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Upgrade from Merlin VSM-M to What?

I have a wonderfull pair of Merlin VSM-M speakers, but I want fuller range. I have the balanced/single ended battery bam and it does extend the bass, but not as low as some other full range speakers. I have been lead to believe that my Karan KA-i180 integrated amp could sound even better with fuller range speakers. I don't want to spend a bundle of money. I just purchased a Pioneer 5060HD plasma and my budget for speakers are $1000.00 more then I will get for my VSM-M's. So my hope is for used speakers costing between $4,000.00 - $4,500.00. My thoughts are toward Dunlavy or Eggleston. Shipping these speakers must be taken into account. I do have sub woofers, but don't use them. They are Velodyne servo 1200's. My integrated does not have preamp outs and I think using the subs x-overs in the speaker line would harm the sound.
stereo
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
I'm not sure what is involved in the MX update, but the BBAM upgrade sounds like a whole new line stage or source component. The BBAM is an op-amp based design, and op amps require a top notch battery source in order to lose their synthetic and unfocused quality. The BBAM upgrade improves upon the batteries and voltage regulation stage.

Dave
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
the speakers will give plenty of bass if you use them the way they were designed to be used. they are also very indicative of the gear that precedes them so if the amp sounds less full then that is the way they will sound. the same can be said for the wires and sources. i have not heard your amp but certainly an mm speaker mod and super bam mod would do a lot to help you go in the direction you want to go in.
bobby@merlin
stereo OP
147 posts
 
My amp outputs over 200 watts into 8 ohms with pure class A to 75% of the max output. A damping factor of 2500:1 and 72 Joules of stored energy per channel. The bass control is fantastic and the Karan loves the Merlin VSM speakers. I can't overstate enough about the Karan integrated quality! My music taste is old Genesis (pre 1977), Gentle Giant, Yes etc. (head music).
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,379 posts
 
Chris Squire, Tony Levin & Mike Rutherford all vote for the speaker mod! ;-)Cheers,
Spencer
cenline
238 posts
 
After reading all these fine answers, I think that your cables maybe a source of concern.I know the amp and speakers are excellent but also know that they are only passing a signal.A cheap solution would be to try some well rounded cables that have full bandwidth capability.Also one should look into the grounding scheme that the system is utilising.I have found that improving ones ground is a fundemental improvement to the whole system. Also the amp uses the ground as a push off point, like a runner using starting blocks for a sprint.The other thought is that your electrical power maybe suspect, this would also limit the fine Karan in current and voltage. I hope this helps and gives some alternatives before you decide to update your very fine speakers ( I would blame the speakers last).Take care Dennis
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