I suspect the Merlins and tube amps represent a particularly tasty and effective combo.
I've heard Totem Mani IIs for example. Wonderful speakers, but need lots of good SS juice to peak and justify the cost. Dynaudios are similar I believe.
Even the Magico minis when I heard them were running off a top notch VAC tube amp with more tubes in the VTL pre-amp and a $20,000 DCS player (which does some very special things with its DAC technology). How much of the magic was Magico and how much the tube gear? And or the DCS Ring DAC? Hard to say. The combo was very "sweet" though in the best audio sense.
Someday I suspect I will venture into tube amp waters. WHen I do, I think the Merlins will become especially appealing also.
I've heard Totem Mani IIs for example. Wonderful speakers, but need lots of good SS juice to peak and justify the cost. Dynaudios are similar I believe.
Even the Magico minis when I heard them were running off a top notch VAC tube amp with more tubes in the VTL pre-amp and a $20,000 DCS player (which does some very special things with its DAC technology). How much of the magic was Magico and how much the tube gear? And or the DCS Ring DAC? Hard to say. The combo was very "sweet" though in the best audio sense.
Someday I suspect I will venture into tube amp waters. WHen I do, I think the Merlins will become especially appealing also.