Speakers Like Merlin VSM?

Aktchi

I have enjoyed reading your posts in this thread. You have made some valid points concerning manufacturer's and their roles in participating in a thread. Having said that, I don't know too many that put their heart and soul into their products the way Bobby does.

To compare David Berning's demeanor based on Bobby's description as an example of how Bobby might behave himself is kind of like asking a parrot to act like a dove, they're two different animals. Bobby will give you the time of day any time any day. That is, if you call him he is always accessible regardless of whether you own his product or not. Yes, he does engage in threads more than many manufacturers but in most cases to set the record straight or clarify issues.

In this case it seems he was quite offended by the comments of Bombaywalla clearly for the reasons he gave. Think about it, someone invites you over for a listen and you then publicly insult the system in a very obtuse manner. It reminds me of all the "Bose sucks" threads, very smug with nary anything of value. Yes, I'm sure most of the readers of the thread can read between the lines and come to their own conclusions but this is clearly not always true. Many audiophiles, audiophiles in particular, are influenced by what others think especially when it is written down for all to see. I see nothing wrong with a manufacturer interjecting when he sees a foul. You can see from many of the posters in this thread that there is a loyalty here. It isn't just about the product it is about the man. I doubt you know Bobby but I do believe you would have a different conclusion if you called him and discovered what you are missing here. He is a man of strong passion in what he is doing, one who clearly has an interest in the satisfaction of the end user of his products. But he is also realistic in knowing that not everyone will like it and end up with something different, thats ok too he'll help you towards that end.

I generally try to stay out of these kinds of threads as it appears there are those who make a sport over provoking and aggravating others. It's just fun for them. Clearly, everyone is entitled to their opinion when it comes to equipment.
I enjoy people stating why they have one preference or another for a product or combination of products. There is no one size fits all. And, of course there are always various types of constraints whether they be financial, room dimensions, or even the types of music one enjoys. (Remember it's really about the music, folks).
What I find troubling is is when people attack each other personally. To state that someone has a "vested interest" or "personal agenda" just because he he is defending an amplifier of another manufacturer that he respects (and that many people use with his product)and which generally has received universal praise is just plain old provocation. It is not meant to further the discussion in any productive way. Furthermore, for another person then to imply that manufacturers should not get invoved in the threads if they will be "offended" is yet another provocation. The manufacturer who got involved in this thread was defending another product (the Berning), not his product. Certainly, he has the right to do so.
The fact that he later stated that he met David Berning only once further illustrates that the implication by Bombaywalla was entirely without merit. I do believe that Bobby is owed an apology by Bombaywalla for making such an assertion.
Finally, I must state that I am a Merlin owner. I do not own the Berning although I have heard it and I found it to be very "alive" and musical. The amp I currently own with the Merlins are Cary Sixpacs (upgraded and tuberolled) and my preamp is a Joule LAP 150. I like the combination very much. (I would never say that it is "the best" combination for everyone --- although I would recommend it an one avenue one might take if looking in it's price range.)
I have dealt with Bobby and I have had the opportunity to speak with him many times over the past year. He has been very helpful and his level of service extraordinary. He is passionate about music and the product he sells. He calls it as he sees it. He will tell you what other speakers he likes and will advise on other products as well, especially as they relate to his speakers. Ultimately though everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Stating "there is nothing good I can say about it (the Berning amp)" or that it has "zero music" does not tell us anything. What it does do is indicate that the person posting either does not have the ability or inclination to make a compelling case for or against the Berning --- or that his true purpose is to invite discord.
I hope that in the future everyone will be more respectful of this hobby which we all love (and each other) and be more concrete with respect to comments they make on a various product.

To All:
This is the second time I have had to comment on comments about my amp. I am the owner of the Berning amp BW is criticizing. I demo'd it in my home for him and we compared it to his Symphonic Line monos as well as my Sixpac monos. BW thinks the Berning is bright. OK, we each are entitled to our opinion. In my opinion it is not bright. I am very sensitive to brightness. The Berning makes most amps, including the Symphonic Lines and my own Sixpacs sound veiled. It is the most open, clear, and detailed amp I have owned or auditioned. I am speaking from 20+ years in this hobby. As I have stated before, the Berning and Sixpacs both offer excellent musical reproduction. The Sixpacs offer a warmer, fuller sound. Some will not like them for that reason. The Berning offers a more pristine, resolved, leaner sound. Some will not like it for that reason. I like both sounds. That's why I still own and enjoy both amps. Does the Berning sound musical? Yes. Down right awesome (again my opinion) but you have to feed it right. If anything upstream is amiss the Berning will let you know in a hurry. Amps like the Sixpacs and Symphonic Line are more "forgiving" because they don't resolve the details as well. I have heard Bombaywalla's system. I will offer a couple observations from the comparison of the two systems. Bombaywalla's system possesses a lot of mid-bass heavyness (some would call it bloat or box coloration) that initially gives the impression of more bass but tends to make every song sound similar. Not a trait I have, or want, in my system, but some like that sound and should enjoy it. "If we all liked the same thing there would be only one flavor of ice cream." In contrast, the Merlin VSM MX provides much more bass impact without the perpetual heavyness (observed by playing the song called Gaia on the James Taylor Hourglass CD). He likes his system and that is all that should matter to him. I point out these traits in Bombaywalla's system, not to be critical, but to emphasize the difference in listening preferences and environments we each come from. I like the sound I'm getting with my system, he likes the sound he is getting with his system. That's how it should be. It's hard to criticize another's system without criticizing their listening preferences. When we communicate with others in forums like this we should be mindful of our differences and listening preferences enough to realize we cannot make statements that convey to someone else what THEY will like. There are too many variables. You can state your opinion based on your own listening bias (which we should also include in the text) to serve as a "guide" to others contemplating a change to their system. But to convey your opinion as an absolute fact is not a good thing.
As for the Berning amp, some will love it, some will prefer something else. Fair enough. Regarding manufacturers posting on these boards I say: Why not? I welcome all manufacturers (not just those who's gear I've purchased and/or admire). I want to hear from all of them. Their opinions are as good as any, but that's just my opinion. :)

Bobbyapalkovic: ...nothing of any substance is to be taken from black and white comments that have no substance. and if you can't see that, you are just a buffoon trying to provoke this further. if you don't like it...don't read it.

Who is going to decide what is black, white, has substance or lacks it, if not everyone for themselves? OTOH you seem to know just what is what and whoever sees it differently is a baffoon? (To those who have rushed to talk about your graciousness, I can only suggest that a little explanation is called for.)

Now the second part: "If others don't like it, they don't have to read." Communities don't work that way. I can't walk into a church or concert or a museum, behave disuptively, use foul language, and claim that whoever doesn't like it can just ignore me.

A'gon is a community for many and whoever disrupts the atmosphere deserves to be called on that. Your conduct in this thread has gone beyond just expressing your own opinions. You have sought to impose your opinions and judgements on others, and tried to bully them with personal taunts and foul language. That is quite simply not acceptable.

Fiddler; If 99 people out of 100 love something and I am the only one who doesn't, then that leaves me with two choices. I can continue to be a moron and say that I am right and everyone else is wrong or I can step back and ask myself if I could be wrong.

Considering that most people love mass-market junk, I would suggest a little more confidence in your own taste. :) Mercifully, there is no audio product on which 99% people agree, and you probably don't face this dilemma very often.

Wellfed: I feel deeply for every manufacturer that has had their livelyhood affected by erroneous conclusions...

You obviously have a good heart and I appreciate that. However, if you are buying one pair of speakers, no matter who you choose or how, there are hundred others who didn't get chosen and they all need to make a living. Similarly, once we declare something to be "erroneous" it sounds undesirable but who decides what is erroneous? Let people make their own decisions and these things tend to work out on the average.

Aktchi,

You obviously missed the point or avoided the point. Your response is like comparing apples and screwdrivers.

We are talking about peoples experience with EXACTLY the same product, the Berning. The 99% remark I made is in reference to people who have heard or who own the ZH270.

But it's easier to obfuscate than to address the specifics, huh?