2. amps-preamps
  3. 1296158205

SS for Merlins VSMs?

Is there anyone who has found an SS amp that they prefer to tube amps with their Merlins? I have most recently owned CAT JL2, Atma-spehre M-60, Music Reference RM9 Special Edition and RM10MKII, Quicksilver V4s, and the Ars Sonum integrated (In each and everyone sound terrific with the Merlins). For SS, I did try Pass XA30.5 and First Watt Aleph J, but did not prefer them to my tube amps (I now use Music Reference RM10s - summer; and the Atma-spehere M60s the rest of the year).

So, any great SS sucess stories with the Merlins up against the kind of tube gear I have owned? Or is that just a elusive chase?
pubul57
pubul57 OP
3,712 posts
 
I only owned the Joule LA150 MKII and then the LA150
Signature preamps which I used at various times with the
amps listed in my OP.

While I certainly enjoyed the Joule mono-blocks at shows, I
would say no better than the Atma-sphere M60s which were
also more affordable - I now use an Atma preamp with them. I
went back and forth with the Lightspeed Attenuator and the
Joule preamp with my Music Reference RM10 MKIIs and loved
both combos, so I sold the $7000 Joule and kept the $450
LSA.

If I bought an SS amp I suspect the LSA would not work right
because of impedance problems in most cases, and I would
probably feel the need for tubes somewhere in the chain.
agear
1,353 posts
 
I presumed your LSA would not be in the equation....
pubul57 OP
3,712 posts
 
Nope, might have to go with the Atma pre, or the Joule yet again:(
agear
1,353 posts
 
For me, this paradigm would include a tubed pre, but the Neodio is still an intriguing option. A few friends like the Class A approach, including Clayton, Gryphon, etc. From talking with Bob, though, he has had the Gryphon too and still prefers this new creature.
razmika
45 posts
 
Try the MSB amplifier. Best of both world, IMO.
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