Merrill VERITAS monoblock amplifiers


I'm about to purchase a pair. Just wondering if current owners are still thrilled with there's? It will be replacing reference Coda 15.0 amp. Any replies are much appreciated!
ptheo
So Dave, all your years in the business makes your OPINION the ONE and ALL the OTHERS are SECONDARY.

Yes, you are entitled to your opinion. But you state your opinions like it they are all knowing. Hell it is in your handle. Oracle!

But I must state again that your ONE opinion vs ALL the others who have traded their ARC, CJ, PASS amps, and so many more brands, for the Veritas amps mean a hell of a lot more the your one opinion. Many of them also have years of experience in audio. Many have spent years tweaking and spent countless hours on vibration control, power conditioning and room treatments.
But even if the did not, does that make their opinion on what they hear any less valid then yours.

["What is the difference between good amps and great? It is the sense of presence, it is their dynamics, it is there ability to create a realistic soundstage and lastly bass control and dynamics."]

Well, I agree with part of your above statement but you leave out so much more that also matters.
Like the reproduction of realistic tones of each instrument, the attack of the leading edge and decay of the trailing, top to bottom interrogation, a top end that just keeps going but is never harsh on its own, a bottom end that never booms or is bloated, but is firm and extended and so much more.
If what makes a great amp great and a good amp only good is only what you mentioned then all amps wood sound the same. And most do.
The above and the following are way a few amps sound great. They DO NOT ADD COLOR to the painting of the reproduction of the music. No rose colored glass to look through.
IMHO that is what the best PASS LABS Class A mono amps do, as an example besides the Veritas amps. Yes there are more but not many. And I am only talking about amps that are not the cost of a new Lexus and above. Say NO more then $20,000. But many can be found for a lot less.
Hi Paul. First I must say you have a very nice system.

["Temporary source- Oppo 95( I'm looking for a tubed CD/SACD player with XLR outputs & a volume control to feed direct to the VERITAS)
Pre/pro- Classe SSP-800
Speakers- Apogee Studio Grands Piano black
Subs- Dual JL Audio 212
Cables I/C- Tara Labs The One 1M
Cables speaker- Audioquest Caldera(Double runs 6' each)"]

I asked about your system not because the Veritas, being a Class D amp might not integrate well into your system but because the Veritas can expose any weak links in your system. Any great sounding amp would do the same thing in your system.

IMHO may I suggest that though the OPPO is a very fine player it is the one to replace. Also you would be better served to go the route of a stand alone DAC and computer and not use a CD player at all.

Rip all your CDs to your computer and do the following.
1) Get a dedicated computer. Mac or PC.
I use a Mac Mini with a Quad Cure, 16GB Ram, solid state hard drive just for the operating system and an external regular hard drive for music storage and playback. Use Firewire or Thunderbolt to connect the XHD to the Mac. Only use the USB on the Mac to connect to a DAC.

2) Get a stand alone DAC. One that uses USB to connect to the computer.

3) Get a DAC that is also DSD capable.

There are many great sounding DACs that retail from $2,500-$5,000 and you can get them for less. If your budget is less then there are a few in the $1,500-$2,000 range that come very close to the others.

Make sure the one you get has XLR outs in case you decide to connect it direct to the Veritas amps.

You can get a lot of info on Audio Circle and Computerudiophile web sites.

By the way, your two runs of speaker wire will serve you well with the Veritas. It will give you a better sound vs just one run.
Sorry for the delay guys, EOM at work is crazy 12-14hr days. Plus I need the cash to pay for the VERITAS amps. The amps will be here Friday! I plan on calling in sick nextweek!

Timlub- The Coda amp is the best amp I have ever owned. It never runs out of juice & is sweet sounding. Example, I have a pair of Mark & Daniel Apollo II’s that have made every amp I owned clip when I wanted to crank it up. Not the Coda 15.0. Also, I live 5 miles from the Coda factory so I can get the 15.0 switched to a 33.0 for no charge! The only other amp I have tried at my house is the Plinus SB-301, great sound amp & can give the Coda a run for it’s money. But MUCH hotter running plus no stand by feature. Always on. The other amps I have owned are(in order) Adcom 5800/Adcom 5802/Classe 200/Classe 201/Parasound A21/Bel Canto 1000M/Classe CAM-200/ Bel Canto 1000M MK-2/Coda CX/Coda 15.0/...VERITAS?!

Guido- Thanks for all the info. I plan on using my Shunyata Python Helix Alpha 1M with the VERITAS plugged in to 20A dedicated circuit. I also have a pair of Cardas Golden REF 26’ pc’s that I will try.

Audiooracle- Appreciate your honesty & I can relate. That is why I sold my Bel Canto’s. Twice. Power galore but sterile. So I really hope all the reviews are true about the VERITAS & prove me wrong & maybe you too. Yes, the Janszen's ZA 2.1 looks like great speakers & a killer deal. I hope to hear them some day.

Yage- I haven’t heard the Anthem M1’s, but remember reading some negative reviews regarding being harsh in the treble. My Apogee’s will reveal that right away.

Hifial- Thanks! I know my system cam be better, but I really enjoy the way it sounds. Yes, I definitely need to invest in a computer so I can download HD tracks. Not the best person with computers but I look forward to the upgrade. Thanks for the tips bud!

BTW, besides the Apogee’s, I also will be trying these speakers with the VERITAS:
Raidho Xtreme’s (MTM design)
Mark & Daniel Apollo II’s
Silverline Grand La Folia’s

Keep the info coming!!! THANKS!