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Good tube integrated for Merlin speakers?

Hi,

Other than the Ars-Sonum integrated, what is the current crop of recommendations to drive a new Merlin MXe?

The Ars-Sonum is a push-pull A/B amp, so I was wondering if a straight SET integrated would work, and/or something strictly class A?

I'm not dismissing the Ars-Sonum (far from it -- synergy is what this game is about), I'm just looking for alternatives (and the Filarmonia has a rather long lead time, so what do I do in the mean time?) ....

I was looking at Audiomat (specifically the Opera Reference or Prelude Reference 20), the Mastersound (300B or 845) amps, Art Audio Jota or Carissa (I think the PX-25 is going to be woefully underpowered but the Concerto might work), and well, I'm not sure.

If possible, I'd like to keep this under $5k (used or new). Oh, and if it has a remote, that's a really nice feature ....

Separates are fine, but a different conversation -- just looking at integrateds right now ...

Thanks for you input!
socrates7
sbank's avatar
sbank
2,038 posts
 
The Berning ZH270 is a winner w/Merlins. It sounds even better with a preamp, but accepts 2 sources and has a volume control. Lead time/used availability is an issue. Manley Stingray is a good choice, too.
Search the archives, this has been asked many times. Cheers,
Spencer
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
I think Bobby is not particularly keen on SET with his speakers; I had considered that route. I own the Ars Sonum and the Joule/CAT JL2 combo and in the Ars is certainly comepetitive in terms of musical pleasure. I think it will be hard to beat an integrated designed with a specific speaker load in mind - I suspect design philosophies (SET PP Class A Triode Ultra linear, etc) are not nearly so important as excetution. P.S. I have also heard the Stingray is a good match with the Merlins.
brf
1,699 posts
 
" I think Bobby is not particularly keen on SET with his speakers". Don't forget that Bobby voiced his earlier models using SET amplifiers. SET work very well with Merlin, but I would avoid the flea powered SET and concentrate on the 300B family or better yet, the 845 or 211 based sets.

I have heard the VAC Avatar sound very nice with a pair of VSM –Me.
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