2. amps-preamps
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TSM MMii..........amp pairing??

Recently I purchased a pair of second hand Merlin TSM MMi speakers. I must say I am very excited about the speakers but have hit a few road blocks... what amp to use and the bass response in my room. Originally when I first got the speakers I had an older cheap Onkyo receiver (the sound is kind of dark, very laid back and has allot of bass). On a whim I went out and bought a Yamaha RX- A720 just the hold me over till I found the right amp. The Yamaha allowed me to see a glimpse of the detail, soundstage, clarity the Merlin are capable of putting out, but the sound was just too bright and the bass was horribly lacking. I returned the Yamaha, and went and bought Cambridge DacMagic Plus to serve as my front end pre amp while I try different amps out.
So the first amp I bought and brought home was the Brio-R (Sales man talked me into it). Well the amp, although it sounded good with a pair of ported speakers at the store (can’t remember the name) failed miserably with the Merlin’s. Initially the soundstage with this amp was very wide and airy with vocals, but hi’s were extremely harsh, and bass was even weaker than the Yamahas. I thought about trying the NAD C356BEE, because it’s a little more bass heavy, has a good sound stage, detail, but is not overly in your face. I feel this would be the best option for my listening environment and the type of music I listen too, which is a lot of ambient chill out music. The second option I thought about trying was using a custom built SDS-250C CLASS D AUDIO POWER AMPLIFIER with a Vincent Audio - SA-31 Hybrid Stereo Preamplifier to warm the sound up (has bass control). I am open for suggestions or recommendations for a good amp pairing that won’t break the bank right now.
In the past I had a pair of PMC-TB2’s, biamplified with 4 monoblock flying mole digital amps (incredible detail, holographic soundstage, very dynamic for a small speaker, almost too revealing at times). I’d like to get those same attributes out of these Merlins with less harshness though.
djverne
djverne OP
77 posts
 
Nicodemix

Lol...if I recall you did state that in an email when you sold me these speakers : )
I have considered that but from the online reviews that I have read the "Naim" may not be the best overall solution that includes addressing my bottom end needs.
djverne OP
77 posts
 
So after lots of research I have come to three conclusions

1. I want my amp to be equivalent in clarity, sound-stage,and 3d imaging that I got with Flying Mole monoblock amps and the PMC TB2 years ago. I am happy with that, I have not got the chance too listen to more expensive set ups, but for me I was satisfied.

2. I am satisfied with the Bass output of these speakers with a +6 bass boost from my current crappy Onkyo reciever. This means I just need some form of preamp that gives me that option.

3. I am done with the whole overly critical setup that only sounds good with "acoustic" recordings of some spanish guitarist that no one has heard off.....lol. I listen to classical, techno,ambient,chillout, jazz, and freaken Chris Isaac. With the exception of the latter (mostly any kind of electronic music) has portions of that music that can overly bright or just bad...I don't want to nit pic this, I just want to listen and artificially be drawn in : )

So here is what I think I may try, granted I have spent hours researching each of your guys suggestions (very appreciated by the way)

AMP
SDS-250C Class D Audio Power Amplifier

I feel this is high power equivalent version of the digital...... (don't spit your coffee lol) Flying mole amps I use to have, but with a more warm tube like midrange. $629.99...yes that right

PreAmp

Vincent Audio - SA-31 Hybrid Stereo Preamplifier $ 645.95

---my original idea...but I'm gonna go with my gut and give it a try.
I do appreciate feedback and love reading about each persons set up and there journey to getting it where it is.
robaustin
11 posts
 
I have the TSM MXe speakers. I'm using a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum and am quite satisfied. I typically play CDs and use a Rega Apollo. Also a Sonos for Apple Lossless.
steveaudio
331 posts
 
"I’d like to get those same attributes out of these Merlins with less harshness though."

It's hard for me to imagine Merlins sounding harsh, but to say again what others have said, they do like tubes. (It's part of the whole point of Merlins, IMO, that they're "tube friendly" & don't need a huge amount of power).

Also, trying to use way lesser (SS) components like Yamaha, NAD, & Onkyo, is kind of a waste of such excellent speakers. I used my TSM-M's with a VTL 2.5 preamp & an ARC VT100 power amp..... You've made a big leap upwards with the speakers (to "high end"), but now your other components have to be of equal quality.....

Good luck!
hew's avatar
hew
159 posts
 
Wasn't the TSM-MXE designed for tube amps and the TSM-MMI (owned by the OP) for SS amps?
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