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Merlin speakers a new start for me

hi folks.... Long time audiogoner and have not used the form a great deal. I am in mid change over from a home Theater setup to a two channel system. The basic problem is space. Running two systems did not work so I combined what I had and have been running 2 channel.

At the moment I am sort of between systems but what is left includes.

Preamp Classe 5L
Amps Pair Threshold T-200's (Both have been updated by Jon S)
CD is the Dennon 2900
TT is a project
Speakers at the moment are a pair of Revel M-20's
Revel B15
I have a S-30 and a pair of older Paradigm ADP surrounds that are not in use
I also have an older Sherbourn 5/1500 left over from the HT.

My thought at the moment is to keep most of what I have and simply add a hi end pair of monitors, or speakers somewhere between 2-5k. I have been bouncing around between

Merlin VMS M or SE
Merlin TSM
Revel Gems
Thiel 3.6 the 2.4 or even the 6
ATC 20's or 50's

I have been a long term fan of Celestions and had either a pair of the SL-600's or the 700SE's for the past 15 years. So I am both a big fan of a clean image and or a very very good sound stage both of which I got from the Clestions. At this point, I simply feel the Celestions are too old to be reliable.... and I would like something new. The room I am in is moderate in size and has a very very bad suck out around 50hrz so the speakers will likely be used with the Revel handling everything from say 60-80hrz down.

Thought I would ask the form espcially those that know and have heard the merlins. My plan at this point is to keep the Classe/Threholds and the Revel B15. I am not really attached to any of it at the moment as I am not getting all that I think the system can offer.... so any suggestions welcome.

Thanks
atkatana
tvad
9,467 posts
 
You don't mention what kind of music you like, and this info could be
critical to a definitive yes or no recommendation.

I heard Merlins, and based on my music preferences, a sub would've
been required. Since you have a Revel sub, the Merlins might work well
for you, but I'd strongly suggest listening to the Merlins first. On the
other hand, Merlins are fairly popular, and therefore you may be able to
buy a used pair, try them, and re-sell without taking much of a hit if you
find they don't quite work for you.

Also, if you do some further reading you will find that a majority of
Merlin owners use tube amplification (Berning, Joule Electra, etc), and
high end cabling (Cardas). With a purchase of Merlins, you might find
yourself embarking on an unintended upgrade path. That's not
necessarily a bad thing if the Merlin sound is what you're after, but you
would be wise to discover if the Merlin sound is to your liking
before taking the plunge.
sbank's avatar
sbank
2,038 posts
 
Atkatana,
Merlins can deliver clean bass down to 25hz if you set them up correctly. I know, I've measured it in my room. They might not have the mid-bass hump that many speakers do, but the notes they play will be tight and realistic, more so than most other speakers. They won't play an 18hz organ note, but that's about it.
Also, while I agree w/Tvad than many Merlin owners(me included) use tube amps, Cardas cabling, etc., there are also many who use ss amps(e.g. Belles 150, Audio Analogue).
If you go w/the used Merlins, one consideration is that those with the glossy colored cabinets (vs. studio black) offer you an upgrade path to MX. IMHO, you want that upgrade path if MX is currently out of your price range.
The best advice is to call Bobby at Merlin and talk with him about your sonic preferences, and your future plans w/other components, both short and long term. He is also now distributing an Italian tube integrated that is rumored to be an excellent cost effective option for those looking for high quality sound with Merlins. Cheers,
Spencer
usblues
1,216 posts
 
I can see some people needing more bass out of these.I have year old VSM-MM's with modded Counterpoint power and pre and just broke in the new Bam and alittle more bottom would be OK,HOWEVER,I am extremely happy and do get alot of bass,though I have not measured it,to my ears its just fine.They are keepers though YMMV as usual in this sport.Cheers,Bob
atkatana OP
9 posts
 
Thanks for all the information. I do plan to hear a pair of the Merlins first. There is a dealer although he is about an hour and a half from the house.

Music tends to range from jazz, to late 60's rock. Female voice and some new age stuff, such as Morcheba and the like. I seldom go for the hard rock or anything of the sort any longer. Lou Reed, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Yes, Genesis, Tori Amos, Patricia Barber and out to stuff like Cracker's Gentelman's Blues of late.

From what I am seeing here, the Merlins look like they need to be in the mix, so I will have to get out and get a listen. Again thanks for all the feedback.

Drew
bluebull
269 posts
 
Drew

Merlins ...are there any other choices ?

I owned the Revel M20s before my Merlin VSM-MMs.So,perhaps I can give you insight into what a huge improvement the Merlins will be over the Revels.In a nutshell ...cannot compare.The Merlins are in another league.

You will find the following...the Merlins are much less power dependent,much less position fussy(..and I found the M20s to be quite position friendly) and believe it or not ,easier to match component wise.Bass,which is a strong point of the M20s are bettered by the Merlins.Balance and natural tone of the Merlins are not even comparable....

I have a ss int amp matched with the Merlins.I use a Gryphon Callisto 2100( a Danish masterpiece ...)So,ss amps also an option with Merlin,especially the MM versions.Previously I used the Pathos Logos ,which matched the Merlins pretty well.

I use my Merlins for HT,also.Keep your sub for HT applications ,but for music,you wont need it.If not enough bass with music,search for the problem upstream.

The general trend with Merlins are...TSM owners sell to upgrade to VSMs,VSM-MMs sold for VSM-MXs and when VSMs are sold in favour of other brands,its usually for the + $20000 category...

Merlins are excellent speakers,not debateable .

PS:Looking for a great cd player...have a serious look at the Audio Aero Prima Mk II(new Sony based player).I sold my Mark Levinson 37 and 36s in favour of the Prima...
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