Amp suggestion for Merlin TSM speakers


Decided to keep my Merlins and upgrade power. Presently using a Billie amp, and a Parasound as a preamp. Would like to stick with tubes (integrated or not), but I'm not sure what power would be best to drive the Merlins. Thoughts?

 

troutbum

Every time I heard the Merlins they were on Joule electronics and sounded amazing with them!

I ran Merlin VSM for years, tubes all the way. Push pulls really liked them with EL34, also ran them with 845SET even better. Always great with the Joule amplification as well,  I ran Joule LA100 MkIII pre with all the amps. Not difficult impedance curve with these,don't need much tube power.

 

Depending on voicing you're after you should consider changing out the pre rather than amp. The Joule pre's always good match and Bobby's usual pairing. Joule LA100 series nice, 150 and 300 better, Joule has meat on the bones sound quality.

Signature Sound services Merlin speakers and imports Ars Sonum tube integrateds which I think Bobby was originally importing and using with his speakers.

 

https://sigsound.com/product-lines/ars-sonum/

That said any good pushpull amp in the 15-25 watt range should do just fine with those plenty of choices out there. Synthesis from Italy is another brand worth checking out.

For the past 12 years I’ve used a Manley Stingray II with my TSM MME. They mate beautifully.