Top or best amps for merlin vsm


So far from searching the forum these amps have been mentioned most often. In what order would you place them in??
1.Atma-sphere m60,
2.Berning zh270,
3.Ars Sonum Filarmonia,
4.Joule vzn100,
5.Belles 150a Reference hot rod,
6.Simaudio w-5,
7.Music Reference RM9 or RM200,
8.Bel 1001,
9.Transcendent T8,
10.Pass First Watt Aleph j or other pass,
11.Ayre V5x,
Bluecircle 204, Cary Sixpack or V12R, VAC 70/70, BAT, Audiolab 8000,Tad Hibachi,.
Did I miss any?
What Order would you place them regardless of price?
ollirdep
Here are some threads over the years that discussed this topic:
Anyone using Joule Electr VZN100 MKIII amplifiers?
03-06-04
Merlin speaker /Amplifier combinations?
11-04-04
What amp should be used with merlin vsm's?
12-24-04
How much power for Merlin VSM speakers?
02-04-05
Plinius Amps mated with Merlin VSM-Ms?
02-22-05
krell & merlin what next?
04-04-05
CAT versus OTLs and Merlin
04-07-05
Parasound Halo JC1 mono amps and Merlin VSM-MX
11-28-05
What's best for MX's?
03-10-06
What new amp for my Merlins
10-15-06
CAT versus Berning
11-28-06
amps for Merlin VSM-MXE
01-11-07
Atmasphere Novacron MA1.5 amp with Merlin VSMSE
02-15-07
Shindo and Merlin VSM
07-06-07
Stupidgood: Ars Sonum
09-14-07
Merlin VSM and SETs?
12-06-07
Good tube integrated for Merlin speakers?
03-10-08
an amp without "electronic" sound
04-20-08
Leben integrated amps and Merlin VSM
10-13-09
Cary, Cayin or Primaluna EL34 for Merlin VSM-MME
02-19-10
Question for Merlin VSM/ARS Sonum owners
03-28-10
SS amps for merlin vsm
08-04-10
solid state vs tubes
09-21-10
Berning EA-230 vs RM-10mkII with Merlin VSM
01-13-11
SS amp for Merlin VSMs?
01-27-11
Merlin VSM/MMe with Berning ZH-270
11-09-11
Merlin Subwoofer?
12-09-11
Need help with Merlin vsm mme for home theater
02-20-12
Going from latest threads to oldest I started to go through the : SS amp for Merlin VSMs? 1-27-11 thread and found this:

Neodio NR 600 Signature an ss french integrated amp from Bobheinatz who says: It replaced an Air Tight 300b amp and Joule Electra ME300 pre amp and believe it or not its not even close favoring the Neodio
From the next thread: Berning EA-230 vs RM-10mkII with Merlin VSM
I found:

FWIW, I prefer the RM-10

Joule/Manley/Merlin is certainly a great combination too. As is the Ars Sonum if you want to make your life simpler and not miss a beat. Seems to be a few folks that want from a Joule/Joule combo to Ars Sonum without looking back. As you know, the amp/speaker interface is the most important, and in the case of the Ars, you practically have an amp specifically tweaked to work with the Merlins - and yes, those 30 watts are more than enough.

I now have an RM-10 MkII as well and would say its one of the most underrated amps out there
Reading the posts here regarding Merlins are some good thoughts.The cat rapping about his Maggies must be lost but is a decent typist.Bobby usually says stay away from amps with high damping numbers.I've had some of the above and really like the Berning and Ayre.Can't wait to try one of Ralphs also,good thread,cheers,James
I would say try the Atma-Sphere combo. However, if you already have an RM-10 you might be half way there. A former contributor to these forums, Pubul57 used the Atma-Sphere combo with his Merlin's. He also used an RM-10 paired with the Lightspeed attenuator. If you have a single source system this is a great combo. I use it as well, but do not have Merlin's.