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what subs for merlin vsm-mx

hi gang, since i last posted, i have opted against going with soundlabs. i have happily settled on purchasing merlin vsm-mx speakers due to the fact that i may have a chance to go for a house and do a real deal listening room (read converted bedroom) and the fact that i do not want to deal with lugging big gear( for now) i have been greatly impressed with press i have seen the tbi magellan VIIIsu passive sub get as of late. i am seriously considering powering it with a ml 33H:here is the planned gear list:

audio aero capitole cd player
stereo sacd player
grado statement phono cartridge
nottingham deco turntable w/ space-anna tonearm
w/ deco power supply
art audio vynil ref phono preamp
mac mcd205 cd changer
vtl 7.5 main preamp
1pair thor audio tpa-60 60 watt mono tube amps
1pair merlin vsm-mx speakers
tact audio rcs 2.2x (will only use on the subs)
1pair mark levinson 33H 150 watt mono solid state amps (will use on passive subs)
2x tbi magellan VIIIsu passive subwoofers
shunyata or cardas cables (undecided)

this is the planed setup. the only areas i am trying to review are the cables and the passive subs. any ideas for subs? and yes i will run stock electrical(untill i get to winter and sart the room revamp)
audfile74
tomryan
797 posts
 
Lanzahome,

Punctuation would help quite a bit. Kinda got a headache reading your response.

I had TSM-MXs for a while and they really need a warm, musical tube amp. Joule Electra would work nice but, damn, are they expensive. I bet Quicksilver V4s would sound good as would the Dehavilland stuff which can be had used for a decent price. In going the "Merlin route" I ended up with a Joule Electra LA150 II and Cardas Golden Ref wires. All are keepers and I use a Plinius 50wt SS amp with Harbeths. Am happy camper now. However, it took some getting used to a SS amp after nearly 20 years of only tubes.
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
i asked you to remove the ad after you had marked the speakers sold.
i sent you a few messages that you completely ignored.
i also offered to upgrade your bam to a super bam for you with no reply.
and why don't you describe what the listening room was like, you did for me when i e-mailed to ask why you were selling.
i never crossed the line of being a gentleman.
i never do.
b
richards
145 posts
 
Audfile74
I don't have Merlins (I have Selah Incredarray line arrays) but have used the VBT Magellan VIII (~same as TBI) and also use a Tact 2.2x.

The VBTs are really tuneful, agile and quick and blend easily and well with everything I've paired them with. Their only weakness is they don't move a lot of air compared to subs with larger drivers. If your room isn't too big and you mostly listen to jazz, chamber, etc. they may be the best choice around (though I'm not sure a ML 33H is necessary to drive them).

I wanted more 'oomph' in my 24x16x10 room, and I decided to cross the subs higher than my VBTs were comfortable with (though there's a newer version that goes higher in Hz) so I ended up with a pair of RBH 1010s that fit the bill nicely, giving up just a touch in speed and articulation but compensating nicely in air and power.

But I'm now going for broke to try to get the best of both worlds and am assembling a quartet of Linkwitz Dipole woofer cabinets using four 12" Peerless 830500s per side--see bottom of page here if interested:
http://www.linkwitzlab.com/woofer3.htm

I've heard these at a friend's and was really impressed. I used to have Genesis speakers with dipole subs and I really like the way dipoles load the room. Never had as good a bass again--until I got the Tact, which does an amazing job with the bass. Most people don't realize the extent to which the ragged bass humps and dips the room is generating can mess up the sound (esp the mids).

Good luck and let us know what you end up with.
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