SS amps for merlin vsm

For an integrated in your case, I would want to investigate the Blue Circle option.

Or if a pre-amp and mono blocks are an option I'd second the TAD hibachi amp recommendation and pair it with a good pre-amp of your choice.

"you don't generally want a tube amp with a "tough" speaker load, for which SS is better suited."

Agree with this statement but would add not all SS amps are equal in this regard. SOme will drive "difficult loads" better than others.

In general, Class D switching amps and other design aspects aside, beefier SS amps with beefier power supplies capable of delivering more current when needed will tend to do better driving "difficult loads".

I recall Merlins specifically use an optional special circuit called an RC to make their load more tube friendly. That might also help with lesser SS amps, but not sure.

For an easy and inexpensive solution that might challenge most any other, I'd search high and low for a pair of the TAD Hibachi 125 monoblocks to try before dropping big bucks on something else, tube or SS, with the Merlins.