Good match for Merlin?

Also: what was the effect of the evolution thing on your Ayre gear ? thks.

Lyp,
I have only recently gotten my amp back from Ayre, but what I perceive is an increase in the bottom end, along with a marginal increase in the backround "Blackness". I run balanced throughout, so the backround was always good, just seems like its improved now. My CDP was purchased new with the "e" upgrade, so I do not have any comments on how this changed its playback. In addition, I just ended up going a different route with the speakers (Tara Labs Micro Be's).
Hope this was helpful.
Mark

Try the PS Audio GCC-250 Control Amps and use the balance BAM.

My Merlins (VSM-SE) seem be more sensitive than most to partnering electronics. The only SS amp I've used with them is a Krell KSA 50s. As Duke notes, this type of amp emphasizes the highly damped nature of the SE's bass (I understand that the MM may be less obvious in this regard). However, the end result was still very, very good.

What's interesting to me was the result with SET amps (Cary). While the trade off in the bass was evident - power & extension (Krell) vs. mid bass warmth (Cary), the change in dynamics were most surprising. The "jump factor" went through the roof with the SET amp. I'm not sure why, but it may have to do with an impedence spike at the x-over frequency which is in the "presence" range. (Just a guess).

In sum, I've found that the VSM SE works very, very well with my SS amp, but becomes really special with SETs.

BTW, the VSM SEs are also HIGHLY sensitive to room placement. As you close in on boundaries the reinforcement changes the bass quite dramatically. Currently, I've backed the speakers up to within 2' of the wall behind them. With a modest P/P triode (Dynaco) the tonal balance and dynamics are both wonderful at the cost of a bit of "imaging" drama.

hi efficacy,
if the merlin speakers are used the way they were designed to be used, there should not be a problem. so, lets check these points.
the speakers should be 6 to 7 feet apart, center to center, listened to at 9 1/2 feet or more, use of the alignment tool to set the toe angle so you are listening to the power response of the speaker and not directly on axis. check that you are using a single run of speaker cable on the bottom post first and then my jumper, tighten clamp. my jumper to top post first and then the rc (but check with charlie because i think the ayre amplifier has a zobel on the output so do not use my rc if this is so). no shotgun cables or internal bi-wires should be used where the tweeter gauge is bigger than 15. i would also check with charlie and ask him about his cable, it will sound more relaxed as it is a litz and you may want to try this for yourself. hook the cdp output into the bam and bam into cdp input on pre.
check these things and see how it sounds.
i have heard ayre on my speakers and it is superb.
what are you hearing that prompted this post.
you can respond to me here or at [email protected].

and martykl, the se was very amp dependant. it liked se tubes a lot. the millennium became more continuous and bodied (complete) so it was easier to match with and the mm and mx are more bodied (complete sounding) and continuous again so they are even easier to match to.
the super bam also relaxes the sound (makes it more expansive) and provides much better pitch definition in the bass.
regards to all,
bobby