Merlin owners,any thoughts.......

Brian, I respect and look forward to your posts. Your last statement, "try before you buy is best whenever possible, instead of reluctantly asking for a refund after the fact..." sounds like a pointed attempt to dissuade people from trying either the MAS, SignalCable, or other products from manufacturers/dealers offering trial periods. Am I correct? Why, Brian? I can personally attest to both Stu Wein (MAS/Audioparts) and Frank (SignalCable) standing behind their 30 day money back guarantee offers. I have tried, returned, exchanged and kept products from both these gentlemen, and they have proven themselves to be just that...true gentlemen. Any reluctance to return a product has been completely self-generated, and not due to any pressure from these guys. I believe they offer a win/win proposition, and anyone in the market for products like theirs will do themselves a favor by taking advantage of the trial periods.

Tvad, my point is because people are in most cases reluctant to return something they purchase, or they either don't get around to returning it or don't want to bother... I regret it if you read it as a pointed attempt to dissuade, as I'm aware of the people you mentioned and many others. My post encouraged home trials before money changes hands, a preference...this is different from money back guarantees, which also are very appropriate, although you may see them as the same.

Brian

Brian, thanks for your explanation. I too, would also prefer home trials
without money changing hands. However, these are hard to come by in
my experience. Your point regarding one's reluctance, or in effect
laziness to return an item in a timely fashion is also well taken. Those
who try products with 30 day trial periods have to be disciplined enough
to return the items within the window. Otherwise, there's no point in the
exercise.

I am using Homegrown Audio Silver Lace ICs throughout. One of the great audio bargains IMHO ($210/1m) and so fundamentally transparent. Silver really is the business!