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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
sanjosehan
12 posts
 
Pubul57
Thank you for your answers!

When you are using LSA+ MR10MK2 , you put MBAM between
CDP and LSA with RCA ICs?

I'm considering LSA+M60 .
Then which one do you think is better ?
RCA IC only ?
Or RCA Adapter + XLR IC ?
B.regards
SJ
pubul57 OP
3,712 posts
 
Yes, the BAM proceeds the LSA then the RM9. My only concern with the M60 and the LSA is that the amp requires quite a bit of gain ahead of it as it is not very sensitive amp for full power. Doesn't mean it won't work, but it is a caveat. Clio9 claimed no problem, but his speakers are more sensitive than the Merlins.
sanjosehan
12 posts
 
Thank you for prompt reply.
Your advice is very much helpful.

My CDP Analog output is 2.7V rms , and
Input Sensitivity of M60 is 2.83V (3.0V for S30).

Input sensitivity for RM10 MK2 is 0.97V....

Merlin VSM is 89dB..sooo

It will be appreciated to give me any advice.
swampwalker's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
swampwalker
5,132 posts
 
Sanjosehan- If you are considering the passive approach, why not go direct? CDP direct to M-60 fitted w optional volume control? Takes a pair of ICs and output jacks out of the equation?
pubul57 OP
3,712 posts
 
That would like be even better than the LSA, given the absence of an extra IC, and perfect impedance match. Ralph also uses an extremely well design attenuator - wish I had the opportunity ti try that.
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