SS amps for merlin vsm

I've used a Krell KSA 50s, Odyssey monos, TAD Hibachi monos, and a Bel Canto ICE powered integrated, at one time or another. All are good sounding amps and all worked well with my VSMs, but the TADs were probably my favorite (and they were the least expensive, too).

Don't know about Plinius.

Marty

As mentioned above, I've used the TAD (ss) Hibachi monos with great results.

Marty

The Merlins (for better and worse) are more revealing of the upstream chain than any other speaker that I've heard. So.....

You might want to try a tube amp that allows rolling. I've recently been using my VSMs with Prima Luna 6 monos that allow a wide variety of tube choices. I've tried a half dozen different output tube types and the results varied widely. I know that Bobby (and many other folks) prefer the EL-34, but there's a lot of tube sound in the territory betwen that tube and SS.

You might well find that KT88s get you a combination of tube/ss sound that appeals. It will definitely be a more SS feel than EL 34s. I ended up running KT66s (which kind of split the difference between KT88s and EL34s) FWIW.

OTH, you might prefer SS....

Marty