Focal Mini Utopia vs Merlin MXe

Love Bent-TAP, but not with Atma-sphere, the amp is not sensitive enough for a passive IMHO. What does work really well is a passive with the Music Reference RM10MKII ($1950 new, to $1,000 used). I had CAT JL2, Ars Sonum, Quicksilver, Music Reference RM9 & 10, and Pass XA30.5 and Aleph J with the MXe. To my ears, nothing beats the Atma-sphere M60s with the Atma-pre, but for a lot less money the RM10MKII is one hell of a great amp and it drives the Merlins beautifully with its 35 watts. If cash is no problem, Atma-sphere M60s with the MP3 is a world class combo with the Merlins (some prefer the Joule, but I think that is a matter of preference, and quite a bit more expensive than the Atma-sphere combo - though I do use a Joule LA150MKI Signature with my MR RM9s.

'57,

What are your thoughts on the Master Bam/RC's?

I'm still waiting for them. I'm thinking 6-8 weeks more.

'57,

Thanks for the input. I suppose both used ARS and used Bent-Tap/RM10MKII combo are with in my reach. I missed one ARS sold on audiogon for $2k. Any opinion between the two..
Also, curious if Bent Tap could work with Transcendent OTL. I loved OTL with Quad989s and have learnt that Merlins work very well with OTL.
To start with, I have picked up a used TG Audio speaker cables which I guess is not widely popular among Merlin'ers, but read few people using this with Merlins and find it very musical..will see! Any recommendations on reasonably priced interconnects and PCs.

Sstalwar, congratulations! Once I discovered the VSM's, I was done with my speaker search. Can't imagine you'll be disappointed. Just wondering, did you order your speakers with the Master BAM? The Duelund caps blow the whole thing to a new level.