What new amp for my Merlins

Jay, I appreciate that you are asking about which amp to use but besides that, you really should send your speakers for the "MM" and Super Bam upgrade. I just got my SE speakers back and the improvement is astounding. They are head and shoulders better than the SE.

With that said, I have the Joule VZN80 amp and just got a Joule LAP150 pre. Very pleased. If an OTL like that is not practical for you then the Berning is also very good. I haven't heard the ARS integrated but I'm sure it's worth a listen.

Jim

Does anyne have a pic of the Filarmonia in their system?

Get the Dodd Audio 120's, save a ton of $$$$, and fughettaboutit, SERIOUSLY, I have been thru over 35 amos in the past few years, including Joule, berning, lamm, et, JMHO.

I have to join the others in suggesting that you upgrade your speakers before considering anything else.

hi jay,
i have to agree with the people that suggested you have the speakers and bam upgraded. imho, you will get a 50 to 60% improvement in every aspect of the speaker/bam sound. then you can consider the amp and pre amp combination. the wonderful sonic qualities of my recommendations would be more audible too because the speaker system would have less of its own character.
i like the joule la or lap 150 pre and their otls, the vzn 100s. a very organic sound, superb tonality and relaxed yet specific spacial quality.
in a sligtly different vein, the cat pre and jl 2's. this is a more energetic sound but still relaxed and very spacious. you get the best of both worlds here. with the joule the wonderful otl sound and with the cat the best of the transformer coupled style. either is exceptional and i am sure would captivate you.
one more to consider is the ma 1 or 2 from atmasphere. i have heard this amp too and it is very realistic too. so now you have 3 to consider.
regards,
bobby at merlin