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Have you heard the latest Merlin VSM-MXe speakers?

Have you heard the latest Merlin VSM-MXe Speakers? — "Wow!!!" That's what I said after setting up these wonderful and beautiful speakers and listening for about one minute to a very familiar CD. I mean straight out of the box with only about 8 hours of playing time at the factory they simply overwhelmed me! Where have they been all my audiophile life? Why did I not find Bobby Palkovic's masterpiece before now?

How could he make this kind of music with two drivers in not so big, but absolutely drop-dead gorgeous piano black lacquered, cabinets, and an electronic box called a 'Super BAM'? I don't know! Wow!!! In my 50 years of putting systems together... including such speakers as double KLH-9 and Martin-Logan electrostatics... Fulton Premiers... the biggest of the Magneplaner speakers with the four bass panels... Wilson Watt Puppies with the Whow... and, on and on. Merlin VSM-MXe's are the BEST!

I've had them breaking in for 10 days now, and they have compelled me to listen to one favorite CD after another into the wee hours of the night. They are so musical! They have just the right texture... female vocals have that "slobber" factor... strings twang with all the nuances. They are coherent and transparent... and, oh so dynamic! The soundstage is deep and wide with the right height. And, when you close your eyes they simply disappear, leaving you with the people and the instruments performing right there in your living room. They make music!

Folks, don't ever listen to these speakers if you can't buy them... you will be sick until you can. Bobby, you did it!

I first purchased the Merlin TSM-MMe Monitors about one year ago after a respected dealer told me I should try them. I was totally satisfied with the sound, even though I was missing a little on the bottom end. They are the best monitor speakers I've ever had. But, I kept thinking, "If the TSM's are this good, how could the VSM's be so much better?" So, I just had to see... you know... the audiophile thing.

If you have never had Merlin speakers, the TSM's are a good place to start, and they will wet your appetite. But, just know that one day, as I was compelled to do, you will have to step up and get the big ones. They are complete! You will instantly hear what you have been missing in other speaker systems.

Now, I can sit back, relax, and enjoy the music. It's all there!
Skooks
skooks
dgarretson
2,594 posts
 
Maria,

There is no problem operating with the SBAM between preamp & amp. I have been doing this for years & like you use a preamp to switch between TT & CDP. Just hook it up & enjoy.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Arkio, do you have the Vandersteen 5A?
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Dgarretson, you don't hear a difference running the BAM into a tube pre buffer compared with it running into an amp after the pre? Or are you saying it is good enough, so don't worry?
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
arkio,

no 3 or 4 ways planned.

"I don’t think I want to have to add subs. I think at that price range you should be able to get a decent speaker that can do it all very well."

i really can't offer an opinion on this forum about this because it would most certainly cross the line. if you want to call me at the factory i will tell you what i feel about this and what you may miss. 585 367 2390
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
d, you are are correct of course but imho, the sbam sounds better buffered by the tube line output stage of the pre.
m, using the bam between the pre and power to have multiple functions is still a whole lot better than not using the bam at all. sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
best,
b
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