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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
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

joneill
112 posts
 
SNS,

I don't see it as complaining but rather as you have indicated, attempting to wring the last bit of resolution out of ones Rig. It is what this community on its best behavior does best IMO.

Sharing experiences expands all of our horizons and helps one do that system wide reexamination that can be so important. It is good to have your "status quo" challenged. It is how we grow in life even in audio.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
SNS, one of the reasons the VSMs are among the most "well sorted" speakers on the planet. 20+ of years of incremental improvement on what was a very good idea when it was first designed. When Bobby recommends something, I almost always do it, since he seems to always be right (about his speakers how they will perform best).
joneill
112 posts
 
Paul,

Bobby/Merlin reminds me of that Japanese luxury car ad line from the 90's:" The Pursuit of Perfection". Even after 20 years, he is looking for better ways to skin the cat.

Fun to be his customer for sure.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
One can't help but wonder what Bobby could have done if he chose to make the best 3-way speaker in the world, but I can't help but thinking that three or more drivers (and additonal crossovers) would keep the Merlin magic from happening. The BAM was the real inspiration, it solves the problem of excellent bass (no not the deepest, loudest, most impressive, etc) with the coherence only possible with two drivers (with bass and dynamics that would be very hard to get from an electrostatic). I wonder how many people buyu large, multi-driver speakers for much more $$$ than the Merlins, just be cause they can't believe a modest looking 2-driver speaker could possibly be among the very finest speakers in the world - especially for smaller scale acoustic music - jazz, voice, folk, chamber, etc). The fact that this speaker works great with relatively low powered tubes is just icing on the cake.
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