Merlin owners, AC or battery for BAM?


I recently purchased Merlin VSM-MM's with the Super Bam, simply wonderful speakers! However, I am experiencing a rather unexpected result in preferred modes of Super Bam operation. I find myself much preferring the full AC mode to full Battery mode (PC unplugged). In battery mode the sound is simply too dark, warm, resonant and lacking in dynamics, the sound is simply blah! In AC mode the sound is much punchier and involving; greater dynamics, more presence and tighter bass. There is also absolutely no loss in refinement, the noise floor seems to be just as low, no issues with grit or grain.
I am simply stunned by these results having heard so many good things about the battery BAM vs. the AC BAM. I can only surmise that all the work I've done with my AC is responsible. This includes dedicated, seperate AC lines for both digital and analog, dedicated grounds and power conditioners; BPT 3.5 Sig. for analog (I plug Super BAM into this) Shunyata Hydra 4 for digital, VH Audio AirSines, Shunyata Cobra and Python VX and Purist Audio Dominus power cords. I'm thinking that my AC noise floor is competitive with Battery mode, and the negative things I'm hearing with the Battery mode are symptomatic of this mode of power.
I recall reading a number of reviews over the years in which battery powered equipment has been criticized for some of the symptoms I'm experiencing, could this criticism be legitimate in this instance? I have also personally experienced some of these same symptoms with a N.E.W. DCA 66 amp I own which further reinforces my thoughts on this.
I'm just wondering if any other Merlin owners have experienced these symptoms, or whether it could be some lack of synergy in my system that is causing this?
I also experimented with different power cords on the Super Bam and this further changed things, ie. I'm thinking a real nice PC here will further improve things, any thoughts?
Equipment:
Perp. Tech. P1A, P3A, Monolithic PS, Modwright Signature mods, Revelation Audio cables, P3A chassis out of case (case adds capacitance)
Audio Logic 24mxl
Proceed CDD
Joule Electra LA 100 Mk. III
Art Audio Carissa Signature
IC's-Cardas Golden Ref., Purist Audio Venustas and Dominus, Ridge Street Poiema
Speaker-Synergistic Resolution Ref FX X2 biwired
Also full room treatments-Echobusters, Doublebusters, RPG Pro Foam and Skylines, DIY 16" tube traps
sns

Showing 8 responses by bobbyapalkovic

hi sns,
if you paid very close attention to the discussions concerning the super bam both on agon and aa you would find that the feelings on the subject are both obvious and virtually 100% in favor of the battery ops. i will say that there is a softening of information in your system and that is allowing the more detailed and less resolved and quiet battery operation to be preferred. the la 100 is certainly less definite sounding than a 150 for example. the 100 was a reference of mine so older merlins were a touch thinner and brighter and the 150 replaced it. the super bam ac ops is better than the old bam's battery ops and the super bam battery ops is a full 30% better than the old. there is nothing wrong here. if you prefer the ac go ahead and be so inclined as it will interface better with some systems. you may also want to experiment with the bam following the the cdp/or in a tape loop or between the pre and power amps.
you might also have the older battery supply in the super bam before we changed over to the 200 mah cells. those batteries did indeed sound softer and that was one of the reasons that we changed them.
there is no doubt that you may find a pc that is even better suited to your system than the stock cord.
work with it, get your system to sound exactly the way you want it to sound. there is no right and wrong here.
just have fun!
bobby@merlin
correction sns,
"i will say that there is a softening of information in your system and that is allowing the more detailed, less resolved and noisey ac operation to be preferred."
this is imho.
regards,
bobby
sns, the 230 mah batteries will have more potential, sound fuller and more dynamic. the 200's are older and probably on their way out. they are 5 years old.
you should also think about the use of a single speaker wire with the merlin lead free jumpers. it would sound better imho. call me about this for an explanation. i would get your wire re-terminated to a single run. it will sound fuller and more dynamic again and the highs more real and precise.
your speakers would sound more continuous and resolved lead free.
paul, when you get your master bam you can have the batteries removed if you want but it does sound better in battery mode if the gear is up to it.
the ac mode sounds fuller and more etched in certain ways but this is 60 cycle noise imho. your electronics is clearer and more distinct than sns's la100. he would know this if he ever gets the la150mk2 i recommended to him. that is his issue and the bi-wire makes the tweeter sound a hair nasal and a little dull. this is just because of the decreased dc resistance allowing the tweeter to play too loudly. easily rectified with my suggestions.
best, b

paul, when you get the master bam and rcs it is my opinion that the sound will get quite a bit bigger, wider and taller. the layering and general expanse will be enhanced so the speakers will be a more convincing on large scale orchestral music. my sound sound room at the factory is large and they now fill it completely. they still have the intimacy but they can sound big when they have to.
best, b
you are right paul. the first thing for all listeners to consider is the size of their sound room and purchase a product suited to the room's needs.
the vsm cannot fill grand central station with sound but then again a speaker that can, will sound terrible in a room that the vsm thrives in. and if bass quantity and extention is the issue, they work well with subs. then you can go larger in room size again.
best, b
yes paul because the power supply is so much more quiet (50 times) the ac and battery ops are that much closer in sound.
b