EXPOSURE MCX MONOBLOCKS ALL SOLID STATE
damping factor 103
very good match with merlins all SS
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Bobby,
Write me...I have a new computer, lost your email.
I'm at lrsky@insightbb.com
Larry Staples |
hi gentlemen,
the vsm is slightly rolled in the hf so it will not stick out there. they also sound more continuous from top to bottom than what you have presently. focal's bbc style response (mid range dip) can make the bass sound lumpy and the hf sound thin or pushed. jmtc.
use a good copper speaker wire and a single run with merlin jumpers for the best sound and to balance the hf and lf.
bobby and thanks to us and larry |
Havent heard them.
Seem to hear nothing but good things about them. |
I would second Lrsky and his take on this fabulous speaker.I have had the VSM-MM for 7 years now,cheers,Bob |
Mcpherson,
Bobby hasn't answered...I can.
You'll NEVER hear the tweets in a Merlin speaker...at least not in the 'conscious' part of listening.
I always say, 'The best tweeter I ever heard, I didn't.'
His speakers just span the frequencies smoothly...great 'BALANCE' as you've asked for.
Can't go wrong...very, very smooth.
You haven't heard them?
Larry |
Bobby
What I mean is less forward on the high end. Im not sure if it is my Focals or just that the 918s may tend to be on the bright side? Have you ever compared the 918s to VSM?
Thanks Jayson |
M, what do you mean by balance?
bobby at merlin |
Anyone think there would be a problem running VSM-M with a rebuilt H/K Citation 16 amp?
I am thinking of replacing my Focal 918s with the above mentioned Merlins.
Are they in the same league or am I making an upgrade? I am looking for more balance. |
hi larry, not much i guess.
sometimes i wonder...
:-)
bobby p |
Yeah, but whadda YOU know about Merlins, Bob?
Larry |
tab, the master bam with the new power supply and reduced feedback still sounds better on battery but the difference is closer than ever before. many more use it on ac full time.
pub, yes u can but why would u? the battery opps still sounds best on critical listening. except maybe in a bigger room or to a few here. ac opps sounds slightly reticent in the mids, fuller in the central bass and brighter. bettery opps sound more continuous and focused with more expanse. coherence and truth verses for well executed smaller rooms vs fuller tone and more defintion perhaps for a bigger room.
bobby p |
Tab, in my system, it's hard for me to discern an obvious difference between BAM a/c and battery mode. There is perhaps a bit more relaxed smoothness and realism in battery mode. But I have a good balanced power unit by Equi-tech and I think that brings a/c closer to battery. |
And if you run it on A/C do you actually have to have batteries in the unit? |
I meant to ask "Does" the Master Bam sound identical in a/c and battery modes"? |
Is it the the Master Bam sounds identical in A/C and battery modes? |
s, i will say that personal tastes are a big factor in all of this. when you say the mids are warm describe this please? embodied, forward as opposed to drawn back and leaner?
this is going to be music dependant. what is your preference?
btw, i do not voice any of my speakers. i make them as linear and resolved as i can.
it sounds to me that you like a slightly reticent mid band that will be lightened up to a degree?
bobby p |
Just curious, Socrates, what cabling are you using with the Luxman? What size is your listening room? I've got an ARS-Filarmonio and Master VSM's. Wondering how you would compare the Luxman with the Fila, if you've heard the latter. I'm in love with the sound of my system, but have always wondered how the VSM's would sound with quality solid state. |
I thought the Luxman 590aII with Cardas GR on the VSM-MXR with Master BAM and Master RCs to be way too smooth. Tonally, that amp favors the mid-low end, not the mid-high end, like a Pass or First Watt, neither of which I was able to try with the Merlins. But anyway, switching all of the GR cables over to Clear didn't help. Some folks might really like the sound that I got, however -- I'm happy to concede that. For me, it was like swimming in honey (or a "hot mess", depending on how you like your analogies served up). I felt that I was getting too little detail, the treble was too rolled off and while the bass was very strong, it felt a bit bloated. I worried that perhaps it was the BAM working against the amp, but I whatever it was, I never got it to sound the way I wanted it to.
Ultimately, I found that the Class A/B Luxman amps to be a better match, perhaps as a function of how the Merlin's mid range was voiced, these amps just seemed to make the entire range seem to sit more of a piece. I was able to get extraordinarily strong, solid bass out of the Merlins this way ("shocking" was a word I tossed around at the time, though "best ever" would have done it too), and that was in a large, fully damped room with little or no wall reinforcement (I've since dumped a lot of my damping in favor of a more lively room sound).
Don't take this as a knock against the Class A Luxman amps, though, as I find them to be very fine indeed. And for leaner speakers or speakers that lean that way (if you'll pardon the phrase), that extra bit of warmth and smoothness and tonal density is quite magical.
But for speakers that are voiced warm in the mid range, adding an amp that's voiced warm in the mid range to a cable loom that's voiced warm in the mid range, well, to me that sounds problematic. Someone else might call that heaven, though, so who knows? YMMV. |
s, i think hot mess is a poor choice of words.
i think you want to indicate a specific character don't you?
and again this whole thing is relative to the size of the room and its boundary reinforcement modes as to which one you will prefer. wider bandwidth will tend to relax the mids by comparison which is good for larger rooms. a more chunky sound will be more present which will tend to sound more right in smaller rooms with more boundary reinforcement modes.
jmtc.
bobby p |
IME, the Luxman Class A/B amps are a lot more linear than the Class A amps, which tend to be rather smooth, which is exactly NOT the thing to do to a Merlin and adding Cardas cables into that mix is a hot mess.
I like the Mac integrateds quite a bit. Well, I'm totally fascinated by the chunky dials/buttons and the big blue meters, which I just love, but then, the Luxman has them too, so there you go. Totally my opinion here, of course, but I think that the Luxman has a much higher build quality and wrt the sound, I think Lux has a (significantly) more extended and linear presentation, both in bass and in the treble. Both Mac and Lux have a very fine mid range presentation, however. |
Interesting you should mention the L-505u, on my shortlist for an SS integrated, do you also have experience with the Mac integrated, 6300 or 6600? |
If you're still interested in trying out a great amp on the Merlins, try a Luxman L-505u. Outstanding. |
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i found SOLID STATE audiolab 8000 pre / power ..better than ARS sonum fila se |
COrrection:
The tube in the TAD125 Hibachis is apparently used in the power supply for noise reduction purposes, not the input section. |
I think I've read that there is actually a single long life tube used in the TAD 125's input stage, which might help account for some of it's positive tube like sound traits. |
In addition to Thuan, there is at least one other experienced A'goner I know that has reported very good results with the TAD125/MErlin pairing. And the cost cannot be beat as best I can tell. Plus, being SS, no tube maintenance concerns. What more could one want?
Oh yeah, actual tubes, I suppose. |
I'm second to TAD125 HibachiII - give them a try
Paul has the sale with steep discount. I bought 2 pairs :-)
I try with my VSM-MXe with great result. After all, you can't be beat with $500 a pair TAD125 :) |
I'd like to hear the Tube Audio Design 125 Hibachi 2 amps with Merlin VSMs, if I had a pair. |
Rockadanny no worries! You must like lots of texture in the sound....that was my focal point for the AXPONA set-up. Don DCCA |
Don DCCA - Doh! Sorry for the wrong name. Thank you for correctly describing the gear you used. For everyone else, after re-reading my original thread above, I feel I need to clarify. When I stated, "... but his (supposed) results were hard to dispute", the reason I used "supposed" was only because I had no comparisons with different cables in that system. I did not mean to cast any doubt that the cables were the reason. As far as the results, what I heard, they were wonderful - sounded awesome with those cables. |
masilu, the highs in the mme are transparent to what precedes them. the highs in this version have a very slight roll of so it is not the speaker. the recordings vary a lot, the silver wire you use or the room/set up may be causing this to happen.
if you want to discuss it, call me at 585 367 2390 and i will be glad to help you. i am sure we can get the sound to where you would be happy.
regards, b |
i have merlin vsm mme ... at times the highs are agressive.....one of the reasons silver wires are not recomented with these speakers
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Hi Rockadanny, Glad you enjoyed the sound in our room. We were using a B&K Reference 200.2 amplifier controlled by a Resolution Audio Opus 21 CDP w/volume control. The Merlin's are a great speaker to work with and sound pretty amazing. I do remember the gentlemen coming into the room and talking about the bass performance. The system was at it's best during that time at the show....wished the sound was that good during the entire weekend....you came in at the right time. It does come down to set-up...I spent a good three months tweaking the sound. We will be using an 845 tube amp at RMAF...so if you make out there feel free to stop by and listen to some more music. Don DCCA |
it is the renaissance 3.5 made to my spec.
bobby |
You are correct. I read it in BPs Product News section, but the spec sheet portion does not show that change, still listing Morel. Whatever driver he chose, I'm sure found a way to make it sound "magical". |
I thought the TSMs use a tweeter from Renaissance Audio, handmade to BP's specs? ...which replaced the Morels. |
I think the TSMs use a Morel tweeter; the VSMs use the Dynaudio Esotars. |
Just back from AXPONA in Atlanta. In the DCCA room they had Merlin TSMs set up with B&K Pre and an SS amp that I am sorry to say I do not recall. BUT, the sound was glorious and spooky good. Palpable, organic, deep and wide soundstage, clear, no digital hash, great mid range, smoooooth in the mids and on top without any syrup added. And I know smooth as my EgglestonWorks Fontains use the same tweeter (Esotar) and are driven with powerful SET amps. I do recall that the amp was nothing esoteric (no pun intended).
A gentleman walked in to the room and was surprised to hear how good the TSMs sounded, especially the deep bass, as he has the same speakers but never got them to sound that deep. The DCCA engineer said it was due to his cables (ICs, SC, and PCs), specifically the Power Cables. I'm not sure I can believe him, but I can say the sound was very relaxed and extremely believable, holographic. Perhaps instead of a new SS amp, give DCCA a call and speak with the engineer (Doug?) about his products? He was super nice and more than willing to discuss his cables, or even just music in general. I am NOT a high-price cable kind of guy, especially when it comes to PCs, but his (supposed) results were hard to dispute.
Anyway, just a thought. Good luck in your search. |
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And that's helpful to the OP because.............? |
i think if you want a sound better than atma merlin or jule merlin sound...you may have to change merlins...i think one day you surely will do so :) |
Edge NL10 which sells used for just over $3000. There is a richness and detail in the sound that the Berning ZH270 just doesn't have. |
Hi Pedrillo. I have concluded that while the idea of SS
appeals to me, I will not ever enjoy them as mych as good
tube amps, the latest having been the CAT JL2, Music
Reference RM9, and Atma-sphere M60s. I suspect your Simaudio
will be a very good match. The amp I think would work best,
based on convrsations with Bobby is the BEL1001 amps (he
also recommends the MAC amps with autoformers), but
unfortunately very hard to find now with the passing away of
Richard Brown. The Pass XA30.5 also sound very, very good,
but then I would switch to the Atma-sphere amps, and the
game was over. I think I'm stuck with tubes:) |
Pubul57,
Just wondering if you have created a short list of amps that you come to the conclusion are in the consideration.
I just recieved my mme's and have used simaudio w-5 for the earlier vsm's so I will see how they work together but I too am open to suggestions. I wish my atma's would have been fixed by now my tech guy is changing them to something else and I am letting him, why? I don't know but it may come back better, if not I'll buy another pair and eat the loss. |
Well as you maybe recall, i pondered between the Atmas and the berning. glad i opted for Berning.. |
If it we available for 3-4K sold direct, I would definitely give it a try, or a used ZH270, but $8,500 for a 30 watt Class Amp in one chassis? Could not get over the value proposition there, must be priced to sell as many unit as he can make, a few a year. |
Hi Paul,
Why not try out the new ZH230 - comparing the ZH270 it would always recommend the ZH230, it seems finer, but as quick, and bass is a real strong point in that speaker, when driven by that amp!! (Says I who as a violinist don't care too much about bass ;-)
and I used to have the Sugden Masterclass, but preferred the Accuphase integrated E550. Got rid of it, as it was to shiny..
egidius |
Re: Socrates7's point #4....this may be the exception that proves the rule, but I have a computer-based front end and for $129, I just removed several veils. Pure Music software takes the job of managing the audio signal away from iTunes while retaining its file management function. A cheap and very significant upgrade. |
Bobby, I'd love to hear the Cardas Clear but I don't have the opportunity to audition equipment since I live overseas in a remote area. It would be very interesting to hear them alone first, then to try them in series alternately with the GG Reflection ICs and SR Acoustic Reference ICs I already have in my system. |
