Merlin Mil. w/hybrid amps??

Jim, I have been intrigued by the Joules. I have been waiting (a while) for VZN 100s to show up here. I will be patient. Thanks.

Jim and Rich, thank you for your comments. Rich are you referring to the CAT JL2? Also, what do you think of the Tenor 150 stereo hybrid?

Jim and Rich, you both are very helpful. Jim, no, I have not heard the Joules on Merlins. I suspect that if I had I my decision would already be made. There is only one guy who I have found in Chicago who has Joule Electra amps. He has the Grand Marquis. Unfortunately, one of his speakers (Martin Logan) had to go back to the factory for repair. So, I have actually never nneard them on any apeakers.

Jim, yes, there seems to be an extrordinary synergy with the Merlins and the Joules. I wish I could hear it. The show in May is a possibility. Thanks.

Swampwalker, I will email you. Thanks. In the meantime, I hope you post your thoughts on the Berning.

Tubegroover, thanks for the very interesting report. I think that I need to defer my decision until I can hear the Joules and maybe the Berning on Merlins. I will try to get the spring NYC show or see if I can find someone with them who wouldn't mind me coming over for a listen. I live in Chicago but in the next several months I will be in St Louis, St Paul, Ponte Verde, Princeton, and New Haven - just in case anyone knows Joule/Berning/Merlin owners in those areas. Thanks to all of you a lot for sharing your experience. It is a big help. Also, this Tenor hybrid stereo 150 has me so intrigued, I am going to try to hear it too.

Thanks for the invitations guys. I will email you individually with the dates I will be in your areas to check your schedules. Jim, that is very cool that your wife is going to the show with you. My wife loves music. She especially likes to hear it live . However, I cannot imagine ever getting her to the show. Interesting enough, with the parade of equipment of equipment that has passed through my system, the only time she has ever made an unsolicited, positive comment is when she heard the Merlins for the first time. She said "Wow, those really sound good." Since then, instead of just hearing the music through our in-wall speakers, she will come downstairs to our basement, actually sit on the couch and listen to the system with the Merlins. This is high praise, indeed. Funny enough, she asked me if the were available as an in-wall.

Jim, what a blessing. MrPaul, Thanks for the suggestion. I have been to Holm audio many times. It is a cool store. However, they are no longer a Joule dealer. They primarily have Cary, ASL, and Elect.. By the way, David Berning is so busy that he is back ordered until December.