Lead free Merlins

1310,
you would have to know what the earlier versions sounded like to be able to give an opinion and i do not know of anyone that had mm or mxs that now have the e-versions in the us. we have many that have mme or mxe versions in the us and they all seem to really like them even with ss. there is a string further down where a fellow with tsm mmes voices his opinion on them (string comparing tsm m and proac res 2), his name is capt.
i know of many in europe that have followed my product very closely for years and have owned ms, mms, mxs and now the e-versions and these people in particular think the e vesions are very superior in sound. i have my own opinion of lead and its effects but that is better discussed in a personal fashion. e-mail me at bobby@merlinmusic.com or call 585 367 2390 during business hours and i will be glad to tell you my feelings on the subject. or you can contact rich at signature sound (richb@sigsound.com) for his thoughts as he follows my work very closely. there will also be an addition to the main page of the merlin site (www.merlinmusic.com) discussing this very point hopefully this weekend.
regards,
b

hi johnny,
hopefully by day's end a discussion will be added to the main page of the merlin website regarding the sound improvements that one can expect from our lead free construction. this is more than just solder as the rest of the components in the networks and the drivers themselves have to be totally lead free. what i hear is a more continuous/complete sound, more room filling, clearer/purer with less fizzle, a more expansive soundstage and superior micro and macro dynamics. the sound is just more right and lifelike with better pitch definition in the bass.
testing different solders, i ended up preferring the cardas tri eutectic tin, silver and copper blend. your preference for a higher silver content is understandable seeing that you have vsm millenniums which are not as continuous sounding as the mm or mx which have cryoed crossover parts.
it is hard to describe but the sound is more continuos and complete which does result is a slightly more present sound quality but it is interesting that it seems more relaxed overall. everyone receiving the e versions (without lead) using ss seems to be having a really great time of it and this was a pleasant surprize for me. but i am still a tube guy.
regards,
b