Subscribing to this thread. Longtime TSM owner (my reference since 2000!), always taken care of by Bobby and dreamed of moving up to the VSM. I could have finally afforded the VSM now, and I feel totally lost without him. He is missed.
One speaker I'd consider is the Silverline Bolero Supreme ($15k). Back when I was writing for Bound for Sound, Marty DeWulf told me the Silverline SR17 Supreme was a big step up from my TSM's. Being a big Merlin fan himself, he would not say that lightly. The Bolero Supreme is to the SR17 what the VSM is to the TSM, to some degree. It's efficient and tube-friendly, so might fit the bill for the OP. I'm going to head up to Alan Yun's shop one of these days to hear it.
One speaker I'd consider is the Silverline Bolero Supreme ($15k). Back when I was writing for Bound for Sound, Marty DeWulf told me the Silverline SR17 Supreme was a big step up from my TSM's. Being a big Merlin fan himself, he would not say that lightly. The Bolero Supreme is to the SR17 what the VSM is to the TSM, to some degree. It's efficient and tube-friendly, so might fit the bill for the OP. I'm going to head up to Alan Yun's shop one of these days to hear it.