Merlin vsm mme owners, Cardas cabling Question.

I think the reason the VSM-mme's sound better to me without the Super BAM may be the single ended, zero negative feedback Inpol circuitry in my modified Pathos TT RR. Both in circuit design and sound the TT mimics an SET amp. I have seen several references online over the years to the VSM's sounding better without the BAM when used with an SET amp. For example: Part 3 of the July 2005 Six Moons.com "Industry Feature" on SET amps ends with a list of SET friendly speakers (see http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/set/set_3.html). This list includes the Merlin VSM but it specifically says "Merlin Music Systems VSM without BAM". It is probably an oddity of my system and particularly the Pathos TT that the VSM's sound better without the Super BAM, and I wouldn't be surprised if VSM owners not using an SET or Inpol amp experienced opposite results. I will report what I hear when I try the Master BAM and RC. As for the GR cables, I did my cable comparisons both with and without the Super BAM. I have also heard the GR's in other systems. The GR's weren't bad in my system, at their price point, and in a different system their synergy with the VSM's might be the deciding factor. But their performance in my system was just not on the same level as the cables I settled on. I will also report what I hear if/when I try the Cardas Clear cables. Not intending to be controversial - just sharing experiences. I also want to be clear how pleased I am with the VSM-mme's. I spent three years auditioning speakers to replace my Ars Aures monitors. Among the speakers that would fit in my small room, the Merlins are the best I've heard. They are world class small room speakers, and are my first recommendation to anyone who asks for advice regarding speakers. Note that a complete description of my system can be found at Audio Asylum, Inmate Systems, under "CBernardino's system". Perhaps there is something else about my system that is contributing to the results I'm getting.

c, 6 moons never reviewed the speakers and only heard them at shows. since se's tend to be lower powered they were concerned about the boost freq and the demands on the amp at the boost plateau. even wavelength posed the same concern. se amps tend to sound rounder and smoother than others so i can see why you may prefer the sound without the bam. it may appear a little more defined, delicate and and less bodied but the additional definition is increased distortion and ringing in the hf. the same thing occurs at the other end of the spectrum. when ever out of band energy is reproduced it appears in the form of im distortion in the usable bandwidth. selecting a superbly recorded coral works will show this quality by smearing the layering and specific nature of the piece. when the bam is used it is profoundly more coherent, less complicated and real sounding.
i am grateful for the wonderful comments that you have made about my work. i am not trying to argue with you but a number of people have felt this way and in the end, changed their minds about the bam. you should reserve judgement knowing that virtually 100% of all the end users much prefer it in the system unless there is some compensating factor specific to their system.
enjoy your system.

bobby p

Yes - the Six Moons piece was an "Industry Feature", not a review.

I will keep an open mind with regard to the BAM, and at some point I will try the Master BAM.

Cellcbern :) you said that right....surely Merlins are the BEST "small room speakers" i agree 100%