Speaker Cable for Merlin TSM-MM

I third the TG Audio speaker cables recommendation. Less than 1/2 the cost of Golden Ref (I use all Gold Ref ICs) and a little better sounding, to my ear. More solid and open at the same time. I fully agree with Mattybumpkin as regards Audience. Tried them before the TGs and found the AU24s a bit lean and slightly etched in the upper mids/lower highs.

I very recently purchased Merlin VSM-MX with BAM speakers. I intended to drive them with my Parasound JC-1 mono amps (400wpc ss). I suspected this might not be a great match but it only took a short time to confirm my suspicions. Coincidently, a friend just loaned me his Joule VZN 80 tube stereo amp he had sitting around. Can you believe it? WOW! This is a match made in heaven.
I can't get over the difference in presentation. Musicality in spades.
I'm presently using AU-24 speaker cable and temporarily using Acoustic Zen Silver Ref. II ICs on my CDP and TT that I had left over before I did a major upgrade. AZs are terrific ICs but I've been told that the Merlins seem to like copper ICs better.

Thanks again. I think I will go with the Audience cable but as for the pre-amp that is another issue; current contenders are Joule LA 150, Berning ZH270, CAT, BAT (not sure which models) and Audiopax Model 5.

Another cheaper alternative to the Audience: Speltz Anti-cables. The Antis, if tightly twisted together, are very similar to the Au24: The Antis are slightly fuller with slightly larger images, a slightly deeper soundstage. The Au got across more details and had slightly better microdynamics and timing.

I went back in forth over a couple of months in two different systems and in the end decided that I could not justify the cost of the Au24 in my affordable system. Your experience might differ but the Anti are worth checking out. Also, if you do a search on the archive you will find that several people liked both the Au24 and Anti and quite often replaced the Au24 with Anticables.

Anyway, good luck!

Rene

If you listen to Stereovox, I'm sure they will stay for a long time. I have had CGR and AU24.