Merlin Room at 2004 HE Show in NY

I think the Kharma/Lamm/Walker room was superior. I could find no fault whatsoever with the sound. Of course, you are dealing with some serious money in that room. Everything is the best of the best, and it costs that way too. Lloyd's turntable is otherworldly, and even the Audio Aero Capitole in the Merlin room is nothing in terms of a match for it.

There was not perfect sound in the Merlin/Joule Electra room, but it was very, very good. There was a bit too much bass, which overpowered the room. Slipknot1 felt the room was overtreated, which I cannot disagree with. I felt the bass was plump and plummy. I wondered if the Merlins need a big room, despite their small size. I also wondered if removing the BAM from the equation might work better in that room, but I don't really have enough experience with the speaker to say for sure.

While the sound was superior to what many will ever achieve, I have heard the speakers sound a lot better than this. In fact, I have heard them sound so good, that I actually suspended belief in what I was hearing, and felt I was listening to live music. To be honest, I have never heard better sound, EVER.

Thanks for your response, Bobby. Actually, I did introduce myself to you. We attended on Friday. I mentioned to you that we were involved in a thread on Audio Asylum a couple of months ago, regarding the "coldness" of Merlins, which I found to be way off base.

I stayed in the rear half of the room, and the sound was a bit ripe for my tastes. Your explanation seems valid.

Once again, the sound I heard in February was the finest sound I have ever encountered from a loudspeaker. It transcended what I had come to think was possible from a stereo system. You deserve a lot of credit for turning me into a Merlin lover, and wanting to someday own a pair. As many know here, I am not so quick when it comes to praise for a lot of audio equipment.

Bobby, I hope I don't offend you, but I think my entry point into Merlin will be first through a used pair. I just want to be honest, as I feel it's the best policy. I am thinking that will happen within the next year.

Afterwards, either through upgrade or a new pair, I would love to move towards a more "acceptable" relationship with Merlin.

Thanks again,
Joe

I apologize for not keeping an eye on this thread...

Spencer, hopefully you join us next year. I didn't get much insight on Lloyd's plan for a lower cost TT, but he let me know as I was leaving last month's "unofficial" meeting. As he is intending on attending as many of our functions as he is able, I am sure you will run into him sooner or later. Otherwise, why not shoot him an e - mail or phone call?

Henry_la, the system in which the Merlin sounded so good to me is owned by a gentleman named Mark, and I believe he lurks these parts. It is basically the same system Spencer has - Merlin speakers, Berning ZOTL power amplifier, Joule Electra preamp, with a Cary CD player(Spencer may have a different front end). The sound was more lifelike than I think I have ever been around, and more than I had come to believe possible in a hifi system. There was no hint of bloat or fatness, as I noticed in the Merlin room. The Merlin room was the same dimensions as most on the 6th floor it was on. I am guessing now, but I would say maybe 10' X 15'? Perhaps, someone can give a better estimate...