Good preamp with Merlin TSM speakers?

Well Sophia Electric has a stunning little integrate, EL 34's that will light up your Merlins. If your Merlins sound a little bright and forward then you might consider a new pair of speakers. 

re soundsrealaudio. What do you recommend?

pmboyd

Sorry about not getting back with you sooner. I am not exactly sure what you want to do. The deHavilland Ultra Verve sometimes shows up on audiogon. Would you prefer an integrated or would you prefer separates? So the Ultravere would be the statement piece in a very high end system...meaning if you upgrade other pieces of gear your Ultravere will live up to any upgrades you can imagine, speakers, amps etc. 

If you are happy with your set up and just want a smoother more musical sound then you could sell you amp/preamp and go with an integrated. I loved the sound of all the Sophia Electric gear. Japanese triode makes some very affordable integrated gear. 

You can email if you want more " free advice " . I don't sell anything that I am recommending. I did at one time. 

Best
Jim

@pmboyd - I actually have 2 Joule Electra LA-100s.  I would be willing to part with one for about $1K.  Shoot me a PM.

I purchased a Line Magnetic 518IA Integrated about 3 years ago and it has been a perfect match for my Merlin TSMs.  I'm getting bass I had never gotten even with solid state and tone is nicely fleshed out without ever getting anything near syrupy or "golden."  I have heard wonderful things about the synergy between the Ars-Sonum Filarmonia with Merlins, but I haven't heard that combination personally.  All I can say is you really should try the LIne Magnetic.  The amp is $4500 so a bit more than your $2k preamp + Hibachis (and you'll need to budget for some tubes), but you can sell your interconnect between your power and pre and save a lot of rack/shelf space, in addition to having an amazing partner to your Merlins.