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Question for Merlin VSM/ARS Sonum owners

Hi all,
What did you have (preamp/amp) before convert to one piece Filarmonia ?
Is this Filarmonia sound that good with VSM?
I currently run my VSM-MXe with Cary SLP-05 with Cary CAD-120S (both are Stereophile Class A rated if that matter) - My CD player is Cary 306-200 - Using Cardas Golden Ref balanced cable thru out system.
Wonderful sounding in short -
Now I have a thought of trying Filarmonia to save some rack space (1 vs 3), cable, and $$ as well
I would like to know what you have before ARS Sonum and your comments
TIA
Thuan
128x128thuan98

Showing 7 responses by bobbyapalkovic

bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
the e34l is a much better sounding tube than the el34. and as for tube rolling, it is really doubtful that you will find a better sounding combination than what is there already. you will only make it sound different and imho, not better. the jan 5814 is a classic.
the e34ls must be a matched quad.
how old is the amp?

b
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
this is perhaps a little unfair because your fila is an older model and not one of the latest which sound a lot better. please keep that in mind.
best, b
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
t, new tubes sockets, new pc board, new chasis, lf golden ref pc, lead free solder, movement of feedback to another part of the circuit where you cannot hear it, gold pin 82 and more. the difference is remarkable.
the old one was no slouch but the new one is much better.
b
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
over the time they have been imported, little by little.
even the early ones are fantastic imho.
i know yours and you are fine.
b
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
t, tube rolling imho may or may not make it sound better but it will certainly change it's sound. think on this, years of r+d have been spent on it. it is a tuned item with those tubes. also, his amp is an older version than yours. yours probably sounds better than his without the effort.
think before you move.
b
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
right you are...
and with the mx-rs and the master bam and master rc's you will prefer what you have anyway. again, imho.
b
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
thuan, but how is the expanse? you had issues with it. the jan should sound wider and deeper and the amperex fuller more forward and closed in.
bobby
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