2. speakers
  3. 1296167706

SS amp for Merlin VSMs?

Is there anyone who has found an SS amp that they prefer to tube amps with their Merlins? I have most recently owned CAT JL2, Atma-spehre M-60, Music Reference RM9 Special Edition and RM10MKII, Quicksilver V4s, and the Ars Sonum integrated (In each and everyone sound terrific with the Merlins). For SS, I did try Pass XA30.5 and First Watt Aleph J, but did not prefer them to my tube amps (I now use Music Reference RM10s - summer; and the Atma-spehere M60s the rest of the year).

So, any great SS sucess stories with the Merlins up against the kind of tube gear I have owned? Or is that just a elusive chase?
pubul57
sabai
2,027 posts
 
I have Gabriel Gold and Synergistic Research ICs in series. As far as I know there is no one doing else who has put these two XLR ICs in series. Without overstating things, the synergy is amazing -- detail, dynamics, sound stage, you name it.
sabai
2,027 posts
 
Bobby, I'd love to hear the Cardas Clear but I don't have the opportunity to audition equipment since I live overseas in a remote area. It would be very interesting to hear them alone first, then to try them in series alternately with the GG Reflection ICs and SR Acoustic Reference ICs I already have in my system.
turboglo
110 posts
 
Re: Socrates7's point #4....this may be the exception that proves the rule, but I have a computer-based front end and for $129, I just removed several veils. Pure Music software takes the job of managing the audio signal away from iTunes while retaining its file management function. A cheap and very significant upgrade.
egidius
106 posts
 
Hi Paul,

Why not try out the new ZH230 - comparing the ZH270 it would always recommend the ZH230, it seems finer, but as quick, and bass is a real strong point in that speaker, when driven by that amp!! (Says I who as a violinist don't care too much about bass ;-)
and I used to have the Sugden Masterclass, but preferred the Accuphase integrated E550. Got rid of it, as it was to shiny..
egidius
pubul57 OP
3,712 posts
 
If it we available for 3-4K sold direct, I would definitely give it a try, or a used ZH270, but $8,500 for a 30 watt Class Amp in one chassis? Could not get over the value proposition there, must be priced to sell as many unit as he can make, a few a year.
More to discover