hind sight, I still wonder if I could use XLR with certain Pre amps more successfully than RCA. I wonder if TVC or AVC preamps might benefit from XLR ... may be more experienced members using TVC/AVC can help. Also, anybody with MasterBAM experience? I am curious too about what the sonic impressions are compared to SuperBAM. |
SsTalwar,
See this thread for a robust, detailed and full exchange on the MasterBam and Master RC networks with the remarkable Duelund caps.
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1260044200&&&/Anyone-using-Duelund-VSF-capacitor-in-Me
Jim |
I have an ARS Filarmonia and love it. I don't have a ton of experience with tube amplifiers, but the combination of this little amp plus the VSM-MMe's with Master BAM and RC's sounds amazing to me. I hear solid-state-like speed and authority combined with the refinement of tubes. Plus, I love the fact that it's small and doesn't get too hot. |
I think the balanced connection is of very minimal, if any benefit, and I don't think you can get an AVC that is balanced - though it can be built at much greater expense. So far, my test have told me that AVC is better than TVC, that is I think the Bent with Slagle is better than my experience with S&B MK1 tranformers.
The Ars is warmer than the RM10MKII, more meat on the bone as they say, and it is a beautiful looking unit. Ultimately, I preferred the transparency and speed of the RM10MKII - can't say which is better, it is a matter of taste. What I like about the RM10, besides sound is that it is small, uses almost no power in idle, the tubes are cheap, and the run for 10,000 hours according to Roger - you also get to play with different preamps. The darn thing works awfully well with a passive pre - Roger sells a Pot-in-the-Box with some old Noble potentiometers for $135!!!, but it would certainly work great with the Bent. I was out of the passive scene for a while, but tried the Goldpoint again and realized the passives with the right amp are incredible, I've decided to play with some more upscale passives including the Lightspeed and I suspect Bent or an Slagle variant again - the Music Reference amps thrive on passives with there low sensitivity. For $1,300 (Passive with a used RM10, you would have one heck of a good sounding system. -Better than the Ars? that is a matter of taste, the Ars is certainly a very, very good integrated. |
Pubul 57'
Thank you for a very informative post. I am positive I would love AVC with RM10MKII. One reason to get Merlin was its resolution and transparency and extremely neutral character. Coming from Quad 989 and OTL amplifiers (..very transparent by nature), I am encouraged to hear about AVC/RM combo's transparency (..I guess more of good thing). TG audio speaker cables are slightly on the warmer side and I think would balance the sound overall. One big plus going a properly designed AVC route is attaining pitch black soundstage and excellent low level dynamics. One question though is, compared to ARS, do you find AVC/RM combo "thin" sounding? Also, any opinion on RM9 vs RM10? Also, which AVC preamp in your opinion is superior?
Again appreciate your insight into AVCs and Merlins. Thanks. |
The Bent/RM10/9 is anything but thin, that word does not cross my mind. The RM9 is a little warmer than the 10, but they are very much the work of the same designer, now 162 watts (on my RM9 SE) or (125 watts on the standard RM9 is still quite a bit more power than 35 watts and I imagine with certain kinds of music (orchestral?)you might notice that power difference - I don't notice it at all on jazz, which is mostly what I listen to. The best AVC? Bent Tap - nothing better in terms of ergonomics, volume control, remote convenience, but I would imagine it would be very similar sonically to some of the other Slagle-centric AVCs, one sold by Dave Slagle directly.... I think I am going to buy one again - the RM10 and a passive just work so well together. Just tried the Goldpoint Attenuator and remebered why I liked passives so much to begin with. Now I will try the Lightspeed Attenuator and a Bent Tap-X. Clio9 has tried both and finds them to be very close in sound, I think the Bent, based on his description sound like it might be a bit warmer, but he isn't using Merlins. |
anybody likes Mcintosh with Merlins ?
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Have had the 7270 with good results but the best SS was an Aaron from the Sovereign guy from Germany.Even a little better than Ayre.Really good.See him at hifi.net...cheers,Bob |
