Ars Sonum / Merlin TSM-MX???

Vicks7, I own a Joule LA-150 MKII and CAT JL2 (also used CAT SL1 Ultimate, Lamm LL2, and Placette Active). While the Joule and CAT are better overall with all sorts of speakers, with the Merlins, the ARS is as good as it gets.

Pubul57, I've heard the ARS with Merlins, and while it's very good indeed, it's not as good as it gets, even with Merlins. What ever is?

Dgarretson, I agree, it is not as good as it gets, and there are several excellent choices - CAT, Joule, Atmasphere, Ayre (SS) etc. But for $4,000, the fact that is is on the same playing field as some of the top separates is saying something. But your right, I'm not selling the CAT.

Agreed, when value is factored in, I don't think there's any pre/amp/speaker that approaches ARS/Merlin VSM-MX.

dave, i think what paul was really trying to say was that the fila amp is ideal/as good as it gets in many respects.
the amp has less than a 20 damping factor and less than 6 degrees of feedback which are both right on the money for the vsm needs. there is no doubt that there are bigger more powerful amps that will portray large scale/complicated ochestral works in a more convincing manner but on smaller works and less complicated recordings or at lower levels, the fila will be hard to beat because of its electrical properties and the selection of many parts used in or on the amp that match the vsm so well.
just my (and paul's) two cents.
bobby