Merlin vsm with BAM between pre and power

audio aero pre is only OK. my audio aero has the pre option too.

id suggest that before you upgrade your merlins, you get good and familiar with what you have/get and then make the move, or not.

i'd also suggest you consider a nice tubed preamp and tube amp to really help with the smiles! for example, perhaps you have ever noticed that ALLmost all electric guitar players uses tubed amps? ever wonder why...there is a reason. ok, i'll give you a hint..the sound! woops, that's the answer.

i've had loads of like with atam mp-3, and even more with mp-1. having the option to tube roll in your pre will also allow you to further fine tune your system to your satisfaction.

good luck

pubul57, indeed. i was VERY happy for a very long time with my m60/mp-3. However, I almost always noticed a certain...something...and well, considering that my taste in music is all across the board, and as i was a sick fool...i mean audiophile, i made the move to the ma-1/mp-1

i thought maybe some headroom was all i was missing with the m60, but with the ma-1....wow!!! all that AND more, heat too! also enhanced experience at lower listening levels.

agree also that the merlins are an easy spkr to drive and most any amp will do.

i've found that "otl watts" need to be aplenty though, for...better...results.

I bet the MA1 are a step up, but I'm not sure I could stay in the same room with it in the summer:)

Pubul57..don't forget that you can always pull output tubes from your atma's, less power, but less heat too! then when you wanna unleash the beast...