I have Merlin VSM speakers as well. It looks like you have one of the prescribed/standardized Merlin setups. I can see how you wouldn't have the bass slam you desire. First of all, the kind of bass you seem to want will never come from the Merlins, get one of the subwoofers mentioned above. You could also try an 845 tube based amp vs. the Berning, I suspect an 845 would integrate with a subwoofer better by filling out the lower end on the Merlins. I'm running Art Audio Carissa Signature, Art Audio has just come out with 845 monoblocks, could be just what you're looking for.
I don't see how a pro audio 'sound' would be to your liking over the long run. You already don't like the Merlins because they are too "audiophile and refined," this sounds like exactly the same problem the guy I bought the Merlins from complained about. He couldn't put his finger on exactly what it was he didn't like about them, he only knew he wanted to go over to the 'dark side,' a full McIntosh system. He was suffering from the dreaded uppermidrangeitus that some audio equipment suffers from. The presence region is exaggerated, the center point of tonal balance is the upper midrange. The result is lack of musicality, an analytical sound. All the pro audio stuff I hear has the same affliction, but with way more bass slam, the sound is still way unbalanced.
You need to keep the refinement of the Merlins, fill out the lower mids and upper bass with 845 tubes (perhaps there are other amps), and add some bass slam with JL Audio subs.
I don't see how a pro audio 'sound' would be to your liking over the long run. You already don't like the Merlins because they are too "audiophile and refined," this sounds like exactly the same problem the guy I bought the Merlins from complained about. He couldn't put his finger on exactly what it was he didn't like about them, he only knew he wanted to go over to the 'dark side,' a full McIntosh system. He was suffering from the dreaded uppermidrangeitus that some audio equipment suffers from. The presence region is exaggerated, the center point of tonal balance is the upper midrange. The result is lack of musicality, an analytical sound. All the pro audio stuff I hear has the same affliction, but with way more bass slam, the sound is still way unbalanced.
You need to keep the refinement of the Merlins, fill out the lower mids and upper bass with 845 tubes (perhaps there are other amps), and add some bass slam with JL Audio subs.