Since this is sort of a "Review of the Merlins" thread, I thought I'd add my two cents. This is offered as nothing other than the musings of one satisfied customer. I have no connection to the manufacturer, other that a few phone conversations and emails. That said, I would be less than honest if I said that my experience with the excellent customer service offered by Bobby P. has not influenced my opinions.
I have been a consumer of high-end audio equipment for over twenty-five years. I’ve had about seven amplifiers and as many speakers during that time, to give you some insight into my experience level. I have had periods of relative stability in my system, so I do not consider myself a raging gear-head. I’ve listened to a lot of stuff in stores, but I know that this is not the best way to audition gear.
While I am an amateur musician and have good ears, it took me a few years to realize that there’s a difference between impressive hifi and quality music reproduction. There’s only one criterion for me now: Can I relax into the music? If the answer is no, then I’m not interested in the tested component.
For about two years now, I’ve been in the market for new speakers. I’ve been living with excellent two-way monitors by a now-defunct manufacturer called Shamrock Eires. They have been very satisfying. It amazes me that I spent under $1,500 for these (used – new they were $3,000), and to my ears they sound more natural than a couple of $10K speakers I’ve heard. I’ve auditioned about 8 different pair in my home over the past year including Proacs, Harbeths, Zu’s, Spendors, Acoustic Zen, and each time I went back to my two-way monitors. Whether it was room match or equipment synergy, none of the other speakers allowed me to relax into the music.
That is, until the Merlins came home with me. They were an upgraded pair of Milleniums that were on consignment at my local audio exchange. All of a sudden, I started hearing an inner-soul of the music that had eluded me. Hall ambience became a part of the experience like never before. At the same time, everything about my Shamrocks that I love was still there, but with more refinement. I was still tapping my toes, but there was a slight artificial “liveliness” with the Shamrocks that settled down with the Merlins.
I loved them so much that I wanted to optimize them according to everything that I had read online, including the change to no-lead solder and the upgrade of the super-BAM and power cord. Bobby talked me through the whole shipping process and took his time with me as though I were purchasing his speakers new. The cost was quite reasonable. I can honestly say that this was the best customer service that I’ve ever experienced in the high-end audio industry.
Everything is back home with me now and still breaking in, but right now it’s all sounding even better than before. Choral music is simply glorious. I’ve never heard this kind of hall ambience other than in a live music hall or cathedral. Solo bowed double-bass appropriately rumbled my chest. Acoustic jazz has the PRaT that I can’t live without.
The next step for me is to "downsize" to the ARS-Sonum Filarmonia integrated, which I have on order. I'm totally trusting Bobby (and the user reviews) on this one.
The Merlins have clearly stood my personal test and the test of time. Not too many components I could say that about.
System: Naim CDS-3; Rebuilt Lenco L75 tt, Shelter 5000 cart., Origin Live Rega 250 tonearm, Lamm LP2 phono pre, Thor TA-1000 line stage, Art Audio Jota mono-blocks.
