Speakers Like Merlin VSM?


I once owned a pair of VSM-M's and regretably sold them. At the time I owned them I spent a good amount on my system and although it wasn't perfect I was never let down by these speakers. Actually they are the best I have heard to date. I once heard my Merlins hooked up to a Berning ZH-270 and it knocked me out.

I'm not real sure I could amass a system like that again but I was wondering..... Who's the new Merlin? I may just have to save up and go for it.

The Merlins with the BAM are just awesome especially if your into vinyl. If any of you live in Texas or nearby there and want to sell your Merlins please send me an e-mail.
avivey
One unfortunate thing of having a Merlin VSM-MM / Joule setup, as I do, is that you sometimes miss out on all the fun - like this thread - because you are not surfing audiogon 24/7 looking for that missing piece of magic that your system needs. Yes, you know who you are. I am prone to being obsessive about my hobbies (I have a serious car problem) and it takes a lot for me to be content, unfortunately. I am content. I have heard the Berning, with VSMs, and it is excellent. If I hadn't purchased the VZN80 for the price I paid I would probably own the Berning.

Will, you should come over for a listen. And you can leave those audiovox cables at your house, thank you very much. I'm off my meds and I don't need any temptation...

Jim
Having been away from my computer for a number of days, this thread has caught my attention, and apparently wandered far from the original question.
Hey Avivey, the answer is that Merlin is "the new Merlin", and that the VSM-MX with Super-BAM continues to take the product to new heights.
Before you plunk down your coin for an older pair, I'd seriously recommend that you try to get a listen to the latest version. If not possible, try to talk w/some who have heard both. You might conclude that the new ones are worth it. My guess is that you'd be happy having made the extra effort. Cheers,
Spencer
I have a thing for watches and finally purchased the patek phillipe I'd been pursuing for the past decade. I am now officially off the merry go round with regards to watches.

The same can now be said of me for audio. I had Merlin TSM's and just bought a pair of VSM'Mxe's along with an ARS filharmonia integrated. I have been buying and selling audio components for the past 15 years and again I am finally satisified. I am no longer pursuing my next component. This is it. Thank you Bobby P.

Now cars . . . that is another story. :)

troy
Avivey, to Sbank's point, it's actually not a bad thing that you sold the VSM-Ms because the MM or MX are a huge step up. They play bigger / louder, yet don't get strained like the SE when you push them a bit. Much more ease. I could not believe the difference from the SE upgraded to MM. Or even from the M to the MM. I've read all of the comments about the improvement but I was still a little skeptical about the magnitude. With the BAM upgrades and the MM mod, it is in fact a different speaker, IMHO. Given how good the speaker already is in SE and M form I think that can be a little unbelievable to some owners. I wish I had had the upgrade done long ago. If you do purchase an older pair just have them shipped directly to Bobby for the upgrade, "trust me".

Ferraris are constantly being improved as well.

Jim
Is 2021 and a year ago I got a pair of Merlin SE and man, do they sing. Using them with some 300b 18wpc monos and a Lamm L1 pre and various sources.

The guy who sold them to me said that they are like microscopes and is true. I never seen a speaker to be so sensitive to equipment and for that reason i like them a lot and Im keeping them as my 9th pair of high end speakers in my collection. These are me daily listeners. 

On another note, I see all those comments above and want to share that people who don't do nothing but talk, often try to discredit the work of someone who is really doing it. B.P really did it with his gear. Respect