Full disclosure: I am a dealer for Merrill Audio products. However, I have been a fan and supporter of
Merrill’s products from my days as a reviewer, well before I began Distinctive
Stereo.
When I first heard the Veritas I was so impressed I put my
money where my mouth is, and purchased 2 sets of monoblocks (so I could bi-amp
my speakers). The Veritas became my
reference amps, and I used them to power every speaker that came through my listening
room.
I recently was able to compare, in my own system, the
Veritas to the Element 116’s. (I did this was a loaner pair; my own pair of
Element 116’s are currently being built, and should arrive within the next few
weeks.) I concur with all that Isaac so eloquently expressed.
The Element 116’s have all the terrific properties that made the Veritas so special
- speed, transparency, bass control, clarity, low noise floor, etc. - but take
them to dramatic new levels. A good as
the Veritas are, the Element 116’s provide a far greater sense of realism, palpability,
and musical flow. While not inexpensive, they will (as do all Merrill Audio products)
compete with products costing far more.
The Element 116’s will work well with other high quality components;
I use them with the Merrill audio Christine linestage preamp and Jens phonostage,
the combination of which is nothing short of extraordinary.
Last, but most assuredly not least, I have also heard the
Element 118’s, though not in my own system.
As great as the Element 116’s are, the Element 118’s bring things to an
entirely new level. (If the 116’s are a
Porsche, the 118’s are a Ferrari). It is
my belief that the Element 118’s will set a new standard for audio
reproduction.
Regards,
Larry Borden
President, Distinctive Stereo LLC
River Vale, NJ
www.distinctivestereo.com
info@distinctivestereo.com
