Brooks, I have a Joule Electra VAMP integrated that sounds very good on the VSMs. They show up every now and then used and I have seen a few of the non-integrated version as well. But it has been quite a while. I have a Joule OTL amp and am fairly biased when it comes to the Joule equipment. It's easy to be biased because the Joule stuff sounds so good with the Merlins. Much like the OTL, the VAMP allows the Merlins to flesh out. Which is normally the issue when you put a solid state amp or an amp with a lot of feedback on the Merlins. It's not quite as real as the OTL and the highs are not as extended. It's also not as transparent as the OTL.
But that is all relative. I happen to think the Joule OTL is a great amp and definitely one of the best amps you can buy for the Merlins period. If I had to make due with the VAMP, I'd still be very happy. It sounds better than several other tube amps I have heard with the Merlins.
Another good thing is that when they do come up for sale used they are usually for a good price. I got mine for $1,000. It was $3,800 new. It's a steal. Apparently Jud lost money on every unit he made. The non-integrated version is even less. Match the amp with the Supratek Syrah pre and you'll have better sound than people spending many times as much.
Good luck.
But that is all relative. I happen to think the Joule OTL is a great amp and definitely one of the best amps you can buy for the Merlins period. If I had to make due with the VAMP, I'd still be very happy. It sounds better than several other tube amps I have heard with the Merlins.
Another good thing is that when they do come up for sale used they are usually for a good price. I got mine for $1,000. It was $3,800 new. It's a steal. Apparently Jud lost money on every unit he made. The non-integrated version is even less. Match the amp with the Supratek Syrah pre and you'll have better sound than people spending many times as much.
Good luck.