Merlin VSM and SETs?

Now those Cary's are 50 Watt or so? I was hoping to get away with 16-22 watts if possible. SOunds like high power requires 845 tube or possible 6CC33 - 2A3 and 300B are out of the picture.

I'm using Wyetech Labs Sapphires which use 300B's at 18 watts with VSM MM's and I'm quite satisfied with the sound. I don't listen at earsplitting levels but they will play the Allman Brothers loud enough to drown out my air guitar!

I use the Art Audio Carissa Signatures with the Merlins, this is a higher current iteration of the Carissa, plenty of oomph for the Merlins! Marco points out the advantages of SET's well. The sonic presentation is totally holographic, palpable, I would add immediate as well, performers in the room with you. Bass can be slightly problematic with the wrong partnering equipment, but a proper tonal balance is quite easy to come by.
I have heard the Merlins with the Joule amps quite extensively, and I formerly used Cary SLM 100's with my Merlins. The Joules are nice, but I'm happy enough with the Carissa so as to not feel as if I'm missing something. The Cary's were a bit analytical with the Merlins.

I used Merlin VSM mxe with audiopax 98(SET 30watts), fantastic medium and pristin high, but when I changed toaudio aero capitole PP 55 watts classe A, the sound became most robust , the bass controled and fast, I think melins likes 50 watts or high.

Canadiandog, are the Wytechs PP? Or dual output tubes? That is a lot of power for 300B

Snx, did you prefer the Joules?

Goergemg, that is the concern. You had pretty powerful SET, but ultimately seem to have preferred the 50 watt PP.

This makes me think that the CAT JL2 with 100 Watt Class A Triode, and the Ars Sonum which is mostly Class A and 30 Watts might not be improved upon with SET on the Merlins; without some sacrifice. I would make the move if the there was a signficant improvement in dimensionality without the cautious sense that I would be missing out on the full spectrum bass to highs.

The Art Audio Carissa and Jota have been recommended, but I'm not yet convinced they would offer something better than what I have. The other direction would be an Atmasphere MA-60 or Joule VZN80. But that is another kettle of fish.