In Memoriam: Bobby Palkovich of Merlin Music

Yes, I will be offering upgrades... while I am up to speed and can do all Merlin BAM related work (I built/upgraded/repaired BAMs for Merlin from around 2013 on) and things like Master RCs, jumpers - I'm not doing Black Magic upgrades yet.... I had hoped to be, but this past year I have just been up to my eyeballs with other work (service and upgrade work on Joule Electra and Ars Sonum gear - the latter of which I now am the USA dealer/distributor for), consignment sale work (many boomers who are aging are changing up their systems as they move, retires etc - some of the gear like the Joule stuff needs a little fixing/testing/TLC to make sure its 100% before going up for sale too which takes time), and then there is all the minutiae of being a 1 man show running his own full time retail HiFi business!

Anyway, this all my way of saying to the folks looking to do Black Magic upgrades on TSMs and VSMs to PLEASE hang in there... I am getting closer to getting that going. Things like getting a customers amp repaired, or BAM fixed, consignment piece prepped for sale etc however take priority right now. I have spent several thousand on parts, drivers, test equipment, etc during the past 6 months so I can do the upgrade work and make sure it is done to Bobby's standards/specs. I have pretty much everything I need here to service Merlin TSM and VSM speakers. Now if speaker gets dropped and a cabinet gets busted, I can't fix that and there are no spares for something as disastrous as that happening to a speaker (I am not a cabinet maker / wood worker - Just a EE).

BTW, there are no more new Merlins to be had... at then end when Bobby passed there where NO completed (or even partially completed) pairs of speakers at the plant.  The state the company has left in (it was Bobby alone too at the end) was very sad to see.

Rich Brkich
Signature Sound

For all Merlin owners, fans...

I have just started a group on Facebook for folks who own or have enjoyed in the past Merlin speakers. The URL is https://www.facebook.com/groups/1712629472383990/ or just search for Merlin Music Systems Speakers Owners/Fans group. Hopefully I set it up right so that people can click or message me their request to join the group.  I will be postings pics and various info  and it can also be a place for VSM and TSM honors to share their merlin systems or questions. 

Rich Brkich

Horrible news.  Bobby and I go way back.  I have had many of his speakers over the years.  He always referred to me as the Krell Cowboy because of my knack for blowing speakers.  May he rest in peace.

merrill P

I spoke to Bobby many times. I don't think there is anything inappropriate about being concerned about a lot of money. My 21 year old son lost his life on that same day. Not by his own hand but by freak accident. Bobby made a choice to take his own life. Many people don't get that luxary. These people have every right to be upset about losing their money. The speakers were grossly over priced anyway. I always told him that.

@leemark, I think you and Jafant ought to get together!  You have no idea what was going on with Bobby when he took his own life do you?  Also, at the same time, I’m not sure someone about to take their own life feels like it’s a “luxury “.  Ignorance knows no bounds does it?  Idiocy even more so.

His “speakers were grossly overpriced “...Compared to what?  Your Bose?