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Merlin owners, AC or battery for BAM?

I recently purchased Merlin VSM-MM's with the Super Bam, simply wonderful speakers! However, I am experiencing a rather unexpected result in preferred modes of Super Bam operation. I find myself much preferring the full AC mode to full Battery mode (PC unplugged). In battery mode the sound is simply too dark, warm, resonant and lacking in dynamics, the sound is simply blah! In AC mode the sound is much punchier and involving; greater dynamics, more presence and tighter bass. There is also absolutely no loss in refinement, the noise floor seems to be just as low, no issues with grit or grain.
I am simply stunned by these results having heard so many good things about the battery BAM vs. the AC BAM. I can only surmise that all the work I've done with my AC is responsible. This includes dedicated, seperate AC lines for both digital and analog, dedicated grounds and power conditioners; BPT 3.5 Sig. for analog (I plug Super BAM into this) Shunyata Hydra 4 for digital, VH Audio AirSines, Shunyata Cobra and Python VX and Purist Audio Dominus power cords. I'm thinking that my AC noise floor is competitive with Battery mode, and the negative things I'm hearing with the Battery mode are symptomatic of this mode of power.
I recall reading a number of reviews over the years in which battery powered equipment has been criticized for some of the symptoms I'm experiencing, could this criticism be legitimate in this instance? I have also personally experienced some of these same symptoms with a N.E.W. DCA 66 amp I own which further reinforces my thoughts on this.
I'm just wondering if any other Merlin owners have experienced these symptoms, or whether it could be some lack of synergy in my system that is causing this?
I also experimented with different power cords on the Super Bam and this further changed things, ie. I'm thinking a real nice PC here will further improve things, any thoughts?
Equipment:
Perp. Tech. P1A, P3A, Monolithic PS, Modwright Signature mods, Revelation Audio cables, P3A chassis out of case (case adds capacitance)
Audio Logic 24mxl
Proceed CDD
Joule Electra LA 100 Mk. III
Art Audio Carissa Signature
IC's-Cardas Golden Ref., Purist Audio Venustas and Dominus, Ridge Street Poiema
Speaker-Synergistic Resolution Ref FX X2 biwired
Also full room treatments-Echobusters, Doublebusters, RPG Pro Foam and Skylines, DIY 16" tube traps
sns
brooks
55 posts
 
" I have also personally experienced some of these same symptoms with a N.E.W. DCA 66 amp I own which further reinforces my thoughts on this."

Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Don't blame batteries. Maybe it's just the amp that is not dynamic. I have a DCA33 and I don't think it suffers in the dynamics dept. Of course it's a completely different amp than the 66, so it's impossible to make direct comparisons w/o having them side by side. Also because it can only run in battery mode, you don't know that it would sound beter running on ac.
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
correction sns,
"i will say that there is a softening of information in your system and that is allowing the more detailed, less resolved and noisey ac operation to be preferred."
this is imho.
regards,
bobby
sns OP
3,407 posts
 
Thanks everyone. I just got off the phone to Bobby and it appears I have some synergy issues, also I do have the newer 200mah batteries. I will make some cable changes per Bobby's recommendations, and possibly go to the Joule Electra LA 150.
As things stand, I never meant to complain in any way about the sound I'm getting with this system, it is simply wonderful. I would just like to experience the Super BAM using it in the way it was voiced to sound best.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Do the batteries have to be in the BAM if one choose to run AC only?
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
sns, the 230 mah batteries will have more potential, sound fuller and more dynamic. the 200's are older and probably on their way out. they are 5 years old.
you should also think about the use of a single speaker wire with the merlin lead free jumpers. it would sound better imho. call me about this for an explanation. i would get your wire re-terminated to a single run. it will sound fuller and more dynamic again and the highs more real and precise.
your speakers would sound more continuous and resolved lead free.
paul, when you get your master bam you can have the batteries removed if you want but it does sound better in battery mode if the gear is up to it.
the ac mode sounds fuller and more etched in certain ways but this is 60 cycle noise imho. your electronics is clearer and more distinct than sns's la100. he would know this if he ever gets the la150mk2 i recommended to him. that is his issue and the bi-wire makes the tweeter sound a hair nasal and a little dull. this is just because of the decreased dc resistance allowing the tweeter to play too loudly. easily rectified with my suggestions.
best, b

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