Speakers Like Merlin VSM?

I second Jamesw20 on all levels.Though this thread is about sound,loyalty counts in the arena of satisfaction and thanks to Bobby,many of us are enjoying daily his brand of thinking,thanks,Bob

I believe Fiddler's comments hit the nail DIRECTLY on the head. There are WAY too many variables involved in our pursuit to allow for reliable black and white assessments MOST of the time.

I feel deeply for every manufacturer that has had their livelyhood affected by erroneous conclusions aired irresponsibly. I'm not saying that audiophiles shouldn't voice their impressions, I just feel that we need to do so in a highly sensitive and responsible manner.

"I've heard this exact combination (VSM-MM with the ZH-270) & I cannot say anything good about it!!
All I can say is that it had good sound but zero music."

Bombaywalla this comment is what elicited Bobby's response and mine as well. Read it once read it twice. You wrote the same thing before in another thread with similar responses from myself and others. The thing about "good sound" vs "zero music" is the thing that jumps right off the page. Your comments are not measured, they do not provide any further information or insight as to what may have been the problem with what you were hearing. What type of music, the room, the set-up etc.

"Zero music" read it Bombaywalla, what do you mean when you write this? It sounds like some audiophile way of offering the ultimate insult to get across your message that you didn't like the combo in no uncertain terms without any other considerations as to why. This aside from the fact that it still may not be your particular cup of tea. It is absolute in its context, there is no redemption possible, it is contrary to the experience of many others.

As far as immaturity goes, I think that maybe YOU might look at your own comments overall. It seems you relish being absolute in your assessments without offering a bit of insight which seems arrogant to me. My rebuttal to your comments are not to change your mind but to make others that are reading yours to realize that there are other perspectives with deeper experience with these products. One that knows that a system with either of these calipre components requires careful balancing to bring it all together. This was Bobby's point clearly. A highly resolving component matched with the wrong component can make things much worse in a given system than would be noticed in a more forgiving system. Fiddler's post points this out clearly. Things ARE NOT always as black and white as you have painted it.

So far as the GMA's go, I heard a pair years ago mated with VAC electronics and it was a very engaging system.

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.