Merlin vsm mme owners, Cardas cabling Question.

Maybe I am one of those cult-like followers, but I can say first hand that each improvement to the VSM's that I've personally experienced was not at all subtle. I went from upgraded VSM-MMe with leaded Super BAM to a lead-free Super BAM and it was a significant improvement. Then I want from lead-free Super BAM and RC's to the Master versions with Duelund caps and the improvement was stunning.

The fact that the basic design hasn't changed and yet the sound has dramatically improved with each upgrade only proves that the basic design was good to start with.

I will say that set-up is critical with the VSM's. An inch makes a difference. By the way, I'm using Cardas GR speaker cable and Cardas Clear interconnects and I find them to be tonally neutral, yet highly musical. I haven't tried a lot of different of cables, but that's because I'm actually satisfied.

Let me clarify:

No offense was intended by the "cult" reference. I was merely trying to explain how some people have concluded that the VSM won't work properly unless paired with "insert Bobby's choice here". If you search these threads, the product has been criticized for this, as in:
You know, if you buy VSMs, you'll have to ditch the rest of your system and replace it with "insert Bobby's choices here".

I've seen that one and I know that Bobby has, too.
I find it outright silly. I've used more than a dozen different amps with mine, ranging from 300B SETs to high powered SS monoblocks and the speaker sounded terrific (although a bit different) with each.
Sorry if I offended, but I was merely advising the OP that Cardas cables weren't his only choice for the VSM.
I intended nothing more and apologize to any who felt slighted by my choice of words.

Marty

Hi Juancgenao. Just to be clear, I didn't have the GR speaker cables, just the interconnects along with AU24 speaker cables. That being said, with the Stealth cables I find that they do the neat trick of sounding more detailed, fuller, (is that a word... more full?), and relaxed/natural all at the same time.

I never got the term relaxed as it related to music reproduction but when I put my Stealth hyperphono cable, (the first Stealth cable in my system), into my system that was exactly the first word that popped into my head. Relaxed.

There is a nice relaxed natural quality that I find with Stealth cables that I personally like. It reminds me of what I hear when I go to the symphony. I find them to be detailed and full sounding at the same time.

I remember when I changed from my AU24's to Hybrid MLT's a buddy of main with very good ears commented that everything sounded fuller.

I'm very happy with them and for my tastes they're a winner but as with anything in this crazy hobby, YMMV.

Best of luck with whatever you choose.

Marty, no offense taken at all. My comments were more directed at the complaint that the basic design of the VSM's hadn't changed.

Here's a possible explanation of the "cult" phenomenon: I think that some of us appreciate the recommendations of designers because we don't have the resources or the desire to experiment with lots of different pieces. We want to get the most music out of our system, and it's nice to be able to trust someone like Bobby P.'s recommendations. cheers, Glenn

It's funny to see how kooky people get about this stuff. With over 30 years of the dreaded and often incurable Audioselpalitis, I've learned to take every opinion with a grain of salt.

However, I have a pair of TSM-XMr's on order and Bobby has been careful in explaining why he recommends one item over another, including the Cardas cable. His suggestions are well supported by a good number of owners.

Does this mean no other wire or amp or speaker stand works well with the Merlins? Of course not. Bobby has his favorites and others will sometimes not agree with his. As I told Bobby when we initially spoke, I first heard an older set of Merlin TSM's with a very old Creek integrated amp. It was connected with monster cable from bestbuy and fed by a Marantz DVD player. The sound was utterly musical. But Bobby hopes we all would get even more from our speakers and that kind of passion is always welcome.

Cheers,

Rob