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


Fixing to purchase some VSM-MM's.Was hoping to get some input on cable choices.I have Counterpoint amp.Bobby recommended Cardas Golden Ref.They are too expensive for me at this time.Thanks in advance,Bob
usblues
Go with Audience AU24 cables all the way around. BTW, after talking to Bobby, he also likes these. They are cheaper than the Cardas, but they are a very good match, and very musical.
I second the Audience, a very safe bet and can be found for 600.00 used for a 2-2.5 meter pair.
Thanks guys,Bobby did mention the AU 24's also.I was hoping for 200$.I am not real knowledgeable about cables.I am using Tara Space & Time,they must be 15 yrs old.Does the Usedcable Co. let you try and then buy?Thanks again,I dont know what I would do without this site,Bob
I just realized someone reading this post will say,"He spends 8K for speakers and wants to only spend 200$ for cables".He must be crazy....well,I am now broke,also a Deadhead,and yes,crazy.
Usblues,
So we all stay sane, let's just assume that someday you'll upgrade to the Audience AU24.
For $200, assuming you mean for just speaker cables, you could look into Audiences newer lower priced models, not sure if that is cheap enough. Older Cardas is an option. The best budget cable I've heard is Signal Cable. It's definitely in your price range. Didn't hear them on VSMs, but they are solid product for their price...
Cheers, Spencer
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To Tvad&Sbank,good news,I will contact those people/places as I have 8 weeks to get things started and I like the idea of changing/trying till that ship comes in....thank you,Bob
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Another low price/high performance speaker cable is the $180 eight foot pair from Audiogon member, Greggstraley, which replaced my already excellent value Alpha Core Goertz MI-3, and AG-1 speaker cables.
Currently use with ribbon tweeter/transmission line bass Clements Rt-7, driven by either Aronov LS960I, or Cary SLA70Sig tube amp. When paired with dynamic speakers from Duntech, Spendor, and Platinum Audio, these cables always sound natural, detailed, and full range.
The bargain price of a direct seller gives no hint just how superb is the performance, and the money back trial offer eliminates buyer remorse.
I am using TG Audio power and speaker cables, and Luminous Audio Synchestra Reference i/c's with excellent results on my TSM-M's.
I have heard several of the cables mentioned above, including those praised by 1markr and Listener57... As Tmiddle says and other Merlin owners in the past have said, TG Audio cables and jumpers have been found consistently to work well... Merlins are very revealing, so finding something that works isn't as easy as some might think... disclaimer: I peddle TG Audio, so don't take my word for it...the proof is in the listening... Try before you buy is best whenever possible, instead of reluctantly asking for a refund after the fact, regardless of what the product is...

Brian
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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
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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!