Mid life audio crisis

Welcome to the dark side! Computer based (noiseless/fanless) music servers are an extraordinary value and are quite convenient, with 1 caveat I will list at the end of this post.

I have a setup similar to what you describe in my second system and was so enamored by the sound quality that I began to implement a similar philosophy into my main system.

My second system is (soon to be was) Apple iMac feeding a benchmark DAC1 feeding the PMC AML1. It is in a medium sized room (15 x 18) and has PLENTY of bass. These little speakers can really get the job done. Extraordinary actually. I liked the convenience so much that I was not listening to my main system as much so I decided to implement the convenience into my main system. I like to keep things simple and I'd rather not have to tweak to find satisfaction. I now enjoy my main system (iMac feeding a McIntosh MDA1000 into a McIntosh MC275 with Sonus Faber Amati speakers, Kubala-Sosna cables) with the iMac as the source that I am selling the second system.

As far as the Bryston xover you mentioned, you may want to try it without it at first to see if you can accomplish your goals without the extra cables and hardware. The dac1's rca and xlr outputs are both active so you could run the sub from the rcas and the PMCs from the xlrs, using the volume on both the sub and the monitors to balance out.

Me, I would set the pmc's up in your room, play with placement a bit and let the transmission lines do their thing. You may be VERY surprised...properly placed they reach well into the low 30s and you may discover there may be no need for a sub. Good luck and enjoy yourself, it is a fun setup.

The caveat....I enjoyed flipping records when I got into this hobby a few decades ago, the CD changed that ritual which I discovered that I sortof missed. Now with the computer....its gone! Maybe hang on to your cd player, run it into your DAC1 and then you will be able to have the interaction with the music, besides when friends bring over their music, I don't want to burn it to my computer (bad copyright Karma). Regards.

Keep what you have and add a powered sub like SVS,

Shadorne,

I love dynamics and energy and I value hearing exactly what is on a disk. This has its drawbacks, in that quite a few of my disks sound real bad through the Benchmark.

PMC recommend their SB100 that features the PMC 10" flat carbon fibre & Nomex™ piston driver in a heavily braced and damped cabinet with an effective line length of 2.8m (9ft). The combination of piston driver and PMC’s ATL™ transmission line technology gives the SB100 its outstanding detailed response down to 25Hz with a peak SPL of >116dB

Features
• PMC ATL™ (Advanced Transmission Line) with 2 sections
• PMC 10” / 250mm carbon fibre & Nomex™ piston driver
• 3” Edge wound voice coil
• Matching response for use with AML1, IB1 or IB2 models
• Phenomenal bass response down to 25Hz
• Shallow cabinet – 350mm (13.78”)
• Specifiable 4mm sockets or Neutrik NL4™ input
• Recommended amp power up to 250W
• Activation option with Bryston PowerPac 300™ (SB100-A)

They also recommend using the PowerPac.

Oh and don't mention 'hogs' :-)

Ghasley,

Welcome to the dark side - well thank you ;-) I was pleased to read your views on using the Benchmark with the AML1. I will take your advice on trying the speakers in my room before spending more $$ on a cross over, sub and amp.

Also great point about the CDP.

Tweak1,

Thanks - it is an option to keep what I have plus add a sub, but I think I need to scratch my active PMC itch.

Monty

I have Merlin VSM speakers as well. It looks like you have one of the prescribed/standardized Merlin setups. I can see how you wouldn't have the bass slam you desire. First of all, the kind of bass you seem to want will never come from the Merlins, get one of the subwoofers mentioned above. You could also try an 845 tube based amp vs. the Berning, I suspect an 845 would integrate with a subwoofer better by filling out the lower end on the Merlins. I'm running Art Audio Carissa Signature, Art Audio has just come out with 845 monoblocks, could be just what you're looking for.

I don't see how a pro audio 'sound' would be to your liking over the long run. You already don't like the Merlins because they are too "audiophile and refined," this sounds like exactly the same problem the guy I bought the Merlins from complained about. He couldn't put his finger on exactly what it was he didn't like about them, he only knew he wanted to go over to the 'dark side,' a full McIntosh system. He was suffering from the dreaded uppermidrangeitus that some audio equipment suffers from. The presence region is exaggerated, the center point of tonal balance is the upper midrange. The result is lack of musicality, an analytical sound. All the pro audio stuff I hear has the same affliction, but with way more bass slam, the sound is still way unbalanced.

You need to keep the refinement of the Merlins, fill out the lower mids and upper bass with 845 tubes (perhaps there are other amps), and add some bass slam with JL Audio subs.

Given the TL design of the PMC's it may be wise to stick with their sub. The PMC AML1 are tuned at 5.5 feet TL length which does not match the subwoofer at 9 feet TL length. I am not sure what that does to the phase when you combine two. (bass extension enhanced speakers are generally a bit harder to combine with a sub) Since they are active it is possible that they simply compensate electronically for phase to get a perfect seamless match. Ask your dealer - PMC have an outstanding reputation.