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Budget of $30K. Help me build a system

Hi all,

I just got around to unpacking my Merlin VSM-M's from a few international moves and have decided to rebuild since I sold off a lot of my gear in those moves. I have a budget of about $30k. Will be setup in a pretty small room of 14x8

What remained was an Aragon 8003 and a Lexicon MC1. Not really an ideal setup for these speakers.

I'posted in "Speakers" because I am under the impression that is the component you start with and should build around. So looking at upgrade paths I've almost decided on the following:

Master VSM-MXM (sell my VSM-M) $13,600- $2k = $11,600
Ars Sonum Filamonia SJ ESM $4,300
Bryston BDP1 $2500
Bryston BDA1 $2500
Cardas Clear ~$3000
GIK Acoustic treatments $2000
Equitech Son of Q balanced power conditioner $2500
Hi-Fi Racks Podium Reference $2000

Which brings me to $30,400k.

Am I missing anything? Any concerns with the synergy of selected components or do you think they marry well?

Problem I have is I live in a location where I am limited to what I can audition in person. So a lot of this I will be buying deaf...which is not ideal. It also limits me to what I can buy used since there isn't much of a market here and with shipping and power issues doesn't make it cost effective in most cases.

Thanks for your advice.
blueshirt
joneill
112 posts
 
Blueshirt:

Looks like you assembled a great souding sysyem and all of your ducks are in a row. I'd still give Bobby a call @factory for final tweaking.

Budget for the Cardas Clear wire geoemtry upgrade to your Master BAM. Less than $400.00 upgrade and it is truly the icing on the cake for the VSM Master.

Jim
turboglo
110 posts
 
I have Merlin Master VSM's with Master BAM and ARS-Sonum Filarmonia and Cardas cabling.

All I can say is that, set up properly, you will have a world class system that will bring you many, many hours of enjoyment. I am currently waiting on the very latest upgrade to the BAM (a re-wire using Cardas Clear wire), and I've been told by other customers that it's the icing on the cake.

The difference between VSM-mme's and the Master VSM's is very significant, btw. So I suspect that the leap from the VSM-M's to the MXM's will blow you away.

It's always preferable to be able to audition in your home exactly the system you will have. But I know that's not always possible. Since you're familiar with Merlin, and the speakers are voiced using the Filarmonia, I don't see how you can go wrong.

Bonne chance!
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_684CS37BA/THIEL-CS3-7-Black-ash.html?tp=185

$6950 x 2

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_684SS22BA/THIEL-USS-SmartSub-SS2-2-Black-Ash.html?tp=187

$6390 x 2

Total = 26,680

PX05 Passive Integrator -$500
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
The room size is a bit of a problem, but you are wise in not wanting to lock into speaker selection based on the room. I do think it is essential that you choose the speakers first and work from there in assembling the rest of the system.
There are speakers that are known for their ability to do well in long wall close to the wall applications. Having only 8' to work with is going to be tough, but I have heard Wilson Sophia III's in a room not much bigger and they did really well. Another speaker you might consider for less money is the Dali Helicon 400's. They also do well close to the wall and in fact are designed for that purpose. I don't know if the Euphonia MS4's would be similar in that regard.
devilboy
1,176 posts
 
I've never had the pleasure of hearing Merlins but I do see a lot of Merlins in systems being driven by Joule Electra amps. Don't know if this helps, just my .02.
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