Is 40w int. tube amp enough to feed MerlinVSM

michael,
to get to the bottom of what the issue may be i need more information from you. is it possible that you could call me at the factory between 11 am and 5 pm during the week at 585 367 2390? this is eastern standard time.
i have many questions about the speaker placement, the bam placement, the wires and i am sure i can help. older vsms like your se (and i need to ask you a few questions about them too to find out exactly which ones you have) liked to be used with certain types of amps much more so than the vsm mm or mx we make today.
please give me a call.
bobby at merlin

I have run the VSM SE very successfully with 15 watts of Cary SET amplification and 40ish watts of Dynaco triode amplification. If the bottom end sounds a bit thin with your amp, gradually walk the speaker closer to the wall behind it. You may lose a bit of imaging drama, but the bass will begin to flesh out in a very obvious manner. If your amp is typical of the breed (and in good working order) you should be able to find a pleasing tonal balance this way.

Best of luck.

Marty

PS All of the above is subject to room related issues. If your listening area is unusually large, you may not be able to generate sufficient bass from the VSM SE, regardless of your amplifier.

How big is your room?

Call Bobby! Call Bobby! Call Bob-by!!!

I agree with Martykl, VSM SE is a thin sounding speaker on its own and hence the introduction of BAM. Even if you have them sitting against the back wall, lower mid is still thin unless you hook up some older Conrad Johnson amps to them.

My suggestion is to add BAM.