Any experience... Merlin+Wadia+Rowland

dkuipers, if that's the case, why don't you search over on Audioasylum (or audioreview) for people's feedback on merlins? "fundamentally flawed?"--that's pretty funny; my guess is you probably like wilson Cubs or Hales (top dollar crayolas!). i've heard $20k speakers that have obvious flaws, but all the flaws my merlins present me with are in relation to my CDP & my AMP. hey NEX_WAVE, try calling bobby at merlin--he'd be happy to talk with you about your setup. i've never met a more responsive manufacturer in my life.

I owned the Merlin VSM SEs for some time trying various things to bring them to my satisfaction. Tubes are the answer. Bobby will tell you what to do. He has always done that with his speakers and it works. They are very admirable speakers, but I don't want to use tube amps. I wouldn't suggest the old VSM SEs with the Rowland even though I haven't heard it. I had the most success with the Joule-Electra Vamp a hybrid amp. But I sold the speakers and bought a pair of 802Ns. I am very happy with these and I don't feel like I am missing a thing without the Merlins. Perhaps the new solid state Merlins would make you happy. I think maybe a Rowland 10 would make me happy. There is one way to find out, isn't there.

Dkuipers I suspect all components are colored to one degree or another what is more important is how they work together. You are not alone in your impressions of the MIT's but I like them in my system and feel that they offer a more realistic presentation of the music. Image placement better bass impact and rather than the highs being rolled off I say more laid back, the music is there its just not "in your face" as it can sound with certain recordings. The HT truthlink cables are in my estimation one of the best values in cable period. Probably something to do with the single crystal casting process. So far as high frequency roll off I can only say I don't hear it. When I get the Trancendent OTL amp in the system I will post further impressions. Are the Merlin’s “fundamentally flawed”? I say the flaws lie elsewhere, and not with the speakers. I suspect the speakers are as Rhyno says neutral and the problem lies in the recordings and the upstream components. At least that is my experience to date. As always, audition first.

First of all...every audio product has some characteristic of it's own. Some closer to neutral than others, but all change the sound in some way...it's physically impossible for them not to. I don't think many people would find completely neutral products too appealing. The Merlins have they're own characteristics...some will like them and some will not. That doesn't change the fact that they're excellent speakers, and I recommend auditioning them if they're in your price range. As far as the $8000 price listed above...I'm not sure if that's correct, but it might be if it icludes a BAMM unit and a premium finish (which is $1000 extra, I think...). I assume Merlin...like every other audio manufacturer...increased their price as demand increased. I've noticed many retail prices increase substantially as the positive reviews, and sales, pour in. Some components have even doubled over the last few years. All you can really do is listen to as many options as you possibly can (in, and under your price range...you may be pleasantly surprised)...you'll eventually find something you love.

As an owner of three generations of Merlin VSM (Gen 3, SE, and now Millennium), let me throw my 2 cents in. The Merlin VSM is very revealing, so it could sound too bright with lesser electronics. As with anything revealing, like Jennifer Lopez's famous dress, it shows off perfection, or lack thereof. But with the right gear, it sounds real and musical at the same time. I prefer driving it with tubes (Transcendent Sound OTL) but with the SS harness for the Millennium model, it sounds great according to Bobby, and I believe him, as the straight-talking man knows what he is talking about. As for the $8K price, it is for the premium finish and battery BAM. I think in order to maintain the high quality, Merlin chose to keep their operations small rather than mass producing their speakers. As such, they only make about 200-300 pairs a year. I know Bobby and Bill have their hands on every pair they make, so you pay for that level of craftmanship rather than minimum-wage worker soldering your crossover. I belong to the NJ Audio Society and get to audition many speakers every month at our meetings, and I would put my Merlin up against many speakers costing much more.