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SS amp for Merlin VSMs?

Is there anyone who has found an SS amp that they prefer to tube amps with their Merlins? I have most recently owned CAT JL2, Atma-spehre M-60, Music Reference RM9 Special Edition and RM10MKII, Quicksilver V4s, and the Ars Sonum integrated (In each and everyone sound terrific with the Merlins). For SS, I did try Pass XA30.5 and First Watt Aleph J, but did not prefer them to my tube amps (I now use Music Reference RM10s - summer; and the Atma-spehere M60s the rest of the year).

So, any great SS sucess stories with the Merlins up against the kind of tube gear I have owned? Or is that just a elusive chase?
pubul57
115 responses Add your response
tabl10s's avatar
tabl10s
1,075 posts
 
I meant to ask "Does" the Master Bam sound identical in a/c and battery modes"?
pubul57 OP
3,712 posts
 
And if you run it on A/C do you actually have to have batteries in the unit?
turboglo
110 posts
 
Tab, in my system, it's hard for me to discern an obvious difference between BAM a/c and battery mode. There is perhaps a bit more relaxed smoothness and realism in battery mode. But I have a good balanced power unit by Equi-tech and I think that brings a/c closer to battery.
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
tab, the master bam with the new power supply and reduced feedback still sounds better on battery but the difference is closer than ever before. many more use it on ac full time.
pub, yes u can but why would u? the battery opps still sounds best on critical listening. except maybe in a bigger room or to a few here. ac opps sounds slightly reticent in the mids, fuller in the central bass and brighter. bettery opps sound more continuous and focused with more expanse. coherence and truth verses for well executed smaller rooms vs fuller tone and more defintion perhaps for a bigger room.
bobby p
lrsky
1,118 posts
 
Yeah, but whadda YOU know about Merlins, Bob?

Larry
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
hi larry, not much i guess.
sometimes i wonder...
:-)
bobby p
mcpherson
174 posts
 
Anyone think there would be a problem running VSM-M with a rebuilt H/K Citation 16 amp?
I am thinking of replacing my Focal 918s with the above mentioned Merlins.
Are they in the same league or am I making an upgrade? I am looking for more balance.
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
M, what do you mean by balance?
bobby at merlin
mcpherson
174 posts
 
Bobby
What I mean is less forward on the high end. Im not sure if it is my Focals or just that the 918s may tend to be on the bright side? Have you ever compared the 918s to VSM?
Thanks Jayson
lrsky
1,118 posts
 
Mcpherson,
Bobby hasn't answered...I can.
You'll NEVER hear the tweets in a Merlin speaker...at least not in the 'conscious' part of listening.
I always say, 'The best tweeter I ever heard, I didn't.'
His speakers just span the frequencies smoothly...great 'BALANCE' as you've asked for.
Can't go wrong...very, very smooth.
You haven't heard them?

Larry
usblues
1,217 posts
 
I would second Lrsky and his take on this fabulous speaker.I have had the VSM-MM for 7 years now,cheers,Bob
mcpherson
174 posts
 
Havent heard them.
Seem to hear nothing but good things about them.
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
hi gentlemen,
the vsm is slightly rolled in the hf so it will not stick out there. they also sound more continuous from top to bottom than what you have presently. focal's bbc style response (mid range dip) can make the bass sound lumpy and the hf sound thin or pushed. jmtc.
use a good copper speaker wire and a single run with merlin jumpers for the best sound and to balance the hf and lf.
bobby and thanks to us and larry
lrsky
1,118 posts
 
Bobby,
Write me...I have a new computer, lost your email.
I'm at lrsky@insightbb.com

Larry Staples
masilu
89 posts
 


EXPOSURE MCX MONOBLOCKS ALL SOLID STATE

damping factor 103

very good match with merlins all SS
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