Merlin VSM-MM v. VSM-MX

Thanks all for the helpful information.

Since I'm looking in the used market, I'm trying to gather as much information as I can from sources other than Bobby himself. I realize he has a great reputation for helping folks even if they are not buying directly from him, but out of respect for his time, I thought I'd exhaust all other avenues of getting the info before contacting him.

I will contact him to ask about the passive v. active preamp issue to see what he recommends. Thanks Spencer for that observation.

I'm leaning toward the MM right now only because of budget constraints. However, I am trying to get a feel for how much difference there is between the MM and the MX.

I am hopeful and confident that even the MM will be a significant upgrade from my current speakers (Audes Blues).

Again, thanks.

Aron
Ya gotta post some pics of your speakers. I went to the local "Benz" dealership for color choices. When a bunch of women iI work with couln't decide what color to get, I chose the standard "Champagne". I think I should've tried BMW or Lexus.

FWIW, superBAM has much better bass extension than the older BAM.

CN: I've owned my VSM SE speakers for about 7 years now and should have them back this week from Bobby after doing the MM upgrade. There may very well be some performance difference between the standard and premium finish (I don't know for myself), but I think in the grand scheme of things you'll be better off taking that $1,000 and upgrading some other component. The VSM, regardless of finish, will be one of that last places you'll need to look for enhanced performance. The SE version was already better than the other components I own - and I've got Joule stuff. I've considered getting a premium finish pair but only for it's aesthetics. Don't go into the purchase thinking you are giving something up or *settling* by not getting the MX. If the speakers were *that* fundamentally different with one being much better, I doubt Bobby would offer the lesser version. Think about it, you don't tweak and refine a speaker for more than 10 years only to allow an inferior product to go out the door. Whatever the case, you will be tweaking the sound to taste with cables.

Piano black is what I was considering. Whichever you choose, if you like them, they may be the last speakers you'll ever buy.

Jim

hi coffee,
the ss and tube wiring harnesses went with the millennium models. the crossfield litz harness used now sounds much better on tubes or ss than either of the versions available in the millennium.
jim is correct, both versions of the vsm are ferraris. but the mx version has more cabinet damping due to the extra coats of finish. this centers the mids a little harder which makes the speaker sound a touch more continuous. the more continuous a speaker sounds, the greater the resolution potential so we can cryo two extra parts in the network and change the q circuit value in the hf to take out a hair more noise. the torque setting on the fasteners are then changed to be in better tune with the altered mechanical and electrical damping. for the mx, you will require a more absolute best matching system with a more fleshed out and relaxed character because the speakers have a touch more damping.
the mm version is capable of great sound with a lesser system and the mx is capable of a little better sound but you need a more thoughtful approach to reap its benefits.
thanks b